In the world of professional athletes, there has been a long-standing tradition of turning training arrivals into a prime opportunity to flaunt their opulence. One notable incident involved former NBA player Antoine Walker of the Boston Celtics, who drove his Ferrari to a workout in a cheeky display of his wealth. However, this move didn’t sit well with the competitive Michael Jordan, a true legend of the sport. Jordan, renowned for his relentless pursuit of greatness, responded by outdoing Walker, arriving in a different Ferrari each day for the next week of workouts, all while sporting matching Jumpman sweatsuits. It was a classic display of one-upmanship between two titans of the basketball world.
Fast forward to a slightly more modern context, and we find Neymar Jr, the Paris Saint-Germain sensation, executing a training arrival that would make even Michael Jordan nod in approval. In 2019, after recovering from a metatarsal injury that kept him sidelined for three months of the 2018-2019 season, Neymar joined the Brazil national team for the Copa America tournament. Instead of opting for one of his numerous supercars or a chauffeured ride, Neymar made a dramatic entrance by descending onto the Granja Comary sports complex in Teresopolis, Brazil, via a majestic Mercedes-Benz Airbus H-145 helicopter.
The Mercedes-Benz Airbus H-145 helicopter is an engineering marvel, measuring 13.64 meters in length and 3.95 meters in height, with a top speed of 150 MPH (241 km/h). It boasts a specially furnished VIP lounge designed by Mercedes, capable of accommodating up to 11 people. Neymar’s customized helicopter is the epitome of luxury, with a sleek midnight black paint job and Batman logos on the interior seating, paying homage to the football star’s favorite superhero.
Interestingly, Neymar Jr’s affinity for Batman goes beyond the interior of his helicopter; he also sports a prominent tattoo of the Dark Knight alongside what appears to be the Andrew Garfield-era Spider-Man. Such is his admiration for these iconic characters that he decided to incorporate them into his high-flying lifestyle.
Apart from his striking Mercedes-Benz helicopter, which reportedly set him back a cool €13 мιIIιоnꜱ/ AU$20.3 мιIIιоnꜱ, Neymar Jr has also embraced the life of a jetsetter with his own Embraer Legacy 450 private jet, worth approximately €12.2 мιIIιоnꜱ/ U$19.1 мιIIιоnꜱ. Owning such extravagant modes of transportation has become a symbol of success and status among professional athletes, and Neymar Jr is undoubtedly relishing the opportunities to jet around the globe in style.
In a world where athletes’ fortunes are often as remarkable as their sporting achievements, Neymar Jr’s lavish helicopter and private jet are clear indicators of his superstar status. While some may view these displays of wealth as ostentatious, for these athletes, they are a tangible representation of their hard-earned success and a testament to the heights they have reached in their respective careers. The desire to make a grand entrance goes beyond the field of play, as they continue to demonstrate their larger-than-life personas and embrace the trappings of fame with gusto.