Rumors

It's a mentality that led Butler to choose No. 10 for what might be the final chapter of his career, having worn Nos. 21, 22 and 23 in his previous stops around the NBA. "It's a football, Neymar-, Messi-type number for me," said Butler, whose soccer fandom was once profiled in The New York Times by the founder of this Substack. "I feel like the people I consider the GOATs, they were 10," Butler said. "So that's my shout to them."

marcstein.substack.com

Celtics on NBC Sports Boston: Joe Mazzulla has a lengthy back-and-forth with a Brazilian reporter about the similarities in the ways the media has criticized Jayson Tatum and Neymar throughout their careers

x.com

After the game, Golden State stars  Klay Thompson and Draymond Green briefly chatted with Neymar. Warriors guard Gary Payton II and forward Gui Santos, who is from Brazil, also said hello. Thompson gave the young person next to Neymar his jersey then showed off his shooting form, presumingly offering tips. "We respect his greatness," Thompson said, referring to the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward. Neymar is also close friends with Heat star Jimmy Butler. The two met with tennis star Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open on Monday.

ESPN

Of course, when you’re Jimmy Butler, your pals aren’t all just random coffee shop patrons. Over the last few years, Butler has developed a friendship with one of his personal heroes, Brazilian soccer supernova Neymar. The two have bonded over more than just their shared athletic mastery, connecting over things like fatherhood, a role Butler stepped into for the first time a few years ago. “I see him as a brother, you know what I mean?” Butler says. “And I’ll go support, he knows this. I’ll fly anywhere to go watch my brother play. But whenever I do get there, we’re always just kicking it, talking about life, FaceTiming each other’s kids. It’s a real family vibe around him, and around all the people that I’m around.” Butler clearly admires this about Neymar, speaking with reverence when he describes the footballer’s relationship with his children. “He’s an incredible dad. He does so much for them, and he’s always around them, teaching them everything about life, about whatever they want to put their mind to. Man, it’s incredible to watch. And I learn from it.”

The Guardian

And Butler is sure to cheekily give Neymar his athletic flowers, too. “He’s [obviously] a great footballer. He’s actually pretty good at basketball, too. Actually, now that I think about it, that little motherfucker is good at almost everything.”

The Guardian

Clutch Points: Neymar is back for more NBA Finals action in Game 4 🙌 pic.twitter.com/UnWdGfHG3B

Twitter

Reporter: “I would like to know if Brazil is included in your coffee tour, and if so, what places are you planning to go?” Jimmy Butler: “Of course. Brazil is top of my list, but I’m only going if Neymar comes with me, for one. But all over the world, not just because of coffee, I just love different people and I love the culture everywhere. I learned so much because the world’s so much bigger than the United States. I have so much respect for coffee all around the world, for sure, everything about Brazil, everything about Mexico, because they have incredible coffee here as well. So I’m gonna put Mexico on the list, and then, I’m gonna circle around and make Neymar go drink coffee with me in Brazil.”

TalkBasket

Clutch Points: Neymar doing Steph's 'Night Night' celebration 😴 pic.twitter.com/1Vu32KJ557

Twitter

Klay Thompson: A1 since day 1 @neymarjr

Instagram

Finally, Butler is frequently mentioning his favorite part about coffee is not necessarily the drink itself; instead it’s the conversations shared over a cup. He still has some Heat members he needs to sip with (Pat Riley included), but when asked who his dream coffee shop hang is, Butler was unsurprisingly all over the board. “Man, way to put me on the spot. I got three people, right? I would definitely pick Neymar, I’m a huge fan. I would pick Barack Obama. I want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with Obama. And then lastly, I would pick [long pause] Emma Raducanu. She’s a young baller, She’s a monster. If I could share a cup with those three, I think I’d be having a great time.”

Sports Illustrated

Recalling Bryant's death, Neymar told Vogue Men Arabia: "His death affected me a lot because our lives had much in common. "I met Kobe personally and the times he came to Paris. When you meet the person behind the athlete, it creates a different relationship and with Kobe, it was very special. Sports and society lost a great guy."

Goal.com

Neymar scores a goal and flashes up the No. 24 in respect for Kobe Bryant

Twitter

Stephen Curry: All smiles! 30🏀 x 10⚽️ x 🇫🇷 @neymarjr You are a true inspiration on and off the field bro! Pleasure to hear your stories and understand why you are the person and player you are today! More to come.

Instagram

NBA star Jimmy Butler realised one of his dreams this week after finally getting to meet his footballing idol, Neymar. Butler has been seen sporting both PSG and Brazil kits over the past few months while showing off his budding soccer skills on social media.

ESPN.com