Brazilian soccer sensation Neymar Jr. paid homage to some of his favorite basketball players with a mural painted next to his own basketball court. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are among the faces featured, as well as Hall of Fame forward Scottie Pippen and current stars like Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.
.@neymarjr's new basketball court đ„ @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/olB5s2RiHL
â ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 23, 2021
The Paris Saint-Germain star has been an avid basketball fan for some time, with Marc Stein of the New York Times writing in the fall of 2019 about his budding friendship with Butler:
Neymar said in an email that Butlerâs support was âvery special to meâ and added: âJimmy has a big heart. Our friendship is based on sincerity and honesty. He is shy and at the same time, his fun side is what makes him different.â
By the summer of 2018, Butler and Neymar were full-fledged pals, connecting through social media in what surely ranks as one of the most high-profile bromances in sports.
Neymar also honored Kobe Bryant by using his fingers to hold up â24â to the camera after scoring a goal in a win over Lille on the night of Bryant's tragic death. He told Vogue Man Arabia last year Bryant's death had a deep impact on him:
âHis death affected me a lot, because our lives had much in common,â Neymar Jr said, via Vogue. âI met Kobe Bryant personally and the times he came to Paris⊠When you meet the person behind the athlete, it creates a different relationship and with Kobe, it was very special. Sports and society lost a great guy.â
The 29-year-old is hoping to be remembered as a legend as his sport, much as many of the faces featured on his mural will be recalled for their contributions to the game of basketball.
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