Neymar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Neymar

Neymar playing for Brazil in 2026
Personal information
Full name	Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Date of birth	(1992-02-05) 5 February 1992 (age 34)
Place of birth	Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Attacking midfielder, forward
Team information
Current team	Santos
Number	10
Youth career
1999–2003	Portuguesa Santista
2003–2009	Santos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2013	Santos	179	(107)
2013–2017	Barcelona	123	(68)
2017–2023	Paris Saint-Germain	112	(82)
2023–2025	Al-Hilal	3	(0)
2025–	Santos	41	(17)
International career
2009	Brazil U17	3	(1)
2011	Brazil U20	7	(9)
2012–2016	Brazil U23	14	(8)
2010–2026	Brazil	130	(80)
Medal record Men's Football Representing  Brazil FIFA Confederations Cup Winner 2013 Brazil Copa América Runner-up 2021 Brazil Summer Olympics 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team 2012 London Team South American U-20 Championship Winner 2011 Peru
Signature
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior is a famous Brazilian professional footballer. He was born on 5 February 1992. Most fans call him by his single name, Neymar. He plays as an attacking midfielder or a forward. Today, he serves as team captain for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A team Santos. He is world famous for scoring goals and setting up plays. Fans love his quick dribbling, rapid agility, smart passing, and sharp finishing. Many experts view him as one of the best players ever. He holds the record as the all-time top goalscorer for the Brazil national football team. He scored 80 goals in 130 international matches for Brazil. He also provided 59 assists for his national team. Sports statistics group Opta Sports ranked him among Europe's top players for five straight years. He took third place for the famous Ballon d'Or award in 2015 and 2017. He scored more than 100 goals for three different soccer clubs.

Neymar started his professional journey with Santos in 2009. He quickly became a teenage superstar in South America. In 2011, he guided Santos to win the famous Copa Libertadores trophy. Officials picked him as the best player of that big tournament. He moved to Spain in 2013 to join Barcelona. There, he formed a legendary scoring trio named MSN. His strike partners were superstars Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Neymar tied as the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League. He helped Barcelona win three major trophies in 2014–15. By age 23, people considered him one of soccer's three greatest players alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2017, Neymar moved to French giant Paris Saint-Germain. The deal became the most expensive transfer in football history. Even though injuries slowed him down, he won several Ligue 1 titles. He helped lead PSG to their first European final in the 2020 final. In the 2020–21 season, he reached 20 European goals for two different clubs. He ranks as the fourth top scorer in PSG history. In 2023, he joined Saudi team Al-Hilal. In January 2025, he returned home to play for Santos again.

Neymar played 130 times for the Brazil national team. That total stands as the second-highest cap count in Brazilian history. He competed in four FIFA World Cup tournaments between 2014 and 2026. In those World Cups, he scored nine total goals across 15 matches. He won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and received its Golden Ball award. He earned an Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Games. That victory was Brazil's first Olympic gold medal in men's football. He also captured an Olympic silver medal during the 2012 London Games. He helped Brazil reach the 2021 Copa América final and shared the tournament MVP award. Neymar retired from international matches with Brazil in 2026.

He remains one of the most famous athletes on Earth. Magazine SportsPro named him the world's most marketable athlete. Business magazine Forbes placed him on its highest-paid athletes list. In 2017, Time included him in the famous 100 Most Influential People list.

Early Life and Soccer Roots

Neymar was born in the Brazilian city of Mogi das Cruzes, in São Paulo state. His parents are Neymar Santos Sr. and Nadine da Silva. He grew up in a loving home with strong Christian family values. His father was a professional footballer who taught him about the sport. His father soon became his main sports advisor and personal business manager. Neymar always credits his father for guiding his career from the very beginning.

As a young boy, Neymar fell in love with both futsal and street football. Futsal is a fast-paced game played indoors on hard surfaces. Playing in tight spaces helped him build fast reflexes and sharp ball skills. He learned to make lightning-quick decisions before defenders could catch him. As a child, he admired talented players like Robinho, who was his childhood idol. He also studied soccer legends like Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, and English star Wayne Rooney.

In 2003, his family moved to the coastal city of São Vicente. Young Neymar played youth soccer for Portuguesa Santista. Later that year, his family relocated to the port city of Santos. There, Neymar entered the famous youth system of Santos. His rising soccer talent allowed the family to buy their very first house. The home stood right next to Santos' stadium, Vila Belmiro. By age 15, his monthly soccer earnings reached 10,000 reais. At age 16, that salary increased to 125,000 reais every month. When he turned 17, he signed his first official professional contract. He moved into the first-team squad and signed his first commercial deal.

