For most footballers, an early World Cup exit means a well-earned holiday. For Neymar, it meant swapping the football pitch for the poker tables of Las Vegas.
Only days after Brazil’s surprise elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Brazilian superstar took his seat in one of the toughest poker tournaments of the summer, entering the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em 6-Handed Championship at the World Series of Poker.
It was another high-profile reminder of Neymar’s long-standing passion for poker, a game he has played publicly for years alongside some of the world’s biggest professionals. But while the former Brazil captain has enjoyed success at celebrity events and online, the World Series of Poker proved to be a very different challenge.
Unfortunately for the football icon, his latest competitive appearance ended much sooner than he would have hoped.
From World Cup Heartbreak to the WSOP
Brazil’s World Cup campaign came to a disappointing conclusion after a shock Round of 16 defeat to Norway. Neymar scored Brazil’s only goal from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent elimination.
The emotional defeat also marked the end of Neymar’s international career, with the 34-year-old confirming afterwards that he was retiring from representing Brazil.
Rather than disappearing from the spotlight, Neymar headed to Las Vegas, taking advantage of the short break before returning to club football with Santos.
The timing surprised many football fans, but poker followers were far less shocked. Neymar has regularly spoken about his love of the game and has spent years competing in tournaments, streaming online sessions and appearing alongside some of poker’s biggest names.
A Tough Test Against Elite Competition
The $10,000 Six-Handed Championship is widely regarded as one of the most difficult events on the WSOP schedule.
Unlike larger field events that attract recreational players, this championship is packed with experienced professionals, bracelet winners and high-stakes regulars. Short-handed poker also demands a far more aggressive style, with players forced to enter more pots and make difficult decisions under constant pressure.
For anyone entering the tournament, there are very few easy tables.
Neymar quickly discovered just how unforgiving championship poker can be.
The Hand That Ended Neymar’s Run
Neymar’s tournament came to an end during Day 1 after committing his remaining chips with two pair.
His opponent, Latvian poker professional Vitalijs Korhs, had already improved to trip sevens, leaving Neymar drawing dead before the final community card was even dealt.
The river changed nothing.
With all of his chips in the middle, Neymar was eliminated from the tournament without reaching Day 2.
Because the event was played as a freezeout, there was no opportunity to buy back into the competition.
Poker Remains One of Neymar’s Biggest Passions
Although the result will disappoint the Brazilian star, it is unlikely to discourage him from returning.
Few footballers have embraced poker quite like Neymar.
Over the years he has appeared in numerous live tournaments, promotional events and online streams, often sharing tables with some of the game’s best-known professionals. His enthusiasm for poker has become almost as well known as his football career, helping introduce the game to millions of sports fans around the world.
Whenever Neymar enters a tournament, he brings extra attention from mainstream media that poker rarely receives.
That exposure is something tournament organisers welcome, even if celebrity players rarely enjoy deep runs.
Football Stars Continue to Embrace Poker
Neymar is far from the only footballer to develop a passion for poker after life on the pitch.
Current and former professionals have frequently appeared at major poker festivals, attracted by the competitive nature of the game and the strategic decision-making it demands.
The overlap between football and poker has continued to grow over the past decade, with several elite players becoming regular faces at international events during the off-season.
While success on the football pitch doesn’t automatically translate into poker success, the competitive mindset required in both games often makes the transition an appealing one.
Another Experience Added to Neymar’s Poker Journey
Neymar’s latest WSOP appearance may have ended without a cash finish, but it adds another chapter to one of the most recognisable celebrity poker stories in the world.
With club football now set to resume, his attention will quickly turn back to Santos and domestic competition.
Whether he returns to the World Series of Poker next summer remains to be seen, but few would be surprised if the Brazilian star takes another shot at poker’s biggest stage.
For now, however, both his World Cup campaign and his 2026 World Series of Poker adventure have come to an earlier end than he had hoped.
