Monday 07 / July / 2025
Muscat: Neymar Jr launched the second edition of his signature five-a-side tournament, which began in Oman last weekend. The Brazilian forward’s signature football tournament will continue for the next five weeks all across the Sultanate.
The truly global phenomenon spans across six continents and more than 50 countries, five-a-side teams battle it out in 10-minute matches with a twist. Every time one team scores, the opposition loses a player, which makes it fast, technical, tactical – and unique in the world of football.
More than 70,000 players from 50 countries signed up to play last year, including teams from Oman, and 2017 promises to be even bigger. This year’s tournament is open to teams of five to seven players aged 16 to 25, and for the first time two over-aged players are allowed in the squad. The teams will set out with the hope of making it all the way from the qualifiers, to their national final and on to the World Final in July 2017 at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande, Brazil.
The Red Bull event includes eight local qualifiers, which began last weekend in Bausher and Darsait. In the coming weeks the tour will continue to Mabelah, Al Musannah, Sohar, Shinas, Nizwa and Salalah. Qualifying teams will then go on to compete in the country final hosted in Muscat in Hillat Al Sheikh on March 17. The Red Bull Event is being held in partnership with Instituto Neymar Jr, Hi FM Hala FM, Oman Ministry of Tourism and Millennium Resort Musannah.
Tens of thousands of players from around the world will set out with the hope of making it all the way from regional qualifiers to their national final and on to the World Final at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande, Brazil. Neymar Jr himself is dreaming too – of more success with FC Barcelona and Brazil in 2017, and a long-term future in the country that excites him most.
“I will always continue to wish peace, health and joy to my family and friends,” Neymar Jr said when asked about his hopes for the future. “On the field, I want to continue having fun as always and as long as I can do that, my year will be good.”
“In 2017, I hope to win more games, more titles and to score many more goals – as always. I want to continue evolving as an athlete and to help my team mates on the pitch, both for Barcelona and the Brazilian national team.”
“Long term, if I could choose any other country to play in it would be the United States. The culture in the US is incredible, and that really attracts me – as do the amazing cities. It would be a great place to play one day.”
Neymar Jr’s Five provides a unique challenge to players the world over, as every time one team scores, the opposition loses a player. It’s inspired by the street football Neymar Jr himself grew up playing and the Barcelona and Brazil forward cannot wait to see a new season of this remarkable tournament kick off.
“I always played with my friends, using small goals.” he said. “The tournament reminds me of my childhood and I am very proud of it. To win the five-a-side games and outplay them all, you need strategy and a good understanding of what the best moment is to attack and defend. A good defence is very important as well and can bring your team very far in the tournament.”
Brazil’s Anjos da Bola, the 2016 World Champions, were rewarded with a VIP trip to Barcelona, where they got to spend time with Neymar Jr himself at the FC Barcelona training ground.
“Meeting the winners was incredible!” said Neymar Jr. “Now I can’t wait to see who makes it through to the 2017 World Final at my Instituto in Brazil.”
