The world was shaken by one world class actor who descended onto the football field in Russia this year to participate in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He repeatedly grabbed headlines for his non-football performances on the field and gave rise to a cottage industry on social media to chronicle his many exploits.
The man behind the memes, Neymar Jr., has now embraced this tongue-in-cheek alternate persona. The Brazilian superstar has joined in the fun by posting his own take on the #NeymarChallenge, which spoofs his theatrical over-reactions to mild challenges during World Cup games.
He shows several kids how it’s done, with a short masterclass on falling at the slightest contact. He even counts it down to cue in the referees, it seems.
Neymar, using his front camera, takes the game to his critics by teaching the kids the perfect time to go down, saying “1, 2, 3...IT’S A FOUL!”
The caption #ChallengeDAFALTA, translates to “Challenge Free Kick”.
Earlier in July, Mexican club FC Tijuana had organised a half-time entertainment performance inspired by Neymar’s exaggerated rolling on the ground. It featured spectators racing towards the goal, rolling halfway across the field.
Former French international and Manchester United legend Eric Cantona, who has actually ventured into acting after retiring, had already given his hot take on the midfielder’s meme-worthy diving.
Although it takes away from the “Beautiful Game”, there’s no doubt that the performative aspect of football players is iconic in its own right.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)