Mexican club mocks Neymar with hilarious halftime contest (Video)
Neymar’s antics at the 2018 World Cup have officially gone viral. The latest example? Some halftime savagery from Mexican club Tijuana at a preseason friendly.
[More: Why soccer players flop, and why criticism is too harsh]
Brazil was eliminated by Belgium on Friday, but its star left a lasting impression on the tournament, and on the world. His legacy has crystallized in the form of the “Neymar Challenge,” which … well, we’ll just let you watch:
#NeymarChallenge durante el medio tiempo del @Xolos vs @csherediano1921 pic.twitter.com/8TDqj9lmTm
— Claudia Rodríguez (@RClaudia89) July 8, 2018
The rolling race seems to be a Tijuana invention. The Neymar Challenge, though, is not. It’s the newest internet phenomenon.
It’s infiltrated youth soccer camps and practices:
Me queda claro que uno #HagoDramaCuando uno se vuelve experto en el #NeymarStyle al practicar el #NeymarChallenge pic.twitter.com/kMUCMMi5Po
— Iñaki Alvarez (@inakialvarez) July 5, 2018
#Neymar challenge accepted pic.twitter.com/sVPBcP0ztC
— Chongo Mulenga (@muchips) July 5, 2018
#Rusia2018
El #NeymarChallenge sigue recorriendo todo el mundo, ahora fue el turno de México…
Tienen buen futuro estos pequeños, algún día serán igual de pésimos actores que @neymarjr… pic.twitter.com/px0NfjSpwM— Los Expulsados (@losexpulsados) July 8, 2018
It was performed at a big watch party for Belgium’s quarterfinal against Brazil:
“Faute sur Neymar” Voilà bon. OK bye bye. #NeymarChallenge #BRABEL pic.twitter.com/1ilIXdztg4
— Vinz (@vinzradio) July 6, 2018
The Neymar Challenge is taking over Moscow streets …
Neymar Challenge pic.twitter.com/IR2uIafg5l
— Sergio Cárdenas (@sergiocardenasl) July 6, 2018
… and TV shows …
Acá con el #NeymarChallenge de @LMFOXSports Actuación de primera, casi como @neymarjr #BRA #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/7saQYRSRuz
— Andrés Islas (@CapsNarrador) July 7, 2018
… and the sets of TV shows …
#NeymarChallenge en Directo a Rusia.
Nuestros sublimes dotes histriónicos a las 7 de la mañana.@PaolaRojas @daniellemx_ @VIVImartinez01 @EnriqueBurak @TD_Deportes https://t.co/gb07acV5O0 pic.twitter.com/p8Xi98hdW6— Guillermo Schutz (@memo_schutz) July 6, 2018
It’s everywhere. It’s sweeping the globe.
It is, in all honestly, a bit harsh on Neymar. There’s a method to his madness. He had an excellent tournament. And he’s far from the only one who flops. But there’s no going back now.
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Henry Bushnell covers global soccer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Question? Comment? Email him at henrydbushnell@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @HenryBushnell, and on Facebook.
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