Neymar Jr on futsal, street football and tricks (2024)
Hi Neymar Jr, how did street football shape the player you are today?
It definitely helped me to develop a fast game and that Brazilian smartness. I had a very happy childhood and I can still remember waking up every morning just wanting to play football – even though I knew I had to go to school. As soon as I arrived home I used to grab my football and go straight out and I’d play until late at night with my friends. Nothing else seemed to matter to me at that age.
Did your coaches encourage you to play football on the streets?
No, it was quite the opposite actually. My coaches were always scared I’d get injured and miss training or a game but it didn’t stop me!
Which coach has had the biggest influence on your career?
I’ve been lucky to play under so many great coaches who helped to improve my game in different ways but I’d say the one I have the most affection for is (Antonio Dos Santos) Lima. He was my coach when I was a teenager and he’s a guy who I had a real bond with.
What do you remember of your professional debut for Santos at 17? How did you feel, walking out to a crowd chanting your name?
I didn’t really know what to do! I didn’t know whether to smile, applaud the crowd, wave my hands in the air or just stay serious. It feels quite complicated when you’re that young but I ended up playing that first game and the rest is history.
You’re a very skilful player. How did you become the player you are today?
Futsal had a massive influence on me when I was growing up. It’s a very demanding game and it really helped to develop my technique, speed of thought, and ability to perform moves in tight spaces. I think futsal is a fundamental part of a footballer's life.
Why's that?
When you’re out there playing, you’re forced to think fast and move faster – if you lose a second, the ball will be gone. It’s a more dynamic game and it’s come in handy at Barcelona. When we play there’s not much space on the pitch so you need to react quickly on the field. There’s no doubt futsal has helped me a lot in my career, it’s one of the biggest passions in my life. I used to love playing it, but unfortunately I had to stop when I was 13 or 14 in order to grow up as a footballer.
What are your fondest memories of that time in your life?
I can remember being just seven-years-old when I won my first individual award, which was a pretty special feeling as a child. I was making my debut for a team called Portuguesa, another club from Santos city, and we finished third in a futsal tournament. I scored 23 goals.
Was it difficult to make the move from futsal to football?
Not really. I started playing football from the age of 11, so I combined football and futsal until I was 14. I remember there came a point where I couldn’t play both anymore and had to choose between the two and of course I chose football. It’s funny, I can still remember my dad watching all my futsal games and making comments about how I played even when I was so young. He was always there following everything I did.
Who is your futsal idol?
It has to be Falcao, without a doubt. He’s one of the athletes who inspires me the most. We have a very close relationship and he’s one of those people who walk into your life and you want to keep them. As a futsal player Falcao is the best of all time, he is outstanding. Besides being my friend, he's ace.
What advice would you give to a young street footballer who wants to become a professional footballer
It's hard to give advice to young players. You see a lot of youngsters who have potential but for various reasons they don't reach their goals. It’s quite sad when that happens but from my experience, if you have the same dream I had as a child then there are certain things you need to do. You must stay focused at all times and ignore any distractions. Also, make sure you always remain attached to your family - you must trust them. It’s important to keep your closest friends around you as well – that’s another big thing. On the pitch you must always give everything and train hard – if you do all of those things then you’ll give yourself a chance.
Neymar Jr was talking at the World Final of his global 5-a-side tournament. For more information and to sign up for 2017 please visitwww.neymarjrsfive.com’
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Not long after his rainbow flick, the referee warned Neymar about his antics on the pitch and later brandished a yellow card for unsporting behaviour. The Brazil international was furious with the decision and expressed his disappointment in a conversation with PSG teammate Marco Verratti.
This is Gremetal, the inner-city futsal club where Neymar learned his art. The Barcelona and Brazil star played here from the age of nine until he was 13.
A beautiful mazy dribble down the right-hand side, Messi's footwork was a testament to his background in futsal. "As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous fun, and it really helped me because who I am today," he once said.
Despite all this controversy, the rainbow flick is not actually illegal. It's a form of showboating, and therefore in certain contexts, it may lead to a booking, but there's nothing strictly in the laws of the game to disallow it.
He has received a red card on five occasions when he played for Santos. At PSG, he has been sent off four times so far. His latest red card came in a Ligue clash in April 2021 against Lille. In international football, Neymar has been sent off just once which was against Colombia in the group stage of Copa America 2015.
Futsal comes from the Portuguese futebol de salão and from the Spanish fútbol sala or fútbol de salón (all translatable as "indoor football"). During its second world championships held in Madrid in 1985, the Spanish name fútbol sala was used.
All goalkeeper throws must bounce (or be touched) before halfway. There is no restriction on the length of goalkeeper drop-kicks. Goalkeepers are NOT allowed to pick up a deliberate pass from any of their team mates (Back pass).
Intentional heading or attempting to head the futsal ball is not permitted in U12 and below divisions. The restart is an indirect free kick. Kickoffs: are indirect. All players must be in their own half of the pitch.
In an interview with CazeTV, Neymar said he had contemplated international retirement after the latest disappointment but was now ready to go again in 2026. "After the [2022] World Cup, I honestly didn't want to [return to the Brazil national team]," he said. "But I've changed my mind.
Regarded as one of the greatest players in his generation, he is renowned for his flamboyant style of play, passing abilities, and two-footedness. Neymar has scored at least 100 goals for three different clubs, being one of a few players to do so, and is the highest-scoring Brazilian player in Champions League history.
In his mid-teens, he played for an indoor football team called Radium. Indoor football had just become popular in Bauru when Pelé began playing it. He was part of the first futsal (indoor football) competition in the region. Pelé and his team won the first championship and several others.
Messi toured the Pyramids, where he was seen surrounded by bodyguards as he was allowed to enter the structures. During the event to raise awareness later on in the day, an auction for a Messi T-shirt took place in order to raise funds for treating a number of Egyptian patients who suffer from Hepatitis C.
He was known for his dribbling, passing, flair, skills, and ability to create and score goals, all prominent characteristics of his early-age background playing futsal. He is the only player ever to have won a World Cup, a Copa América, a Confederations Cup, a Champions League, a Copa Libertadores and a Ballon d'Or.
But the match official was unhappy with Neymar's showboating - and after a heated conversation with the superstar, showed him a yellow card for dissent. Tensions continued to mount in the tunnel at half-time, with the Brazil international venting his anger in a conversation with team-mate Marco Verratti.
There are some variations of the rainbow flicks, such as the Advanced rainbow flick, and one popularized by Neymar, the Neymar Rocket. The advanced rainbow flick involves flicking up the ball to your waist, (sometimes using the Ronaldinho flick-up.)
PSG's Neymar fumes after Lyon's Lucas Paqueta booked for rainbow flick. Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has said that the "beautiful game is over" after Lyon player Lucas Paqueta was shown a yellow card for attempting a rainbow flick during a Ligue 1 match on Wednesday.
It is seen as an act of time wasting. Plus, players aren't well versed at defending showboating. Rightly so, they get irritated, sometimes getting physical.
Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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