Seeing two sporting worlds collide is not a rare sight. Formula 1 attracts attention from athletes from various disciplines and the pilots also indulge in various other sports. This correlation often results in these athletes making each other’s acquaintance. However, in some scenarios, these acquaintances become friends. Such is the case with Lewis Hamilton and Brazilian football star Neymar Jr.

Ever since their first encounter, the two highly talented and eccentric athletes have become thick as thieves. If there is any doubt, we will try to prove their growing relationship starting from their very first encounter leading up to many in the last few years.

When did Lewis Hamilton and Neymar Jr. first meet?

The two got acquainted with each other during the 2016 Copa América Centenario tournament. The world’s oldest international football tournament is also the most prestigious South American football tournament. However, because of America’s hosting duties in 2016, the teams part of CONCACAF also participated in the tournament.

Neymar’s Brazil sadly could not even qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament. However, Neymar, during the tournament, met the then-three-time F1 world champion. The two stars that met during the tournament forged a formidable relationship from then.

The two have maintained said relationship until at least 2022. We know that because Hamilton even shared a message for his friends after Brazil’s defeat to Croatia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “I’m so proud of you all! @neymarjr @danialves” wrote Hamilton on his Instagram story.

Read More: Lewis Hamilton Joins Millions in Mourning Crushing Brazilian FIFA Defeat, With a Message to Weeping Neymar

However, let’s not skip the buildup of their friendship, which starts in 2016 and leads up to 2022. Let’s look at all the times the two stars have spent time with each other during the time frame.

All the instances of Lewis Hamilton meeting Neymar Jr. from 2016 till today

The meeting during the 2016 tournament was the birth of a formidable friendship. The two stars have been in regular contact since then and have met each other on multiple occasions.

Starting from 2016, the pair met on regular basis throughout 2017. According to Marca, during his preseason preparations, Neymar paid Hamilton a visit in London. The then-Barcelona FC player took a brief excursion before the La Liga heavyweight clash against Atletico Madrid.

Hamilton returned the favor when he was present to watch his friend make an incredible comeback against Neymar’s current club PSG in the champions league (CL).

A few months later, the two met up again to catch some NBA action. The two got the courtside show of Golden State’s win over Cleveland. Neymar immortalized the memory with an Instagram post. The Brazilian captioned the post, “With my bro @lewishamilton” showcasing the bromance.

The pair met again away from the sporting world and for a fashion event at the London fashion week. The two were pictured together sitting next to the ramp. Toward the end of 2017, Neymar cemented his bromance with Hamilton. The Brazilian was present at the Mexican GP where Hamilton won his fourth championship. Neymar even shared a message on the team radio for the world champion.

We have just covered 2017, the two kept building on their friendship in the following years.

The Neymar Jr. and Hamilton bromance continued

The two kept their relationship alive in private through most of 2018. The first public encounter in 2019 between the two brought Hamilton some luck. Neymar visited the track during the Spanish GP weekend as a guest of rival team Red Bull. The Brazilian, however, wished his Mercedes friend luck before the race which Hamilton won.

Hamilton even shared a post on his Instagram thanking Neymar for his contribution. He thanked Neymar in the caption: “Brother @neymarjr, thank you for the positive vibes before the race 🙌🏾”

Neymar even tried partaking in Hamilton’s interests but backed out from jumping out of a plane for fun, one of Hamilton’s favorite pastimes. Building on their friendship, Hamilton revealed to the press in 2021 ahead of the Brazilian GP how the two are in constant contact. He said, “I’m very much in contact with Neymar, quite often, we were just talking actually earlier today.”

Proving that Hamilton shared a photo on Instagram with his Brazilian mate and French star Kylian Mbappe.

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The two have become closer as the years have passed and we definitely have a never-ending friendship in front of us. If this isn’t proof enough, we’re not sure what will suffice.