Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar, is a Brazilian forward celebrated as one of the finest players of his era. His dynamic style, remarkable passing skills, and ambidextrous abilities have earned him widespread acclaim.

Neymar clinched the FIFA Puskás Award and secured the third spot in the FIFA Ballon d’Or rankings in 2015 and 2017. Notably, he’s among the elite few to have scored over 100 goals for three different clubs, a testament to his scoring prowess.

He burst into the limelight at Santos, showcasing his talent from a young age and aiding Santos in winning their first Copa Libertadores in nearly five decades.

Neymar’s European venture commenced in 2013 at Barcelona, where he formed a formidable attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, affectionately dubbed MSN.

Their debut season together resulted in an incredible continental treble. Neymar’s exceptional performance saw him as the joint top scorer in the UEFA Champions League and the leading scorer in the Copa del Rey.

In pursuit of a central role, Neymar made a record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017, becoming the most expensive player in history. His debut season in France saw him claim the Ligue 1 Player of the Year title and marked the beginning of his collection of five Ligue 1 titles.

Despite injuries, he played a pivotal role in PSG’s journey to the Champions League final in 2019-20. Neymar departed PSG in 2023 as one of their top scorers, securing a lucrative deal with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

At the international level, Neymar has been a standout for Brazil, becoming their all-time leading goal scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances. He’s triumphed in tournaments like the FIFA Confederations Cup and led Brazil to their first Olympic gold in men’s football at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

His World Cup contributions include joining the likes of Pelé and Ronaldo as one of Brazil’s few players to score in three separate editions.

Beyond his on-field achievements, Neymar has garnered numerous accolades, including being named in FIFA’s FIFPro World11 and UEFA Team of the Year, alongside securing various individual awards.

He’s been recognized for his marketability and influence, earning spots on lists like Time’s 100 most influential people and Forbes’ highest-paid athletes rankings.

Early life

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior was born in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, to Neymar Santos Sr. and Nadine da Silva, growing up in a Christian household. His father, a former footballer, became both an advisor and mentor to Neymar as his talent blossomed.

Neymar acknowledges his father’s pivotal role, stating, “He’s been there since my earliest days, managing my finances and our family.”

His passion for futsal and street football shaped his upbringing, with Neymar crediting futsal for honing his technique, quick thinking, and agility in confined spaces.

In 2003, Neymar’s family settled in São Vicente, where he kick-started his youth career with Portuguesa Santista. Shortly after, they relocated to Santos, marking Neymar’s entry into Santos FC. His rising success not only boosted his football career but also elevated his family’s lifestyle.

By 15, Neymar was earning 10,000 reais monthly, which soared to 125,000 reais at 16. At 17, he signed his first professional contract, earned a spot in the Santos senior squad, and began securing lucrative sponsorship deals.

Club career

Santos
Youth
2009  : Debut season
2010   : Campeonato Paulista success
2011    : Puskás Award
2012    : South America’s best player
2013    : Final season

Neymar’s football journey kicked off at Santos in 2003, following in the footsteps of Brazilian icons like Pelé and Robinho. At 17, he debuted professionally, swiftly becoming a pivotal force. His initial seasons were marked by staggering performances, with Neymar’s talent evident through his goal-scoring prowess and accolades like the best player in the Campeonato Paulista.

In 2011, his brilliance shone bright in Santos’ Copa Libertadores triumph, securing their first title since Pelé’s era. A year later, Neymar continued to dominate, achieving his 100th career goal and claiming multiple awards, solidifying himself as South America’s premier talent.

By 2013, Neymar’s departure to Europe loomed, signaling the end of an era at Santos. His emotional farewell match portrayed his deep connection to the club where his incredible journey had begun .

Barcelona

2013–14    : Adapting to Spain
2014–15    : The treble and individual success
2015–16    : Domestic double
2016–17    : Final season
July 2017  :  Desire to leave Barcelona

In May 2013, Neymar made headlines by signing with Barcelona, following an impressive stint at Santos. His arrival, marked by an enthusiastic Camp Nou reception, saw him join the Catalan club after the FIFA Confederations Cup. Although the transfer fee and terms remained undisclosed, the unveiling drew a record crowd, emphasizing the anticipation surrounding the Brazilian star’s move to Spain.

However, controversies surfaced regarding the transfer, leading to investigations into the fee by authorities in Madrid.

The initially reported €57.1 million fee later revealed a larger sum of €86.2 million, sparking further inquiries and ultimately resulting in charges of tax fraud for Barcelona and its officials.

