Neymar
Who was Neymar?
Brazilian forward who plays for Al Hilal and the Brazil national team, known for his pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability. He is one of the most expensive transfers in football history.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Neymar (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, born February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil, rose to fame as one of the world's top football talents thanks to his exceptional dribbling, technical skills, and goal-scoring ability. He started his professional journey with Santos in 2009, quickly making a name for himself in Brazilian football.
At Santos, Neymar's rise matched the club's most successful era in years. He played a key role in their 2011 Copa Libertadores win, scoring in the final and helping them clinch their first continental title since the days of Pelé. His performances earned him the South American Footballer of the Year award in both 2011 and 2012, marking him as the continent's standout young talent.
In 2013, Neymar joined Barcelona, where he became part of the legendary MSN trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. This trio was incredibly effective, and Neymar played a major part in Barcelona's treble success in the 2014-15 season, finishing as the top scorer in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey. He continued to shine the next season, helping Barcelona secure another domestic double and solidifying his place among football's best.
In 2017, Neymar’s career took a big turn when Paris Saint-Germain paid his €222 million release clause, making him the most expensive player ever. At PSG, he was key to the club's domestic success, winning several Ligue 1 titles and playing a major role in their journey to their first Champions League final in 2020. However, injuries often kept him off the field during important times. In 2023, he surprised many by moving to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, continuing his career in the fast-growing Saudi Pro League.
Before Fame
Growing up in Mogi das Cruzes, Neymar was part of a football-loving family with his father, Neymar Santos Sr., acting as both parent and eventual agent. His family saw his exceptional talent early on and made big sacrifices to support him. When Neymar was four, his family moved to São Vicente so his father could find better opportunities and help Neymar pursue his football dreams.
Neymar's youth career started at local clubs before he joined Santos' academy system. The club, known for developing Brazilian talent, was the perfect place for him to grow. He quickly rose through the youth ranks, and coaches immediately noticed his unique mix of speed, skill, and football intelligence, which would make him one of Brazil's most celebrated exports.
Key Achievements
- Won the Copa Libertadores with Santos in 2011, scoring in the final
- Achieved the treble with Barcelona in 2014-15 as Champions League and Copa del Rey top scorer
- Became the most expensive football transfer in history when joining PSG for €222 million
- Won South American Footballer of the Year awards in consecutive years (2011, 2012)
- Led PSG to their first-ever Champions League final in 2020
Did You Know?
- 01.He became the youngest player to score for Santos in a Copa Libertadores match when he netted against Cerro Porteño in 2010 at age 18
- 02.His transfer to PSG in 2017 nearly doubled the previous world transfer record, which had been set by Paul Pogba's move to Manchester United
- 03.He scored his 100th professional goal before his 21st birthday, achieving the milestone faster than both Pelé and Ronaldinho
- 04.During the 2014 World Cup on home soil, he suffered a fractured vertebra in the quarter-final against Colombia that ruled him out of Brazil's semifinal defeat
- 05.He became the first player in Champions League history to score in seven consecutive matches for PSG during the 2017-18 season
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Samba Gold | 2014 | — |
| South American Footballer of the Year | 2011 | — |
| South American Footballer of the Year | 2012 | — |