Neymar wants to focus on poker after retiring from football

Neymar is not just a footballer. He sees football as a job and also a way to enjoy himself, but he likes doing other things as well. Playing poker is one of them. It is a hobby he has picked up in recent years and now he loves it. 

The Brazilian said in a chat with 'CNews' how he ended up becoming a fan of cards. Now he is a PokerStars ambassador: "I started playing poker during the 2014 World Cup. During the tournament, many players were playing it and I ended up learning. I was watching from the outside and I became interested in it. I ended up loving poker as time went on."

Neymar explained why he is so passionate about it: "I prefer playing live. The feeling is different. When you've got a good hand, your opponent bets and your heart rate accelerates... or the feeling when you bluff. I don't know what's worse: taking a penalty in a final or bluffing when there's an enormous pot."

"It's true that when I retire, I plan to become a professional poker player. I feel really at ease and I think that after football, I'll be able to play tournaments and travel for them," the PSG striker said. 

Neymar admitted that he has played with several teammates past and present. "At Barcelona, I was always playing with Pique. Here at PSG, we play often. I played a lot with Keylor Navas and Paredes when we were in Portugal for the closing stages of the Champions League. It's a way of uniting the group."

The PokerStars ambassador wanted to send a message to all of those who decide to take up poker. "You have to have patience because you'll make a lot of bad moves. It's a game with a lot of adrenaline, but you have to be very patient. Otherwise, you can't play."