“Still Losing”: Jimmy Butler Rejects Neymar’s Love Online With Hilarious Shade at Brazilian Superstar

The Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has been enjoying the offseason after the 34-year-old’s team could make it past the first round of playoffs. However, it might not be that regrettable as their opponents were the mighty Boston Celtics, who hold the NBA title right now. For now, Butler is having fun in Los Angeles with his “brother” and Brazilian football icon Neymar Jr. No wonder when you are as legendary as the six-time NBA All-Star, you have some extraordinary friends to go on a coffee with like Butler got the 32-year-old. Notably, being friends for more than a couple of years has brought a bit of candidness into their mutual behavior that got public with Jimmy’s hilarious reply to Neymar’s love.

Neymar always seems to have a good time with Jimmy, as is evident from his photos of the basketball icon. On June 22, Neymar carried the same tradition by sharing the moments with Butler, donning the same Balenciaga t-shirt. But this time, the football superstar also added a text expressing his admiration that read, “I love you ❤️@jimmybutler.” Yet Jimmy Butler, being a competitive spirit as always, replied satirically, responding to Neymar Jr. minutes after his story on Instagram with the caption, “All that and you still losing to me at poker tomm.” Apparently, it seemed that Butler took a dig at Neymar like best friends do. They even shared some moments of them playing poker together on Instagram stories later.

Both of the elite athletes share a close bond, as the 6x NBA All-Star himself said in an interview with the Guardian, “I see him as a brother, you know what I mean? I’ll fly anywhere to go watch my brother play. It’s a real family vibe around him.” Clearly, the Heat forward has the utmost respect for Neymar regarding friendship, as he also admires the latter’s relationship with his family. Sports and family were what bonded them after their first meet in 2017. Hopefully, it is going well for both of the athletes.

How did Jimmy Butler, a basketball player, have great relations with a pro footballer like Neymar Jr?

Jimmy Butler is a passionate man when it comes to children and family. He has a daughter, Rylee Butler, whose personal details are kept away from the limelight. Surprisingly, during an interview with the Guardian in January 2024, he revealed that it was Neymar’s relationship with his children that bonded both of them together. Apparently, Neymar Jr is also a father to a son, Dave Lucca, from his ex-girlfriend. Jimmy Butler revealed that he loves how the footballer guides his children and teaches them in every aspect.

Overall, it is all too inspiring for the Heat to move forward. Despite bonding over such an intimate topic, both of them share quite light moments together. Jimmy Butler loves to share laughs and play competitive games with the football icon. Though he taunted Neymar for sucking at poker, he admires the latter’s athletic prowess as he confessed to the Guardian, “He’s [obviously] a great footballer. He’s actually pretty good at basketball, too.”

It seems that despite not showing much, Butler learns from Neymar Jr. The footballer is 2-years younger than Jimmy Butler and still gives hope to get better all around him. What moment will you want to share with these athletes if you meet them? Let us know in the comments.

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