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THAT'S NUTS
I’m the nutmeg king and this is how I tricked PSG star Neymar – and I’ve done the same to Evra and Mahrez
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PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN trickster Neymar received a taste of his own medicine after being embarrassed by panna world champion Jack Downer.
The 30-year-old is so often the star of the show where he wows supporters with his dazzling skills and Brazilian flair.
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Just last month the ex-Barcelona star reminded supporters of his quality as he scored a stunning second against Lorient after gloriously nutmegging Fabien Lemoine.
And the 2016 Olympic gold medallist has now been on the receiving end after being shown up by Downer, an expert in panna - which focuses on the art of street football.
Neymar and his PSG team-mates took a trip to Doha in Qatar last week ahead of their final Ligue 1 game of the season where they beat Metz 5-0.
While in the Gulf nation, Neymar tested himself in a one-v-one against the 2020 Super Ball World Championship winner.
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The 24-year-old Brit shared a clip of himself on where he successfully managed to nutmeg Neymar.
Neymar was left stunned as he simply walked away laughing with the crowd heard gasping loudly in the background.
Speaking to SunSport, Downer revealed how he managed to nutmeg one of world football's biggest flair players: "I already said to my friend what move would get him before I did it.
"It's called M10 and I knew it would work. It has worked on most footballers. I've got Riyad Mahrez with it.
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"I also got Patrice Evra with it.
"I knew he'd be conservative which means he's going to have his legs together - he's going to be clever.
"Normally for that it means making them feel like they can get the ball which means slowing down your speed.
"Going fast, fast, fast they're not going to tackle. When you change speed they're going to go for it and that's what I did."
Most would be nervous when meeting a global superstar like Neymar, but not Downer.
The Brit was eager to show Neymar what skills he has in his locker.
Downer said: "It was thrilling working with Neymar. I was out in Qatar. I was there with [Kylian] Mbappe, Neymar, Xavi Simons, [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, Marquinhos, [Nuno] Mendes. It was sick.
"But the one that I wanted to meet was Neymar. He has been an idol for many years and the last couple of years I've tried to meet him.
"I wasn't nervous. But I was hoping that I'd be able to play against him. I wanted to be able to show him my skills."
Playing style is where Downer and Neymar find common ground. Flair football is the most exciting to watch.
To both, it's how "football should be played".
Downer continued: "Neymar is the biggest [star i've worked with]. Obviously there's Ronaldo and Messi but for me Neymar is such an inspiration.
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"What he does for football, for flair... When I spoke to him I said 'this is the way football should be played'.
"In a way he's one of the last of that sort of style, for now. That's why he's such a global superstar."
Many view some footballers at the top of the game as arrogant and egotistical, and in some cases, they're probably right.
But up close and personal, Neymar spreads positivity, is grounded and surprisingly quiet.
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Downer said: "Neymar is a legend, straight facts. He's really humble, he's a nice guy and his energy is really good.
"He's quite quiet. Always positive. If he's saying something, it's positive.
"Obviously he's very busy. Obviously his time is incredibly precious and I feel like there's a strain on him but he handles it very well.
"He's very, very kind. He's supportive. He's very funny.
"But you know what surprised me the most? He's very strong. When we were playing the 1v1s, there was a moment where he nudged me a little.
"He's so fast. over half or a couple of yards, he's gone.
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"He's human and for someone of his calibre, sometimes you forget that. He hasn't got an ego and he's a great guy."
* to watch Street Panna vs Neymar 1v1 challenge
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