Upon his debut in La Liga, Neymar swiftly showcased his talent, scoring crucial goals and contributing to Barcelona’s victories.

His standout performances included remarkable displays in the Champions League, marking his impact with goals and key assists. The 2014-2015 season saw Neymar hitting impressive milestones, netting crucial goals, and becoming an essential part of Barcelona’s attacking trio, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

Neymar’s tenure at Barcelona yielded notable achievements, including a historic treble-winning season, multiple titles, and individual accolades. However, rumblings of his departure began circulating in 2017, with Neymar expressing a desire to step out of Messi’s shadow and seek a leading role, eventually leading to his request to leave the club.

PSG – Paris Saint-Germain

2017–18         : Debut season and domestic treble
2018–19         : Injury and league title
July 2019       : Potential return to Barcelona
2019–20        : PSG’s first Champions League final
2020–21        : Contract extension
2021–22         : Record-breaking Ligue 1 title and injuries
2022–23         : Final season at PSG
August 2023  : Departure

In August 2017, Neymar’s departure from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) shook the football world, signaling a historic transfer valued at €222 million. This record-breaking move sparked controversy as La Liga refused the payment, citing Financial Fair Play concerns tied to PSG’s financial backing from Qatar.

Joining PSG on a contract until 2022, Neymar’s move aimed to bolster the team’s European ambitions, shifting the dynamic of his career and stirring mixed emotions among Barcelona faithful.

Despite accolades and accolades, Neymar’s relationship with Barcelona fans soured post-transfer, marked by jersey burnings and emotional farewells during his PSG presentation.

His move was met with polarizing reactions, with some criticizing the decision to leave Barcelona. Nonetheless, Neymar’s impact at PSG was evident, shaping Ligue 1’s global status and emerging as its star player.

The legal tussle escalated as Barcelona filed a lawsuit, demanding contract renewal bonuses and additional damages. Neymar’s debut season at PSG showcased his prowess until a foot injury cut it short, ending with him securing the Ligue 1 Player of the Year title.

The subsequent seasons at PSG were marked by a blend of highs and lows. Despite injuries and controversies, Neymar’s contributions remained pivotal, helping PSG secure multiple titles and make deep runs in European competitions. The saga surrounding his potential return to Barcelona and reported interests from other top clubs added to the drama of Neymar’s PSG tenure.

As PSG underwent changes, Neymar’s final season saw uncertainties about his future, amidst talks of a potential exit due to disagreements with the club’s direction. Despite the setbacks, Neymar left a significant mark on PSG’s history, albeit without fulfilling the Champions League aspirations that accompanied his arrival. His departure marked the end of a chapter for both Neymar and PSG, leaving behind a complex legacy marred by unfulfilled expectations and injuries.

Al Hilal

In August 2023, Neymar made a high-profile move to Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal in a €90 million transfer, marking a record purchase for the league. His reported salary of €150 million annually eclipsed his earnings at PSG. While European interest was minimal due to his salary demands and transfer cost.

Neymar aimed to redefine his career in a league that saw other star signings. His debut showcased promise with an assist, but his journey hit a setback when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture during international duty in October 2023, cutting short his early days at Al Hilal after just five appearances.

International career

2010–2012      : Senior debut and first major tournaments
2013–2014      : Confederations Cup triumph and World Cup break thorough
2015–2016       : Assuming the captaincy and Olympic Gold
2018                   : World Cup
2019–2021       : Copa América Runner-up
2022–present : World Cup and all-time Brazil Top Scorer

Neymar’s ascent to the Brazilian national team was marked by fervent debate over his inclusion in the 2010 World Cup squad. Despite pressure and calls for his selection, then-coach Dunga omitted him, citing insufficient international exposure. Neymar, however, debuted in August 2010, stunning with a goal against the United States.

His journey through various tournaments showcased his prowess. From crucial goals in friendlies to shining in the South American Youth Championship and Copa América, Neymar’s talent was undeniable. He contributed significantly to Brazil’s 2013 Confederations Cup victory, earning the Golden Ball for his outstanding performances.

The pinnacle of his international career saw highs and heartbreaks. In the 2014 World Cup, he led Brazil until an injury halted his campaign in the quarter-finals. Despite challenges, he remained a vital asset in subsequent tournaments, securing Olympic gold and breaking records, including becoming Brazil’s top scorer in World Cup qualifiers.