Football influencer dies after well being battle as Neymar leads tributes – ‘This is for you’
An influencer has tragically died after a three-year battle with cancer with Neymar leading the tributes to Santos’ “eternal fan”
Neymar shared a touching tribute at social media(Image: JamPress)
An influencer has tragically died after a three-year battle with cancer aged 39. Naty Potira’s passed away on Saturday (September 26), with the sad news being confirmed by Brazilian giants Santos.
Santos, in a statement, shared: “It is with great sorrow that Santos FC announces the death of our eternal supporter, Naty Potira. Natalia was a flight attendant who always showed her love for the club.
“Thank you, Naty. Thank you for everything you did for the club and for everyone who loved you.” And Santos legend Neymar shared his own statement: “Rest in peace. Cheer for us from up there.”
Naty Potira, 39, has sadly died(Image: JamPress)
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Naty, whose full name was Natalia Potiraporã Martins da Conceição, worked as a flight attendant before building a following of over 465,000 with match reactions and jokes about Santos.
The influencer, who lived in São Paulo, Brazil, discovered she had cervical cancer in routine tests in 2023. She later said she was clear, but then the disease came back as a metastasis in 2024.
Chemo and radiotherapy cleared tumours in her neck and cervix, but it later spread through her abdomen. She was admitted to Hospital Leforte in late August and sedated on 20 September.
Naty Potira was a huge Santos fan(Image: JamPress)
Her partner, Guilherme Kastner, a Santos TV producer, said: “My best friend. The great love of my life has gone to rest. I love you forever.”
In May this year, she met Neymar and was given one of his shirts. She wrote: “I lived a dream! Receiving the affection of an idol was an unreal surprise.”
She said she froze and then cried afterwards. She quoted him: “God bless you. It will be all right. Stay strong.” After Santos beat Corinthians 1-0 on 30 August, he filmed a dressing-room clip for her.
“I hope you saw it and liked it. This victory is for you,” he said. While she was sedated he sent another video. “Hi Naty, just sending a kiss and to say our side is flying. Stay with God, we’re together. Stay strong, warrior.”
She had been an ambassador for the 2026 São Paulo State Championship and took part in the club’s Pink October cancer drives.
