Queue & A: Neymar Jr.

Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., known to most only by his first name, is a living soccer legend. Regarded by many as one of the best soccer players in the world, the 29-year-old Brazilian’s dominance on the field began at a young age, catapulting him to international celebrity status and a life in the public eye. But there’s more to Neymar Jr. than what’s seen on social media or written in headlines, and the futbolista takes you behind the scenes in his new documentary, Neymar: The Perfect Chaos. 

Queue caught up with Neymar Jr. to learn more about the soccer star’s life on and off the field, and what he likes to watch on Netflix to unwind.

Queue: What do you remember from when you started playing soccer? Were you too young?

Neymar Jr.: I was very young. When I started playing soccer, I remember that my mother used to take me to practice — my father had a job. So she took me to this soccer school where the coach had asked me to go practice. I used to play soccer at this school, and I started to get good at it. Then I moved on to other teams. And I started at Santos FC when I was 12 years old.

How do you normally prepare for matches?

NJ: Man, I don’t do anything specific for every match, you know? But I prepare myself with music. I always arrive at the stadium listening to some kind of music, on either a speaker or headphones, depending on the day. Then I open my bible, leave it open in my locker. Then I talk to people; I dance. There are days when I’m more excited: I dance with everyone, make jokes. Then I do the things I have to do to prepare for the game — bandages, massage, that’s it. Then I say a prayer and go to the field.

What’s your favorite song to listen to during practice?

NJ: Damn! I don’t have a favorite song. It’s just that when I like a song, I listen to it over and over again. Then I get tired of it and pick another song.

What inspires you on and off the field? 

NJ: Man, what inspires me to keep playing soccer is . . . I think it’s me. It’s my will to excel, to be a winner. I’m a very competitive guy. So I think my source of inspiration in soccer today is myself. And I always tell my friends that, if I ever lose this feeling, I’d rather give up playing, because I think that if I don’t get butterflies in my stomach anymore, if I don’t have this desire to win and excel, I think it won’t make sense to be there, you know? So today I want to keep playing, and I want to keep competing, which is what I enjoy doing.

What other athletes do you look up to? 

NJ: Oh, many of them. I have many idols in sports who I admire a lot. Well… [Michael] Jordan is one of them. Pelé. [Lewis] Hamilton, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Tom Brady — these are guys from other sports that I really admire.

Let’s talk a little bit about the documentary, Neymar: The Perfect Chaos. What was something memorable in filming?

NJ: I remember that when we were recording the show there was a time when we had agreed to meet after the game for an interview. And in that game, I was substituted — I didn’t have a good game. My game wasn’t good by my standard, and I went straight to the locker room, took a shower, and went home. I actually forgot about the interview, you know. In fact, I didn’t want to talk to anyone, I just wanted to go home and rest. So I left everyone waiting at the stadium. Afterwards, of course I apologized to them, we met and recorded the interview the next day. But it was something spontaneous, you know? I wasn’t having a good day, I was mad at myself because I hadn’t played well, because I pushed myself too hard, and I ended up leaving the crew at the stadium waiting for the interview.

Was it hard to get used to having cameras on you all the time? 

NJ: Kinda. In the beginning it’s different, isn’t it? Because you don’t know who is there with you every day. But then you get used to it, and you become friends with the people that are there. They become familiar faces. Then you feel more relaxed, right? So it became very easy.

Which side of Neymar Jr. do you think will surprise the audience? 

NJ: Oh. I really don’t know because I’m always the same guy. So it’s hard for me to say, “You will get to know this side of me.” I have only one side, so I’m always myself. People who see me in a different way see me for something I may have done on or off the field that they didn’t like, and this can end up influencing the image they have of me. But I think those who know me well know how I am in everyday life, how I am at the club. It’s very different from everything else.

What’s something you like to watch on Netflix to unwind? 

NJ: Wow, I’ve watched everything. Let’s see. I’ve been watching Cobra Kai. 

What was the last show you binge-watched on Netflix?

NJ: Money Heist. 

If you could be friends with a Netflix character, who would it be?

NJ: Damn, this is hard. Johnny Lawrence, yeah, from Cobra Kai. I would kick some ass.

Tell us something about yourself that your teammates don’t know.

NJ: Are you crazy? Do you want me to share my secrets?

Is there anything your teammates don’t know about you?

NJ: No, they have already found out that I am afraid of snakes. They found out and pranked me. So I think they know everything.