World Cup could still be in reach for the last genius of Brazilian football who has faded to a shadow of his former self
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hat’s your favourite Neymar advert? This is a tough question to answer. The body of work is huge and varied. The foot deodorant ad perhaps, which depicts Neymar’s feet literally on fire, ablaze with some kind of divine eau de toenail.
Or the new one for a brand of açaí berry death-gloop sorbet product, which shows Neymar holding up twin cones, like phials of luminous unicorn-sperm, and looking as though he’s just been hit over the head with a rock and it’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to him.
For me the real No 1 is his turn as the face of Brazil’s leading car battery provider. In part because of Neymar’s take on the role of battery installer guy, which is sexy-moody maverick genius. Tailored green overalls. Hair perfectly feathered. A stare into the camera which is steely and masculine, but also tender and playful.
