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.
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
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.
