Neymar on the bench in sneakers and a cap — but he's never felt more present
Without setting foot on the pitch in boots, the star turned fan, leader and motivator during Brazil's draw with Morocco
Staff kit, running shoes and a cap. Neymar didn't need boots to become one of the defining figures in Brazil's 1–1 draw with Morocco in their World Cup opener.
The No. 10 made the trip to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, walked onto the pitch during the warm-up and was already a spectacle before a ball was kicked — Tom Brady and rapper Travis Scott were just two of the celebrities who stopped to greet him. But the real show came during the 90 minutes.
On the bench, Neymar complained about the refereeing when Morocco took the lead through Saibiri. He erupted with joy at Vini Jr.'s stunning equaliser. He agonised over the chances that went begging. During the second-half drinks break, he pulled Luiz Henrique aside for a one-on-one conversation and urged him to press Morocco's defence harder.
"Ahhh... go on, Cunha!", the forward exclaimed as Matheus Cunha came on.
After the final whistle, he went down to the pitch to greet opponents — among them Hakimi, his former PSG teammate, and Bono, the Al-Hilal goalkeeper. He left the field with his son Davi Lucca in his arms.
The calf injury he suffered on 17 May during Santos's defeat to Coritiba in the Brasileirão is still keeping him away from training in boots. Santos announced an oedema the following day. Since then, Neymar has spent far more time in the physio room than on the pitch.
The good news, according to ge: Carlo Ancelotti revealed that the star is expected to rejoin group training next week.
Golmetria's model gives Brazil a 5% chance of winning the title — a number that could shift considerably depending on when, and whether, the No. 10 laces up his boots for real.
The sixth star is waiting. And so is Neymar.