How Peru 'Shamans' Tried to Neutralise Neymar in World Cup Qualifier Ritual, Video

How Peru 'Shamans' Tried to Neutralise Neymar in World Cup Qualifier Ritual, Video

Isaac Darko
updated at September 13, 2023 at 7:42 AM
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  • Peruvian shamans performed a ritual against Brazil before their World Cup qualifier
  • But it failed woefully as Neymar and Brazil claimed a last-gasp win
  • Brazil's victory puts them on top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table

Neymar and Brazil defied the pre-match rituals of Peru to capture maximum points in Lima, thanks to a late winning goal by Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos.

Leading up to Peru's clash against Brazil in the World Cup qualifying game, Peruvian fans engaged in fetish rituals in an effort to nullify Brazilian superstar Neymar.

However, their strategy ultimately misfired, as the new Al Hilal star played a crucial role by delivering a pivotal assist for Selecao's winning goal.

Peru, Shamans, Neymar
Peruvian shamans tie up an effigy of Neymar as they tried to "neutralize" him before Peru versus Brazil clash. Credit: @SelecaoTalk
Source: Twitter

Peru shamans 'curse' Neymar?

According to El Diario, via France24, a group of traditional healers from the jungle, mountains, and coastal areas, called on "Tayta Inti" (Father Sun), to help Peru triumph over the five-time World Cup winners.

They built an altar on one side of the National Stadium in Lima, where they placed amulets, swords, flags and photographs of players from both teams.

In Neymar's photo, the shamans placed a brown rag doll, the left leg of which was tied to the image of the football player, and the right leg to a steel sword.

In a video shared on social media, shamans also placed thorny plants and sea shells in the photographs of Brazilian players Richarlison, and Casemiro, as well as head coach Fernando Dinis.

However, their intentions seemed to go awry, as the former Paris Saint-Germain forward assisted in a heart-wrenching last-minute goal by Marquinhos, securing all three points for his team.

How did Neymar fare against Peru?

Neymar did not deliver his most dominant performance in the challenging Lima environment.

The Peruvian practitioners of voodoo may have believed their efforts were successful when the 31-year-old forward missed a significant opportunity to put Brazil ahead just before halftime.

Neymar would have the final say late in the game, as Marquinho's soaring header proved to be the decisive blow to the hopes of the home team, winning 1-0.

This victory propels Brazil to the summit of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying standings, tied in points with their rivals Argentina but holding the edge in goal difference.

PSG fans mock Neymar

Neymar and PSG supporters' sour relationship took a different twist when the ultras of the club sent him a message before the club's Ligue 1 game against Lens, Sports Brief reported.

Before the game against Lens, fans unveiled a banner insulting Neymar.

Authors
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Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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