- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Jimmy Butler Cracks Neymar Jr. Joke During Meeting With Brazilian Tennis Star
The Warriors star met with Luisa Stefani at the Indian Wells tennis tournament.
Mar. 8, 2026 at 4:34pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, attended the Indian Wells tennis tournament and met with Brazilian tennis player Luisa Stefani. During their interaction, Butler jokingly introduced himself as "Neymar Jr.", referencing his relationship with the Brazilian soccer star.
Why it matters
Butler's lighthearted joke highlights his sense of humor despite being sidelined by injury. The reference to Neymar also showcases the NBA player's connections with other high-profile Brazilian athletes.
The details
When Butler met Stefani, he immediately remarked on finding so many Brazilians in one place. He then introduced himself as "Neymar Jr.", a reference to the Brazilian soccer star. The two athletes have a relationship that dates back to Butler's time with the Miami Heat, when Neymar posted a photo wearing a Butler t-shirt.
- Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this season.
- Butler attended the Indian Wells tennis tournament in March 2026.
The players
Jimmy Butler
A 6-time NBA All-Star who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors. He is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Luisa Stefani
A Brazilian tennis player who Butler met at the Indian Wells tournament.
Neymar Jr.
A Brazilian soccer star who has a relationship with Jimmy Butler dating back to Butler's time with the Miami Heat.
What they’re saying
“Brazilian? Oh me too! … My name is Neymar Jr.”
— Jimmy Butler, NBA Player
What’s next
As Butler recovers from his injury, the Warriors will look to see how quickly he can return to the court and help the team make a playoff push.
The takeaway
Despite being sidelined by injury, Jimmy Butler remains in good spirits, showcasing his sense of humor and strong relationships with other high-profile athletes like Neymar Jr.
