Neymar Jr. is currently in Brazil where he is self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic but before the health crisis put a halt on the season, the 28-year-old sat down for an interview and photoshoot with Vogue Man Arabia.
Dressed in a pink Alexander McQueen suit, which matched his pink hair at the time, Neymar opened up about frustrating 2019 that saw his season come to an end early due to injury.
“There is nothing worse for a professional athlete than an injury,” Neymar said. “I really suffered with injuries these last two seasons and I had many moments of questioning myself. Half of the success of an athlete is the mind. If the mind is good, the game flows more naturally.”
Much of Neymar’s career at PSG has been spent injured and the moments of questioning his ability likely led to him pushing for a transfer back to FC Barcelona last summer.
On a different note, Neymar also discussed the life of the late Kobe Bryant who tragically died in a helicopter accident last January along with daughter and seven others.
“His death affected me a lot, because our lives had much in common,” Neymar said. “I met Kobe personally and the times he came to Paris…When you meet the person behind the athlete, it creates a different relationship and with Kobe, it was very special. Sports and society lost a great guy.”
Neymar learned of the news at halftime during a match against Lille OSC and honored the Los Angeles Lakers legend after scoring a goal.
Bryant brought many championships to the Lakers and hopefully, if the season can resume, Neymar can bring a UEFA Champions League title to the French capital for the first time in the club’s history.
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