October 23, 2024 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

Brazilian soccer sensation Neymar "neymar-jr" Jr. came agonizingly close to taking down the latest 馃挭 edition of theR$5,200 Titans Event at PokerStars this weekend, ultimately having to make do with a runner-up finish. Although Neymar 馃挭 collectedR$66,056 for his bridesmaid finish, he will be bitterly disappointed not to have come out on top and added the 馃挭 Titans Event title to his long list of personal accomplishments.

Neymar fans will likely see more of their hero at the 馃挭 live and virtual felts in the coming months because he faces a spell on the sidelines. Last week, while representing 馃挭 his country in a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay, Neymar landed awkwardly and left the field in tears on 馃挭 a stretcher. Tests later confirmed a meniscus tear injury to Neymar's knee and a season-ending Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear. 馃挭 Neymar faces up to a year in the treatment room.

Soccer's loss looks to be poker's gain. Neymar decided to fire 馃挭 up PokerStars on October 22 and flick in theR$5,200 buy-in for the Titans Event. It was a drop in the 馃挭 ocean for the man who recently put pen to paper on a two-year deal worth a reportedR$219 million annually. But 馃挭 as Team PokerStars' Rafael Moraes revealed to PokerNews last year, Neymar does not play poker for the money; he just 馃挭 wants to win.

$5,200 Titans Event Final Table Results