Neymar Filipe, 33 years old, is a teacher from Caruaru and a Palmeiras fan Reproduction/Social Media Since before the 2026 World Cup began, one of the names most talked about by fans, rivals and the press itself, whether due to the controversies or great expectations generated around the competition, was just one: Neymar. Throughout the country, several namesakes resonate with unusual stories and curiosities. In Caruaru, in the Agreste of Pernambuco, one of them is Neymar Filipe Barboza. The Pernambuco native and resident of Caruaru is a 33-year-old teacher and revealed details about the choice of name, mockery from students and also said that his great football passion is a rival of “Menino Ney's” team, Palmeiras. ✅ Receive news from g1 Caruaru and the region on your WhatsApp Now on g1 The professional works in the technology and communication sector, as a technical teacher. However, it had a trajectory in the classroom, often marked by jokes made by students. In some cases, there were those who doubted his very name. "They didn't believe that my name was Neymar. Then, they thought I was trying to catch the player's hype. There was a time of a lot of games, of cai-cai and so on...", said the teacher. According to Neymar de Caruaru, the origin of the name has nothing to do with the football star. Born just a few months apart from number ten, the professor had his name chosen for a very common reason. "A family friend chose my name. He suggested my parents' initials: Neide and Marcos", he said. READ ALSO Neymar's look-alike goes to the World Cup, deceives fans and causes a stir in the United States; see video From Neymar to Wesley: understand the injuries that took Brazil's players out of the 2026 World Cup Brazil debuts in the World Cup with a game in the United States; see all the national team's games When asked about being a fan of the player, Professor Neymar revealed that he was, but admitted that he is a fan of a rival team. During a recent birthday party, the traditional black and white colors of Santos, worn by the star number 10, gave way to the green of Palmeiras. "Neymar has always been a reference for well-played football and the numbers don't lie. [But] I'm a Palmeiras fan and I have a five-year-old son. The "problem" is that lately he only celebrates Palmeiras' goals", he said. 'Professor Neymar' says students didn't believe in the origin of the name Reproduction/Social Media Asked about Carlo Ancelotti's choice to take his namesake to the World Cup, Neymar de Caruaru approved his namesake's call-up. According to him, the Seleção has a real chance of winning the sixth place in the 2026 World Cup and also revealed a feeling of optimism. "All the other players called up have Neymar as an idol and this creates a very important leadership. He will help a lot to bring the six. Brazil has a good team, with very decisive players. In a short competition like the World Cup, we will always be among the favorites", he said. 2026 World Cup and São João Carlo Ancelotti's Brazilian team makes its debut at the 2026 World Cup this Saturday, June 13, against Morocco, in the first round of the competition played in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the interior of Pernambuco, in full June weather, several entertainment centers in São João will broadcast Brazil's matches during the festivities. In the confrontation against Morocco, Pátio do Forró, the main entertainment hub in Caruaru, will have big screens spread throughout the space for forrozeiros to cheer. Check out the team's next matches at the 2026 World Cup below: Brazil x Haiti — 2nd round: June 19 (Friday), at 9:30 pm Brasília (8:30 pm local time), at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium, in Philadelphia/United States. Scotland x Brazil — 3rd round: June 24th (Wednesday), at 7pm Brasília (6pm local time), at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami/United States. If they finish the group stage at the top of the group, Brazil will face the second place in Group F in the round of 16, formed by the Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and Sweden. Furthermore, the first position guarantees that the Brazilian team will remain in the United States throughout the World Cup.