Neymar Junior’s Bizarre Birthday Clause: Why He Always Misses Matches Around March
When you think of Neymar Jr., you picture samba dribbles, nutmegs, outrageous skills, and the occasional Hollywood dive. But there’s one story about the Brazilian superstar that has left fans scratching their heads for years and it’s got nothing to do with the ball.
Instead, it’s about his sister’s birthday. Yes, really.
The Mystery of March 11
Football fans across the world noticed something strange during Neymar’s time at Barcelona. Every year, right around March 11 (his sister Rafaella Santos’s birthday), Neymar somehow ended up missing matches.
- 2015: Suspended.
- 2016: Suspended again.
- 2017: Injured.
And it didn’t stop there. When he moved to Paris Saint-Germain, the same pattern followed him. Ney would “magically” pick up an injury, suspension, or knock right before Rafaella’s big day. Fans quickly connected the dots, and suddenly, football Twitter was calling it the “Rafaella Clause.”
Coincidence or Tradition?
Now, officially, Ney’s absences have always been linked to suspensions or injuries. Nothing shady on paper. But the timing? Suspiciously perfect.
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Some fans joked that he must have signed a secret clause in his contract allowing him to skip games every March. Others insisted it was just one of football’s strangest coincidences. Whatever the truth, the birthday tradition became legendary.
Neymar the Family Man
If anything, this bizarre story highlights one thing, Neymar‘s love for his family. His bond with Rafaella is well-known, and he’s never hidden the fact that her birthday is special to him.
But in the ruthless world of football, where players are expected to show up no matter what, this quirky birthday pattern became one of the most bizarre (and funniest) subplots in the Brazilian’s career.
The Rafaella Clause Lives On
Even today, whenever March rolls around, fans don’t just look at Neymar’s form or injury record, they check the calendar. If it’s close to Rafaella’s birthday, the memes and jokes start flying.
Because let’s be honest: the Brazilian may score outrageous goals and win trophies, but nothing is as consistent as him missing football for Rafaella’s birthday.
Also Read- Carlo Ancelotti Excludes Vinicius Jr. From Brazil Squad For September Matches
