WSOP Set Up Special Private Tournament for Neymar

(Photo: Cardplayer.com)

Brazilian footballer Neymar made his third consecutive appearance at the World Series of Poker over the weekend, but played in a private game rather than enter one of the 73 events on the 2017 WSOP schedule.

The private game was a Sit & Go two tables deep that WSOP organizers arranged for the football superstar and his buddies, including Team PokerStars Pros from Brazil, Felipe “Mojave” Ramos and Andre Akkari.

Neymar and fellow soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo were previously affiliated with Team PokerStars as SportsStars until earlier this year when the top poker site apparently decided that laughs and speed were more conducive to their image. Comedian Kevin Hart and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt have since become the newest red spade representatives, with Neymar and Ronaldo apparently getting kicked to the curb.

(Photo: Pokerlistings.com)

KO in Sit & Go

Neymar's Sit & Go appearance this year was not a winning one, unlike last year when he won a two-table Sit & Go and the prize of a $10,000 buy-in to the Main Event. He never did take his seat in the 2016 ME, much to the dismay of poker and soccer fans everywhere.

In 2015, Neymar also made an appearance at the WSOP in Las Vegas after having aligned himself with PokerStars earlier in the year. He surveyed the action at the RIO All Suites Hotel and Casino without entering any of the scheduled events, Poker Listings reported.

(Photo: WSOP.com)

A Hollywood Goal

Neymar appeared on Jimmy Kimmel's late night talk show earlier this month and showed off his goal scoring skills from atop the roof of the ABC studios. With Kimmel's diminutive sidekick Guillermo playing goalie, Neymar shot a 150-footer across Hollywood Boulevard, getting it past the 5 foot 5 inch TV celebrity on his third attempt.

Take a look at the video below to see Neymar's trick shot. Hollywood Boulevard was closed down for the stunt to make sure that no cars or passersby were whacked with errant soccer balls.