Konami rely on fading star Neymar to take on EA Sports

 
Japanese gaming firm Konami have put Neymar Jr front and centre of their latest eFootball campaign, underlining the 33-year-old Brazilian’s status as the company’s marquee ambassador despite his diminishing global appeal. 

The campaign, which runs from September 25 to October 23, features Neymar in a trailer and as part of limited in-game rewards available to players across eFootball and eFootball Champion Squads as it fuses with other Konami property Yu-Gi-Oh!.

Anyone logging in during the promotional window will be able to unlock exclusive Neymar content, with the forward once again acting as the brand’s key point of engagement.

Neymar first signed on with Konami in 2021 and has since become synonymous with eFootball’s efforts to position itself as a credible alternative to EA Sports, which dominates the market with its FC franchise. Konami’s decision to make him the focal point of this new campaign is an interesting move when compared to the more high-profile stars being leaned on commercially by rivals. 

EA Sports’ FC26 title releases on Friday, with Konami aiming to steal some of their thunder with this campaign, betting on a player who is no longer in his prime. 

Since originally signing on in 2021, their Brazilian frontman is lacking some of his original star power. Whilst EA have penned deals with Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe – all at the peak of their powers – Konami’s decision to back Neymar feels a little pale in comparison.

Neymar currently plies his trade in Brazil for Santos, though spent two years with Al Hilal in the Saudi League – enduring most of it on the treatment table.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

El-Kanemi suffer first defeat, as Kun Khalifat get first win

Image
 By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports    El-Kanemi Warriors FC got their first taste of defeat of the 2025/26 Nigeria Professional Football League season, as the fell to Kun Khalifat FC away from home, in a lively showdown at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, South-East, Nigeria. The highly anticipated game kicked off, with the home fans turning up in numbers to support their team and the hosts wasted no time in showing their intent as they started brightly, creating two clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges, coming agonizing close to breaking the deadlock.   Kun Khalifat kept knocking and their persistence paid off in the 34th minute as they took the lead, enjoying the comfort of a 1-0 halftime advantage. After the restart, El-Kanemi Warriors responded with fierce determination, leveling the scoreline, with the first play of the second half, as Ebuka Okoro scored a stunning volley to level at 1-all.   The celebrations were short-li...
Read more

National Sports Commission reassigns Federations and Associations Secretary Generals

Image
...Rita Mosindi of athIetics moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball now to serve as Zonal Coordinator South-South  ...Ejiro Thukson of scrabble now in chess as Ikhana Mbora leaves Lagos to serve as Deputy Director, Federation - FEAD By Maxwell Kumoye      The National Sports Commission (NSC), has reassigned Secretary Generals of the various National Sports Federations and Associations. Rita Mosindi of AthIetics has been moved to NSF/PARA, Peter Njoku of Basketball is now the Coordinator of the NSC in the South-South zone, in Benin. While the scribe of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Mrs Ejiro Thukson has been moved to the Nigeria Chess Federation (NCF). AthIetics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), will now be handled by Inwang Israel Mfon, formerly with Mixed Martial Arts.  Olalekan Faseesin of Teqball takes over Boxing Federation from Dapo Akinyele and Anusa Agoga Victor of Wheelchair Tennis Federation is now the scribe of Nigeria Scrabble Fe...
Read more

World record holder Amusan breeze into the women's 100m hurdles semi final

Image
...Records joint fifth fast qualifying time with Masai Russell ...Ajayi, Okon in search of slots in men's 100m, as Okezie, Ogazi begins Tokyo expedition today  By Maxwell Kumoye        Women's world record holder Tobi Amusan comfortably cruised into the semi final of the 100m on Sunday morning in Tokyo, Japan at the ongoing World Athletics Championships. Running in the final heat of the race, Amusan produced a quick start off the block that included heavyweights like Devynne Charlton and Elena Carraro to finish in 12.53s without dropping a sweat. Devynne Charlton came second in 12.69s and Elena Carraro in 12.86s which was enough to see them through to the semi final of Monday. Amusan's timing was the 5th fastest in the six heats on Sunday morning. Jamaica's Danielle Williams topped with her 12.40s in heat 2 ahead of Grace Stark in 12.46s, Nadine Visser 12.48s and Pia Skrzyszowska 12.51s. Masai Russell, running in heat 1 also stopped the clock the sam...
Read more