Brazil and Barcelona striker Neymar’s own signature tournament – the Neymar Jr’s Five – will be staging a qualifying competition in Malta, giving young players the chance to step up their game in a competition where special rules apply.

The tournament, sponsored by Red Bull, will be played at the Luxol Grounds in April.

Players aged between 16 and 25 are eligible to take part in the five-a-side knock-out competition.

“This is the kind of football I have always loved to play and this time we will be playing football with a special twist,” Neymar said.

The rules stipulate that each five-player team will lose one member each time they concede a goal until there are no players left. More information for the local qualifier can be found on the Facebook event page, Neymar Jr’s Five – Malta, and teams can register on Neymarjrsfive.com.

Qualifiers will be played in 35 countries across the world with each national champion advancing to the finals which will be played in Praia Grande, the place where Neymar grew up, in July.

“I always dreamed of putting on my own signature tournament and invite the best teams over to my home town,” Neymar added.

“This finally becomes a reality so I’m really looking forward to see what these players can do – and have a great time doing it.”