Celebrated Brazilian-Barcelona superstar Neymar wins world Poker championship

Sports
By Mirror | Jun 17, 2016
World Series of Poker

Barcelona superstar Neymar enjoyed a kick-around with high stakes Las Vegas gamblers during the World Series of Poker this week.

The Brazilian stopped off in Vegas as part of his ambassadorial duties with PokerStars and played in a qualifying event for the poker world championship - an event which he won.

Neymar, 24, topped a small field of 18 respected poker professionals to win a seat into this summer's WSOP Main Event.

However, he is expected to miss the event and pass the entry onto one of his pals as he is scheduled to represent Brazil at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Neymar was also presented with an honorary WSOP bracelet, the prize awarded to winners of each event at the series every summer.

He enjoyed a short stay in Vegas playing poker with his friends, which include some of the biggest names in the card playing world.

American pro Jeff Gross played keepy-ups in the card room of the Rio casino during a break in play of one of his games earlier this week.

Gross played alongside Neymar during a small private game earlier in the week and revealed on Instagram that he taught him of an old good luck charm.

He wrote: "Was playing poker with @neymarjr today and explained how $2 bills were good fortune. I gave him one and ten minutes later he made quad 2222 and doubled up!"

Neymar is a keen poker player and has posted pictures related to the game on his social media accounts across the last two years.

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