Shamans strategy misfires as Neymar plays key role in Brazil's victory against Peru
Sports
Neymar recently made history by becoming Brazil's all-time top scorer
LIMA (Web Desk) - Peruvian Shamans strategy to neutralize Brazilian star footballer Neymar ultimately misfired, as the new Al Hilal star played a crucial role by delivering a pivotal assist for Selecao'swinning goal against Peru.
Leading up to Peru's clash against Brazil in the World Cup qualifying game, Peruvian fans engaged in fetish rituals in an effort to nullify Brazilian superstar Neymar.
Before the French league game, fans unveiled a banner insulting Neymar with a slogan celebrating that PSG was 'finally rid of the rude'.
Neymar and Brazil defied the pre-match rituals of Peru to capture maximum points in Lima, thanks to a late winning goal by Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos.
However, their strategy ultimately misfired, as the new Al Hilal star played a crucial role by delivering a pivotal assist for elecao's winning goal.
According to El Diario, via France24, a group of traditional healers from the jungle, mountains, and coastal areas, called on "Tayta Inti" (Father Sun), to help Peru triumph over the five-time World Cup winners.
They built an altar on one side of the National Stadium in Lima, where they placed amulets, swords, flags and photographs of players from both teams.
In Neymar's photo, the shamans placed a brown rag doll, the left leg of which was tied to the image of the football player, and the right leg to a steel sword.
In a video shared on social media, shamans also placed thorny plants and sea shells in the photographs of Brazilian players Richarlison, and Casemiro, as well as head coach Fernando Dinis.
However, their intentions seemed to go awry, as the former Paris Saint-Germain forward assisted in a heart-wrenching last-minute goal by Marquinhos, securing all three points for his team.
Neymar did not deliver his most dominant performance in the challenging Lima environment.
The Peruvian practitioners of voodoo may have believed their efforts were successful when the 31-year-old forward missed a significant opportunity to put Brazil ahead just before halftime.
Neymar would have the final say late in the game, as Marquinho's soaring header proved to be the decisive blow to the hopes of the home team, winning 1-0.
This victory propels Brazil to the summit of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, tied in points with their rivals Argentina but holding the edge in goal difference.
Neymar and PSG supporters' sour relationship took a different twist when the ultras of the club sent him a message before the club's Ligue 1 game against Lens, Sports Brief reported.
Neymar honoured by PUMA with special edition boots celebrating Brazil milestone
In the last few days, Neymar has been receiving plaudits after he became Brazil's all-time goal-scorer.
The Al-Hilal forward surpassed his legendary compatriot, Pele after scoring a brace in the Samba Boys' 5-1 win over Bolivia.
The 31-year-old went into the Bolivia clash tied with Pele on 77 goals but ended the game with 79 goals in 125 international appearances. Pele played for the South American nation between 1957 and 1971.
Brazil women's icon, Marta holds the country's all-time record with 115 goals in 171 games.
Neymar scored his first goal for the Samba Boys in 2010 and had not played for the national team since they exited the 2022 World Cup after defeat to Croatia in the quarter-final.
After Neymar became the outright leader in Brazil's all-time goal-scoring charts, PUMA immediately unveiled 78 limited-edition FUTURE boots to celebrate the milestone.
The details on the boots are immaculate, featuring a combination of white gold and matte gold. The shoes have 10 unique icons from images created by Neymar to represent the 10 special moments in his life.
Meanwhile, as Sports Brief previously reported, the relationship between Neymar and PSG supporters took a strange twist recently. The club's ultras sent the former Parisians star a clear message after his departure, right before the club's Ligue 1 match against Lens.
