200-Meter Mural Pays Stunning Tribute to Neymar

Summary: Brazil - Egypt 1:2 / Sport1

As the opening of the 2026 World Cup approaches, excitement is growing in Brazil, and in Novo Hamburgo, residents chose to express it in an unusual way. A giant mural about 200 meters long, dedicated to Neymar, has turned an entire stretch of road in the Patria Nova neighborhood into an open-air work of art.

The work by artist Rafael Zogh draws attention because of its enormous size and meticulous detail, and serves as a tribute to one of Brazil's most prominent football stars in the modern era. Beyond being a personal tribute to Neymar, the display has become a colorful symbol of the connection between football, art and community ahead of the world's biggest tournament.

The 34-year-old footballer was called up for the World Cup, but is still undergoing intensive rehabilitation because of a calf injury he suffered in mid-May while playing for Santos in Brazil. He is expected to miss the first match against Morocco on Saturday, and it is still unclear whether he will be able to play later against Haiti and Scotland.

In the meantime, Brazil's players honored their coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who celebrated his 67th birthday at the camp in Morristown, New Jersey. "He went through the middle, but nobody touched him," Raphinha said with a smile about the guard of honor the players held for the veteran Italian coach.