Mexican club mocks Neymar with hilarious halftime contest (Video)

Senior reporter

Sun, Jul 8, 2018, 10:09 PM

Neymar’s antics at the 2018 World Cup have officially gone viral. The latest example? Some halftime savagery from Mexican club Tijuana at a preseason friendly.

[More: Why soccer players flop, and why criticism is too harsh]

Brazil was eliminated by Belgium on Friday, but its star left a lasting impression on the tournament, and on the world. His legacy has crystallized in the form of the “Neymar Challenge,” which … well, we’ll just let you watch:

#NeymarChallenge durante el medio tiempo del @Xolos vs @csherediano1921 pic.twitter.com/8TDqj9lmTm
— Claudia Rodríguez (@RClaudia89) July 8, 2018

The rolling race seems to be a Tijuana invention. The Neymar Challenge, though, is not. It’s the newest internet phenomenon.

It’s infiltrated youth soccer camps and practices:

Me queda claro que uno #HagoDramaCuando uno se vuelve experto en el #NeymarStyle al practicar el #NeymarChallenge pic.twitter.com/kMUCMMi5Po
— Iñaki Alvarez (@inakialvarez) July 5, 2018

#Neymar challenge accepted pic.twitter.com/sVPBcP0ztC
— Chongo Mulenga (@muchips) July 5, 2018

#Rusia2018
El #NeymarChallenge sigue recorriendo todo el mundo, ahora fue el turno de México…
Tienen buen futuro estos pequeños, algún día serán igual de pésimos actores que @neymarjr… pic.twitter.com/px0NfjSpwM
— Los Expulsados (@losexpulsados) July 8, 2018

It was performed at a big watch party for Belgium’s quarterfinal against Brazil:

“Faute sur Neymar” Voilà bon. OK bye bye. #NeymarChallenge #BRABEL pic.twitter.com/1ilIXdztg4
— Vinz (@vinzradio) July 6, 2018

The Neymar Challenge is taking over Moscow streets …

Neymar Challenge pic.twitter.com/IR2uIafg5l
— Sergio Cárdenas (@sergiocardenasl) July 6, 2018

… and TV shows …

Acá con el #NeymarChallenge de @LMFOXSports Actuación de primera, casi como @neymarjr #BRA #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/7saQYRSRuz
— Andrés Islas (@CapsNarrador) July 7, 2018

… and the sets of TV shows …

#NeymarChallenge en Directo a Rusia.
Nuestros sublimes dotes histriónicos a las 7 de la mañana.@PaolaRojas @daniellemx_ @VIVImartinez01 @EnriqueBurak @TD_Deportes https://t.co/gb07acV5O0 pic.twitter.com/p8Xi98hdW6
— Guillermo Schutz (@memo_schutz) July 6, 2018

It’s everywhere. It’s sweeping the globe.

It is, in all honestly, a bit harsh on Neymar. There’s a method to his madness. He had an excellent tournament. And he’s far from the only one who flops. But there’s no going back now.