Neymar and Batman’s identity: how passion for the hero reflects the star’s trajectory in his last World Cup
The figure of Batman, a hero who appeared in 1939, captivated Neymar to the point that the player spent around US$1.5 million on a replica of the Batmobile for his condominium in Mangaratiba, Rio de Janeiro. Away from the field for more than a month and without his best physical form for an even longer period, the Brazilian star is preparing for his debut against Scotland.
The match will take place this Wednesday, at 7pm, in Miami, in the last group stage clash for Brazil. Given this scenario, the question arises whether the player will display his “Batman” or “Joker” side at this crucial stage of his World Cup career, as portrayed in the immense painting that adorns his residence.
Neymar’s journey in World Cups, between the extremes of Batman and Joker
Neymar’s fascination with the comic book character is so deep that the Mix Vale Notícias portal explored how the Dark Knight influences the star and how he, in turn, became a symbol of polarization in Brazilian society. The question that remains is whether he still represents Brazil’s hope, has the ability to intimidate opponents or just causes chaos.
In a statement during the documentary series “Perfect Chaos”, released by Netflix in 2022, Neymar reflected on his image: “I’m much more criticized than I deserve. Sometimes it’s difficult. For family and friends, I’m their Batman. For those who don’t know you, straight away, I’m already the Joker, you know?”. The painting that served as inspiration for this analysis was designed by the artist Fernando Quevedo.
How Fernando Quevedo’s art captured Neymar’s duality
Fernando Quevedo’s artistic creation had as its starting point the 2018 World Cup, the star’s second. At that time, Neymar faced intense criticism and “global cancellation” due to accusations of “cai-cai”. Quevedo, realizing the player’s appreciation for Batman and his participation in a costume party as the Joker, sought inspiration from this aesthetic to create a work that conveyed an aggressive, interesting and mysterious feeling.
The select list of athletes that Neymar is part of when competing in four World Cups
In the United States, Neymar joins an exclusive group of eight players in Brazilian football who participated in four World Cups. This mark is especially rare for attackers. The last person to compete in a World Cup over the age of 30 was Bebeto, in 1998, at 32. Among the world champions, only Garrincha, in 1966, reached the age of 32 on the field. Although late, Ancelotti’s call-up of Neymar, surrounded by discussions, confirmed his presence.
Since May 27, at Granja Comary, the focus has been weeks of news about the severity of his injury, including exams and treatments at the gym. The situation reflects a scenario of little attention to performance on the field and a lot of exposure in the media.
Neymar’s attraction to the villain Joker, who complements the Batman universe
Fernando Quevedo, an artist who has created paintings for other players such as Vini Jr., Batman himself, Spider-Man and several comic book heroes, constantly uses the image of Batman and Joker to probe public opinion about the player. “Whenever I post this image (of Batman and Joker), I ask in the caption: who is he to you? Villain or hero? Or is he both?”, asks the painter.
Bruce Wayne and Gotham City’s inspiration for the star
The World Cups mark different phases in Neymar’s career. After not being called up in 2010, he emerged as the lone star in 2014, carrying the team with four goals in five games until the injury that fractured his rib in the quarter-finals. In 2018, in Russia, he was the target of memes. In Qatar, his great goal seemed to point the way to the sixth, but the defeat resulted in more tears.
At 34 years old, in New York, a city that evokes Batman’s fictional Gotham City, the player who once dreamed of being the best in the world sees his last opportunity. This is a significant challenge for those who are far from their best physical and technical moments. Samir Naliato, editorial supervisor at Panini, publisher of Batman magazines in Brazil since 2002, highlights: “Neymar’s advantage is that he has the power to write his own story in his hands.”
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In the character’s narrative, young Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents, a wealthy family from Gotham City, on the violent streets of the metropolis. He grows up, assumes the identity of Batman and becomes the “Dark Knight” to protect the city from the Joker and other villains.
Neymar’s passion for Batman expressed in personal items, including a bible
Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar’s former manager and acquaintance since he was 12 years old, testifies to the player’s deep obsession with Batman. The star has a tattoo, car, helicopter, game simulator and even a personalized bible with the hero. He already had a themed birthday party, signed a contract with Barcelona wearing the costume and appeared in the Santos dressing room wearing the outfit, all in reference to Batman. Ribeiro interprets this fixation on the “Ney boy” in a simple way.
“Batman and the Joker are remarkable characters, they are iconic in popular culture. It’s normal for a humble child to have this crush on Batman. I think what may have attracted Neymar is that Batman overcame challenges to reach the top. For all of us he is the hero. Because he started from scratch, became a global idol, achieved an unparalleled asset that he never dreamed of. I think this comparison is very healthy”, says the players’ agent.
Ribeiro also adds: “It’s a child thing, right? And if you think about it, Neymar Júnior is still a child. Because he’s always laughing, having fun. Put him, his two girls (daughters), and his children together, and he becomes a child.”
Luiz Maximus, designer and owner of a store specializing in Batman and other heroes in São Bernardo (SP), although not a football enthusiast, constantly receives photos of the player displaying Batman objects. “The other day they sent the bible that he has there with Batman. Then I said: ‘Wow, he really likes it'”, says Luiz, who keeps a two-meter doll of the superhero in his establishment.
The evolution of Batman in the comics and the fascination with the hero without superpowers
The Batman of the comics, a hero without superpowers, was born as “the greatest detective in the world” from Detective Comics (DC). Its popularity experienced a new peak in the phase led by director Christopher Nolan. With a darker, sometimes violent and melancholic approach, the 2005 film “Batman Begins”, Nolan’s first, marked a watershed in the character’s popularity.
Luiz Maximus expresses his fascination with the character: “What attracts me to the character is that thing where the guy overcomes trauma and turns the trauma into something to help people. That’s what I think is f***ing. He’s the guy who doesn’t give up, the guy who never stops.”
If a more obvious sacrifice can be noticed in Neymar in recent times, he was absent from Carnival in February. Wagner Ribeiro reveals that the player received numerous invitations. “He didn’t go to the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, in Salvador. Even his wife went with her family, but he preferred to stay at home enjoying the children and have a more regulated life. More relaxed to recover and also to avoid comments that he is out at night, those things that his age still allows.”
Neymar’s strong emotion upon receiving his personalized Batmobile
Adhemar Cabral, businessman and automotive designer, was one of those responsible for creating Neymar’s Batmobile. The Tumbler model caught the player’s attention, who got in touch to purchase the vehicle. With a V8 engine, original tractor tires and internal panels identical to those in the film, the car even reproduces the flame of fire seen in the Batmobile replica.
“It’s a car just for making noise. You’ll easily reach around 120 km/h, 140 km/h. But it’s just for fun”, recalls Adhemar, who describes Neymar’s reaction upon receiving the car at his home in Mangaratiba. “Man, he almost cried. He had already seen a lot of photos, he had seen videos, everything, but he didn’t believe that this dream of his would come true. You imagine: you are fictionalized in a character and then you have the possibility of having an extremely important item, the Batmobile of a cinema icon, and at home. It’s practically scoring the winning goal in the World Cup”, says the businessman.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is still looking for the ideal position for Neymar in the team. The player’s call-up surprised many, generating confusion and veiled disputes between doctors and between Santos and the CBF. Against Scotland, the star can start another chapter in his journey. Samir Naliato, from Panini, concludes: “There’s drama, there’s resilience, there’s overcoming, there’s a comeback and if in the end the great hero is victorious, it becomes a highly successful comic for sure.”
