SAO PAULO -- Ridiculed for fakery at this summer's World Cup, Neymar bounced back at cards this week with the aid of some well-timed bluffs, finishing an impressive sixth place in the 288-strong field of a Brazilian Series of Poker event.
Neymar, who was in the Brazil side that lost 2-1 to Belgium in the quarterfinals in Russia earlier this month, turned his R$7,000 ($1,877) entry stake into R$79,440 ($21,308) before being eliminated in the final of the High Roller event, organisers said.
"I'm very happy to be playing this tournament for the first time and for reaching the final with some great players," the 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star said, moments before the final began.