Tao United wins but Neymar conquers the show

More than the title the Romanians celebrated playing two matches against the hero of their dreams, Neymar Junior, who has lent his name to the five-a-side football tournament organised by Red Bull at the place where he grew up a child.

Brazilian football star Neymar plays a match during the finals of a five-a-side global tournament organized by his Neymar Junior Institute project, in Praia Grande, Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 8, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Miguel SCHINCARIOL

Tao United of Romania won the Neymar Junior’s Five World Finals beating the English side IFC Fives in a tie breaker. More than the title the Romanians celebrated playing two matches against the hero of their dreams, the football superstar Neymar Junior, who has lent his name to the five-a-side football tournament organised by Red Bull at the place where he grew up a child. The tournament was happening at the ground of Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr., which has come up on the charity of the superstar.

Neymar, the Brazilian striker and the important name in Barcelona FC’s famed attack, obliged everyone during his emotional homecoming where he happily mingled with everyone from his family and friends of the Praia Grande locality (adjoining the famous city of Santos). There were no sofas or glass enclosures as Neymar sat on the make-shift wooden stands with his son, David, and often swung to the beats of a band that was playing in his honour. His son liked the antics of his father and enjoyed the carnival atmosphere upon arriving for the semifinals.

IFC Fives beat the Angolan side Furia Da Bola while the Romanians got the better of Swedish side FC Show to reach the finals. The final was kicked off by David, who did it in a manner his father does it for Barcelona or Brazil. There were loud cheers as the stands were overflowing with Neymar’s admirers, whom the striker acknowledged every moment they shouted his name.

Neymar Santos Senior, the superstar’s father and the man behind his success, was also present as the three generations of the Santos family celebrated their biggest passion – football. Neymar Jr. commands a huge respect for his altruistic activities that has turned the lives of more than 3000 children from around the locality towards betterment. “He has the vision of a statesman and feels a lot for his family and people who have helped him grow,” says Joel, the co-ordinator of Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr.

Everyone - more than 400 players from 53 teams, the officials and the spectators - were happy with the way the second edition of the Neymar Junior’s Five turned out. Large part of the success was owed to the presence of the superstar himself. The Romanians went back cherishing the experience of a lifetime and the other participants too were happy as they got in close quarters to watch Neymar in action, who produced all the tricks and skills available in his repertoire.