Neymar is a Brazilian footballer who has represented his country as well as the French club ‘Paris Saint-Germain.’ He is regarded as one of the best footballers in the world. Neymar, like many other Brazilian footballers, began his career as a street footballer. However, his father, who had previously played professional football, encouraged him to take the game seriously so that he could pursue a career in it. Neymar began his football career at ‘FC Santos’ when he was just 11 years old. In reality, he was admitted into the famed Spanish team ‘Real Madrid”s youth program,’ but he chose to stay in Brazil after being promised a greater salary. Neymar’s skills became the talk of the town during his time at ‘Santos,’ as he scored one amazing goal after another. As a result, the world’s most powerful clubs competed to sign him. He joined ‘Barcelona’ in 2013 and made an immediate impact, eventually winning the treble for the Catalan club in 2015. Neymar went on to play for the Brazilian national team and helped them reach the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup, which was held in Brazil. Without a doubt, Neymar is one of the best footballers in the world, and he is on his way to becoming one of the greatest players of his generation.
Childhood and Adolescence
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior was born in the town of Mogi das Cruzes in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 5, 1992. His father, Neymar Santos Senior, used to be his trainer and was a professional footballer. Nadine da Silva is his mother’s name. Neymar used to play futsal and street football when he was little. He honed his football skills by playing futsal and street football with his pals. In 2003, he joined the ‘Portuguesa Santista’ team’s youth divisions and relocated to the city of Sao Vicente. When Neymar was 11 years old, he joined the legendary Brazilian club ‘FC Santos.’ He moved from strength to strength as a player after joining ‘FC Santos.’ At the age of 17, he signed his first senior contract with ‘FC Santos.’
Career of Neymar
Neymar made his senior team debut for ‘Santos FC’ in 2009. He became a prolific goal scorer for his squad over the next four years, helping them win the ‘Libertadores Cup.’ In 102 appearances for the club, he scored 54 goals in all. He was regularly courted by the best clubs in Europe during his time at the club. At the age of 14, he was welcomed into the ‘Real Madrid’ academy, but he chose to stay with ‘FC Santos’ after the club promised him a higher wage.
Neymar made his international debut in a friendly match later that year, after being ignored by Brazilian football team manager Dunga for the 2010 ‘World Cup’ in South Africa. He scored twice for Brazil in an unsuccessful Copa America effort the following year. A year later, he scored three times in the ‘Olympics,’ earning Brazil a silver medal.
While playing for ‘Santos FC,’ Neymar was being courted by some of the world’s most prestigious clubs. After a battle between the Spanish heavyweights ‘Real Madrid’ and ‘Barcelona,’ Neymar signed for ‘Barcelona’ in 2013 for an 86.2 million Euro ($96.5 million) transfer price. In the same year, Neymar scored four goals in the ‘Confederations Cup,’ helping Brazil to victory against Spain in the final.
Neymar debuted for ‘Barcelona’ during the 2013 season. He amazed everyone during his debut season with the club, scoring goals in crucial games such as the ‘El Clasico’ versus ‘Real Madrid.’ He scored 39 goals in all competitions for ‘Barcelona’ the following season, and the club went on to win the ‘UEFA Champions League’ and ‘Champions League’ treble.
Neymar was Brazil’s main star in the 2014 ‘FIFA World Cup,’ as the team went into the tournament looking for their sixth ‘World Cup’ victory. Neymar scored four goals in the competition before being hurt in the quarterfinals against Columbia. As a result, he was unable to participate in the semi-final against Germany. Brazil was eliminated from the ‘World Cup’ in a humiliating fashion after losing the semi-final match.
Due to health difficulties, he was unable to participate in the ‘UEFA Super Cup’ during the 2015-16 season. He was, nevertheless, nominated for the 2015 ‘FIFA Ballon d’Or,’ and finished third. He aided his club by scoring a goal in the Copa del Rey finals against ‘Sevilla,’ allowing them to win the domestic double for the second time in a row. He was also named captain of his ‘Copa America’ team, but he was suspended after the second game.
Neymar was the highlight of his squad in the 2016-17 season, scoring game-winning goals in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. On April 2, 2017, he also scored his 100th goal for ‘Barcelona.’ His team also won the Copa del Rey final that year. In addition, he was named captain of the Brazilian national team for the ‘Summer Olympics’ in Rio de Janeiro. In the finals, he scored the game-winning goal against Germany, giving the country its first ‘Olympic’ gold medal in men’s football.
During the 2017-18 season, Neymar made his debut for ‘Paris Saint-Germain,’ scoring a goal in his first match against ‘Guingamp.’ Despite an injury to his right foot, he managed to score 28 goals in 30 games this season.
The promising player’s 2018-19 season was not ideal because he was still recovering from his injury. He was a frequent loser in the ‘Champions League,’ and he also lost in the ‘Coupe de France’ finals to ‘Rennes.’ In addition, the Brazilian national team was knocked out of the 2018 ‘World Cup’ after losing in the quarterfinals to Belgium. He was ruled out of the Copa America event in 2019 after injuring his ankle in a friendly match against Qatar.
Achievements & Awards
Neymar was named the ‘World Soccer Young Player of the Year’ in 2011. He also earned the ‘FIFA Puskas Award’ for scoring the best goal of the year in the same year.
In 2013, he was awarded the ‘Golden Ball’ for his performance at the ‘FIFA Federations Cup.’ After the 2014-15 season, he was voted ‘La Liga Best World Player.’
Since his debut as a youth for ‘Santos’ in Brazil, Neymar has been a brilliant talent. But it was his 39 goals in the 2014-15 season, when his club ‘Barcelona’ won the treble, that he is most proud of as a professional. He also scored ten goals in the ‘Champions League,’ finishing as the equal top scorer.
Personal History and Legacy
Neymar’s personal life is shrouded in mystery, but he did conceive a child (a boy) with Carolina Dantas in 2011. He was not in a serious relationship with her, according to reports. Davi Lucca is his son’s name, and he lives with Neymar.
Estimated Net Worth
Neymar has a net worth of $200 million.