Brazilian Icon and Dutch Prodigy Meet Ahead of Friendly Clash
Neymar Jr and Xavi Simons reunited in Brazil, sharing a moment together before their teams’ friendly match. A photo of the two talented footballers has excited fans worldwide.
REUNION IN BRAZIL
Former Paris Saint-Germain teammates Neymar and Simons met in Brazil, before their teams face off in a highly anticipated friendly match. The Brazilian star welcomed his young Dutch colleague to his institute. They took photos together that quickly went viral on social media. This reunion happened as RB Leipzig, Simons’ current club, arrived for their friendly against Neymar’s Santos. He joined his boyhood club in January 2025.
A SPECIAL CONNECTION
The connection between these players is deeper than their time together at PSG. Simons has openly expressed his admiration for Neymar, calling him his idol. Their relationship dates back to when Simons was just a child at Barcelona’s academy, when they filmed a commercial together. For the Santos vs. Leipzig friendly on May 28, Simons showed his love for Brazilian culture by wearing braids with ‘BR’ – a tribute to the country that influences his style on and off the pitch.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR BOTH STARS?
The friendly match represents more than just a reunion for these talented players. For 33-year-old Neymar, who returned to Santos after ending his contract with Saudi club Al-Hilal, this game could be crucial. Despite his legendary status, Neymar wasn’t included in Brazil’s latest squad. Strong performances in these matches are essential to regain international recognition. Meanwhile, Simons continues to establish himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting talents with RB Leipzig, who sit third in the league, 5 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
