Neymar's Summer of Redemption

The superstar just debuted a collaboration with Jordan and has his sights set on reasserting Brazil's dominance on a global stage at the Olympics.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Copa América, a tournament embedded in South American culture, kicked off this past weekend here in the States. Banners across the country advertise the tournament with pictures of soccer superstars such as James Rodríguez, Lionel Messi, and Neymar. However, Neymar will not be playing. Instead, Neymar has chosen to compete in the Olympics this year in his home country of Brazil. But that doesn’t mean he’s just chilling at home. The 24-year-old superstar recently spent the weekend in New York promoting his new shoe collaboration with Jordan.

Raised in the humble streets of Mogi das Cruzes—a municipality of São Paulo, Brazil—Neymar didn’t have the opportunity to live the sneakerhead lifestyle. When asked about his favorite Jordan shoe growing up, he laughs.

“There weren’t many options growing up, so I would wear whatever possible,” he says. “I once saw a little boy wearing Jordan sneakers in a movie...and that made me dream.”

Neymar has developed into one of soccer’s global stars but, it seems that movie still left an impression on him. He worked closely with Nike and Jordan this year to create the perfect shoe.

“They gave me a folder with all the sneakers, but I liked the Jordan V the most because it’s beautiful and comfortable,” he says. “After that, we came up with the colorway and how the rest of the shoe would look.”

 

The most exciting part for Neymar? “The shoe is a mash-up of the two of us,” he says. “Jordan is basketball and I’m soccer.” A cultural fusion if you will, embracing the diversity of two unique sports linked by global passion.

In the past year, Neymar has been a finalist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or—the award for world’s best footballer—won back-to-back La Liga titles with FC Barcelona, and even scored in the UEFA Champions League Final. Now, he’s being primed to take over Cristiano Ronaldo’s role as the face of Nike Soccer. The fact the two superstars play for opposite sides of the biggest rivalry in the sport doesn’t faze Neymar one bit.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has created his own story and now I’m creating mine,” he says. “And it’s a big pleasure to be able to do it with Michael Jordan.”

Neymar has come into his own as a superstar for both Brazil and FC Barcelona. As a Brazilian, he’s well aware that Messi (Argentina) and Luis Suarez (Uruguay) play for his country’s biggest rivals.

“We’re all very good friends, but when we’re playing on our national teams, there is no more friendship, we become competitors,” he explains. “But once the ball is not rolling anymore, we become really good friends again.”

The friendship among Barcelona’s devastating attacking trio is evident, both on and off the pitch, with many assuming Messi will pass the baton to Neymar, just as Ronaldinho did to Messi. 

“I still have many years to go,” he laughs. “All I want for now is to play football at Barcelona with my teammates. I’m really happy about it.”

Barcelona’s season will start up at the end of August, and prior to that, Neymar will be competing in the Summer Olympics. Some may argue that after the 2014 World Cup debacle, the Brazilian Federation is eager to show the world they are still a force to be reckoned with. Brazil has never won Olympic gold in soccer and hope to make 2016 a monumental year. Neymar will have to bear the pressure of achieving such a feat for a nation with a rich soccer history. Especially one that has seemingly lost its joga bonito style of play. Joga bonito—which means “play beautiful” in Brazilian Portuguese—is the term used to describe the likes of Pelé, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo de Lima.

“Brazilian soccer will always be joga bonito, because it’s beautiful no matter what,” Neymar explains. “It has changed, and there are more tactics in playing, but it will always be beautiful.”

To many that have watched this elite footballer develop, it is quite apparent that Neymar has continued the tradition of Brazilian soccer style but with a dash of his own flair.

Whether constructing the perfect pass or evading multiple defenders at a time, this young phenom isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Hailing from Santos FC in 2013, many believed he’d have a difficult time adjusting to Barcelona’s style of play coupled with sharing the spotlight with Messi. Despite those concerns, in only his second season with the club he was an integral part of winning Barcelona’s second treble—the coveted trifecta of winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League all in a single season.

For now, he’s living like a bonafide celebrity—hanging out with Justin Bieber in LA, working with Michael Jordan in New York, and attending the NBA Finals. But come August, he’ll lace up his cleats and give his life back to football. All we can do is enjoy the ride.

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