Soccer
Neymar Jr revealed his hopes for 2017 and desire to play in the US while launching Neymar Jr’s Five.
Neymar Jr spoke about his hopes for 2017 and his desire to play in the United States before his career is over, as he launched the second edition of his signature five-a-side tournament Neymar Jr's Five.
"I will always continue to wish for peace, health and joy to my family and friends," Neymar Jr said when asked about his hopes for the future. "On the field, I want to continue having fun as always, and as long as I can do that, my year will be good.
"In 2017, I hope to win more games, more titles and to score many more goals – as always. I want to continue evolving as an athlete and to help my team-mates on the pitch, both for Barcelona and the Brazilian national team.
"Long term, if I could choose any other country to play in it would be the United States. The culture in the US is incredible, and that really attracts me – as do the amazing cities. It would be a great place to play one day."
Neymar Jr was speaking as he launched the second edition of his signature five-a-side tournament, Neymar Jr's Five.
Neymar Jr's Five made an instant impact in its debut year in 2016, with more than 10,000 teams and 65,000 players in 47 countries vying for overall victory in the world's biggest football tournament.
This time it will be bigger than ever, with regional qualifiers in 53 countries and a rule change giving more players the chance to compete.
The 2017 tournament is again open to teams of five to seven players aged 16 to 25, but for the first time two over-aged players are allowed as part of each squad.
Tens of thousands of players will set out with the hope of making it all the way from regional qualifiers to their national final, and then on to the World Final at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande, Brazil.
Neymar Jr's Five provides a unique challenge too, as every time one team scores, the opposition loses a player. It's inspired by the street football Neymar Jr himself grew up playing, and the Barcelona and Brazil forward can't wait to see a new season of this remarkable tournament kick off.
"I always played with my friends, using small goals," he said. "The tournament reminds me of my childhood and I'm very proud of it. To win the five-a-side games and outplay them all, you need strategy and a good understanding of what the best moment is to attack and defend. A good defence is very important as well and can take your team very far in the tournament."
Find out how you can register your team at www.neymarjrsfive.com and facebook.com/neymarjrsfive