Neymar broke down in tears after returning to Brazil’s squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 25, sending an emotional message about his longtime rival and friend Lionel Messi. “On the pitch he’s good, but off it he’s better,” Neymar said of the Argentine star.
Two players, deep crypto roots
When Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, his welcome package included Socios.com fan tokens valued at over $20 million. That deal wasn’t just a marketing stunt. It was one of the highest-profile integrations of crypto into a traditional sports contract ever executed.
Messi later became an investor and brand ambassador for Sorare, the NFT-based fantasy soccer platform, in 2022.
Neymar spent over $1 million on two Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs in January 2022, right near the peak of the NFT market.
