He's a strike-r after all: Neymar Jr. throws 1st pitch in Miami

March 29th, 2024

MIAMI – loanDepot park boasts being the home of béisbol, but it welcomed Brazilian soccer star Neymar ahead of Thursday afternoon’s Opening Day matchup between the Pirates and Marlins, which Pittsburgh won, 6-5, in 12 innings.

Neymar threw out the first pitch to reigning National League batting champion , then posed for photos and signed a baseball. The club presented Neymar with a No. 10 home Marlins jersey.

The 32-year-old Neymar, who is a forward for Al Hilal of the Saudi Pro League, is recovering from surgery to repair anterior cruciate ligaments and meniscus injuries in his left knee last November.

Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer with 79, Neymar was a teammate of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at FC Barcelona, where they formed an attacking trio nicknamed “MSN.” Neymar and Messi later played together again at Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar also recently attended the Miami Open tennis tournament with Jimmy Butler, star of the NBA’s Miami Heat.