Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. is joining forces with Portuguese equestrian business group Horse Team in what has been described as a “historic” moment for the sport.
The former FC Barcelona and PSG star becomes the first footballer to support global equestrianism – according to the Portuguese company – and will look to leverage his international audience to support the growth of the sport.
As Horse Team’s first global ambassador, Neymar will use his sporting impact to support the Brazilian Dressage Team, which features the likes of João Marcari Oliva and Renderson Oliveira, as they are set to compete at the Pan American Games in Chile next October.
As part of the announcement of Neymar’s partnership, the Brazilian international visited the Horse Team equestrian centre in Santo Estevão, Portugal and also recorded an advertising campaign.
Neymar said: “I’m very happy to join the Horse Team/Campline Horses family, even more so to meet João Marcari Oliva and Renderson Oliveira, for everything they’ve done to take Brazil to the top of equestrian sport.
“I’ve always been curious to learn more about horses and I’m looking forward to learning more from them and celebrating the victories to come.
“This partnership is not just about sport, but also about the values we share: teamwork, defending equality, protecting animals, nature and, of course, love for Brazil.”
The Horse Team, the exclusive owner of the two Olympic Purebred Lusitano horses – Escorial and Fogoso – and hundreds of their offspring, has expressed its “confidence” about the partnership, under which NN Consultoria and Neymar Santos, the footballer’s father, assuming exclusive commercial representation of Horse Team in Latin America.
Rui Hortelão, CEO of Horse Team/Campline Horses Group, added: “Having Neymar Jr. as a Global Ambassador is an extraordinary step and a huge responsibility, given everything he represents in world sport.
“As we already had the opportunity to witness in Santo Estevão last week, where he made a point of going, despite the change of life he was making, we believe that this partnership will inspire a wider public to appreciate the talent, beauty and values of dressage, enhancing Portugal as a tourist destination with an equestrian tradition.”
