Neymar already lived in the area where the Seleção played in Cuiabá On the eve of the 2026 World Cup, when millions of Brazilians follow the Brazilian team and the players' journeys, a curious trend shows how the passion for sport also leaves its mark off the pitch. In Mato Grosso, 41 people bear the name Neymar, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). The records are concentrated between 2010 and 2019, a period that coincides with the attacker's rise to the position of one of the country's main players. Among them is Neymar Daniel Alves, 16 years old, resident of Cuiabá. He says that the name arouses curiosity among colleagues. Some people even doubt that Neymar is his registered name. The explanation for the choice, however, began even before his mother became pregnant. ✅ Click here to follow the g1 MT channel on WhatsApp To g1, his father, Izaias Domingos Alves Gonçalves, 52 years old, who is passionate about football, said he was impressed with the player's performance during a Santos match in 2009. According to him, at the time, commentators and coaches already pointed out that Neymar Jr had the potential to become a star in Brazilian football. The name was etched in memory and the following year, with the arrival of his son, the decision was made: the boy would be named in honor of the athlete. "At the time, they said that he would be a future star and that he still needed to be polished. After hearing that, I started following him. In 2010, I had my son and the name Neymar came to mind. I spoke to my wife, she agreed if we added 'Daniel' and it ended up staying", said Izaias. Neymar Daniel Alves, 16 years old and his father Izaias Domingos Alves Gonçalves, 52 years old Reproduction But, although he inherited his name from a football player, the young man found his own way in the sport. In addition to enjoying playing ball, he is also a judo athlete, a sport he discovered through the influence of his mother, a martial arts practitioner. "Sport represents my life. It has opened up several opportunities for me and everything I do has sport in the middle", said the teenager. Izaias also said that, at home, sport is part of the family's routine. In addition to following martial arts championships, they also don't miss football competitions and are looking forward to watching the 2026 World Cup games. Striker previously lived in MT Neymar Jr with his father and sister Reproduction The connection between Neymar and Mato Grosso goes beyond registry office records. Born in Mogi das Cruzes (SP), the attacker lived in the metropolitan region of Cuiabá, more precisely in Várzea Grande, when he was around 5 years old. The change occurred because his father, Neymar da Silva Santos, played professionally for Operário Várzea-grandense in 1997. Also read: 2026 World Cup: see when the tournament starts and ends Are you going to paint the streets for the World Cup? See what is allowed in Cuiabá MT families spend more than R$1,300 on a World Cup album