WHO needs a real job?
PSG star Neymar transcends the world of football, enjoying the glitzy showbiz lifestyle of a true celebrity.
From attending elite fashion parties to taking fancy holidays, the Brazilian superstar knows how to live.
And if you’re lucky, you will be part of Neymar’s inner circle, called the ‘parcas’ in his homeland, who indulge in the high-life with him.
Parcas is a slang term in Portuguese meaning ‘partners’, and just like Vinny Chase in US TV show Entourage, the footballer has a group of pals he trusts more than anyone else.
Enter the world of one of the most famous sports stars on the planet…
THE THREE AMIGOS
There’s a popular joke in Brazil that if you’re Neymar’s friend, you won’t feel the current economic and unemployment crisis that’s sweeping the country.
And these three live-in mates are reportedly all on the payroll, earning around $11k-per-month from the former Barcelona star.
Gil Cebola, Jota Amancio and Carlos Henrique are key members of his entourage, each providing a different role within ‘Team Neymar’.
They all live with him in the posh Paris suburb Bougival, in a mansion worth millions.
Cebola worked briefly as his agent, before assuming his role as chief photographer, managing Neymar’s live broadcasts and videos on social media.
Off the back of that, Cebola has launched a clothing brand, a tattoo shop and an events production company.
He now has over 670,000 followers on Instagram, and was selected by Google to photograph an ad campaign in Brazil in recent years. It pays to know Neymar.
Amancio, who calls himself Neymar’s personal adviser, is perhaps closest to the forward.
Footballers like Neymar are stars on a completely different level. It’s insane. It’s like a huge cult
NBA superstar Draymond Green
The pair played together in the youth ranks at Santos, and he is akin to a “brother” to the footballer.
“We met when we were only 13 years old and since then we have grown up together,” Amancio told Marca.
“We lived in the same house for seven years, we studied together, and until 2010 we played in the same team,”
While Henrique appears to be the brains of the trio, looking after his pal’s commercial and business interests off the pitch.
The three were seen partying with Neymar in Las Vegas, alongside Serena Williams, a host of stunning models and UFC Octagon Girls Jhenny Andrade and Camila Oliveira, while Brazil were playing in the Copa America in 2016.
For Neymar’s 26th birthday his friends also helped him organise a party at the exclusive Pavillion Cambon in Paris, where guests included Lewis Hamilton, Brazilian Ronaldo, and Victoria’s Secret beauty Izabel Goulart.
SHARE THE WEALTH
With a net worth of around $121m, Neymar isn’t afraid to show his entourage a good time.
After all, he believes the parcas are the reason he is where he is today.
Before his record-breaking transfer to PSG, he flew them to the party island of Ibiza where the gang partied on yachts, in super clubs and rented a huge mansion.
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It made NBA superstar Draymond Green take note.
“We see stars in America and it’s amazing,” he said on ESPN.
“But [footballers like Neymar] are stars on a completely different level over there. It’s insane. It’s like a huge cult.”
And after his move to Paris, they all went straight to St Tropez, partying at a beach club.
Club revellers saw 12 bottles of champagne delivered to his table, while a funk version of the Brazilian national anthem played as a backdrop.
A BAD INFLUENCE
However, there are those that believe having such an entourage is detriment to Neymar’s career.
Former Santos marketing director Eduardo Musa worked exclusively as Neymar’s personal adviser for six years.
One of his many jobs involved looking after an unlimited credit card that paid for the expenses of Neymar’s friends.
He quit working for the Brazil star after he grew tired of working for such a big name in the game.
“I can’t complain about anything; it was an amazing experience—my goal as a professional,” Musa told Bleacher Report.
“But inevitably, when you work with such a huge guy [as Neymar], you have no personal life. I don’t want to pay this price again.”
Musa encouraged the entourage to become a support system for their pal, but Neymar’s father wasn’t fond of that idea.
“I have no doubt they’re very important for Neymar, but I tried to turn them into a professional support for Neymar’s career as well.
“One of them would become a photographer, the other would work as a manager.
“But his father didn’t accept it [at that time].”
UNDER PRESSURE
Being Neymar isn’t easy.
The expectation on the shoulders of one of the world’s best footballers for club and country could make a mere mortal crumble.
Gustavo Almeida, another close friend, explained what the entourage provides.
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“He lives in a pressure-cooker and we are an escape [from it],” he told Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte.
“We don’t talk about football. We’re a way for him to let go of the stress of his life. We’re together to chat, travel.”
Every Brazilian kid dreams of becoming the next Ronaldo, Zico or Pele… but now just being friends with the new wonderkid on the scene seems to be just as lucrative.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
