Neymar Jr’s Five, the Brazilian football superstar’s signature five-a-side tournament, is back in the UK for 2018. The tournament kicks off on February 21, with 16 qualifiers taking place over the course of eight weeks, and in eight different locations.

Click here to sign up for a local qualifier near you.

As in previous years, Neymar Jr’s Five will follow the unique format dreamt up by the Paris Saint-Germain star himself. Conceding a goal causes your team to lose a player, with games lasting just 10 minutes – or until your team loses all its players. Players must be between 16-25 to participate, although two players out of the maximum seven per squad can be over 25.

Successful teams from the local qualifiers will go on to compete in the national final in Birmingham on May 5, with the winning teams going on to compete in the global finals at the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr in Praia Grande; Brazil, an academy set up by Neymar Jr himself to help those in surrounding areas take part in a variety of sports.

The road to the Neymar Jr’s Five World Final has already begun with players from more than 60 countries and six continents set to battle it out for global glory under the watchful eye of Neymar Jr. Last year, over 100,000 players from 53 countries took part in the competition and this year the countries participating has increased meaning even more teams will line up with the chance to be crowned champions.

Although teams can be mixed, 2018 will also see the introduction of an all-women tournament to Neymar Jr’s Five at two of the UK qualifying rounds to get even more players involved in this fast-paced format.

Speaking of the event, Neymar Jr said: “What makes me really excited is that each edition brings more players from more countries so I’m glad to know that everyone wants to participate, and I feel happy to be part of it, this is what excites me the most.”

“I’m very happy to increase the number of players, the number of teams signing up and the number of countries has also increased,” he added. “It’s very big but I hope it can get even bigger. We have more teams than the World Cup, which has 32 teams.”

Last year saw a team from the UK make it to the Brazilian final however with just one player left in the game from both teams, IFC Fives were knocked out of the competition. Speaking of the experience, team captain Dan Beszant said “From winning the national final in Newcastle to playing in Brazil at the Neymar Jr’s Five World Final and meeting Neymar Jr, the whole experience was incredible. For anyone looking to compete this year, one hundred per cent do it – although watch out as we’ll be back and looking to retain our title!”

To sign up for Neymar Jr’s Five go to www.neymarjrsfive.com and sign up your five-a-side team.

Report courtesy of Pitch