Club Career

Santos FC: Rise of a Wonderkid

Youth Development in Brazil

Neymar developed his amazing skills inside the prestigious Santos youth academy. This youth system previously produced famous Brazilian stars such as Coutinho and Clodoaldo. Other alumni included midfielders Diego and Elano, alongside defender Alex. Great Santos legends like Pepe, superstar Pelé, and dribbler Robinho started their careers here. The club earned the popular marine nickname Peixe, meaning the fish. While learning his craft, Neymar became best friends with fellow midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso. When he was 14, Neymar flew to Spain for training tryouts with Real Madrid. His father decided that returning to Santos was best for his growth.

2009–2011: Copa Libertadores Champion

Neymar and Lionel Messi greeting each other after the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final

South American soccer expert Tim Vickery praised the young attacker in 2010. He noted that the teenager had amazing tricks, great balance, and incredible speed. Neymar made his official first-team debut on 7 March 2009. He was just 17 years old when he played against Oeste. In April, he scored a huge goal against Palmeiras in the state semi-finals. Santos finished as runners-up to Corinthians in that final. During the 2010 campaign, Neymar exploded onto the soccer scene. He scored 42 goals in 60 games across all competitions. Santos captured their first Copa do Brasil trophy that season. Neymar led the entire tournament scoring table with 11 goals. Many fans and reporters began calling him the 'new Pelé'.

English clubs Chelsea and West Ham United offered huge transfer fees to sign him. Santos rejected the bids so their young star could continue learning at home. Neymar decided that staying in Brazil was the best move for his career.

Neymar scored key goals throughout the 2011 season for Santos. He helped his team win consecutive state titles by scoring against Corinthians. His biggest achievement came during the famous 2011 Copa Libertadores finals. He scored six goals in the tournament, including the final's opening strike against Peñarol. Santos won 2–1, earning their first Copa Libertadores crown since Pelé's era. Judges named him the best player of the competition. On 27 July 2011, he scored an unbelievable solo dribble against Flamengo. That amazing effort won the global FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year. Soon after, he signed a contract extension keeping him in Brazil until 2014.

In December 2011, Santos played in Japan at the FIFA Club World Cup. Neymar scored from 20 meters against Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol in the semi-final. In the final, Santos faced Spanish giant Barcelona. Barcelona proved too strong and won the match 4–0. Neymar took home the Bronze Ball behind Messi and Xavi. On New Year's Eve, he earned the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year prize. A survey by UOL showed that 89% of Brazilian league players considered him the nation's best.

2012–2013: Stardom and European Interest

Neymar in 2012, when he won the South American Footballer of the Year award.

The 2012 season became one of Neymar's most productive years. At just 19, he finished 10th in voting for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or. On his 20th birthday, he scored his 100th career goal against Palmeiras. He scored two goals against Ponte Preta in the 2012 Campeonato Paulista. In the Copa Libertadores, he scored a brilliant hat-trick against Internacional. He followed that performance with another hat-trick against rivals São Paulo.

Santos dominated the state championship finals against Guarani. Neymar scored twice in the first match and twice in the second leg. Santos won the championship by an aggregate score of 7–2. Neymar won the award for Best Forward after scoring 20 goals. He also finished as joint top scorer in the continental Copa Libertadores. Later that year, Santos captured the 2012 Recopa Sudamericana trophy.

In league play, he scored twice against Palmeiras on 25 August. In November, he scored three goals against Cruzeiro while assisting Felipe Anderson. On 1 December, he set up a goal for Victor Andrade before scoring twice. He finished 2012 with 43 goals in just 47 games. He won the 2012 South American Footballer of the Year award again. Soccer legend Diego Maradona praised his skills alongside Messi.

Neymar kicked off 2013 by scoring two goals against São Bernardo. In February, he scored and gave two assists against São Paulo. He appeared on the cover of Time magazine as 'The Next Pelé'. On 13 April, he scored four goals against União Barbarense in the Paulista tournament. Soon after, his management announced he would move to Europe. Neymar played his final Santos match against Flamengo in the 2013 Brazilian Championship. He cried tears of joy and gratitude during the national anthem before kickoff.

FC Barcelona: The MSN Era and European Glory

Moving to Spain

Neymar presented to fans at Barcelona's stadium in June 2013

In May 2013, Santos received two major transfer bids for Neymar. The young star chose to sign a five-year contract with Barcelona. Barcelona unveiled him at their famous stadium, the Camp Nou, on 3 June 2013. A huge crowd of 56,500 fans arrived to welcome him. Club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu welcomed the Brazilian forward to Spanish soccer. European club doctors encouraged Neymar to build physical strength to handle tough league defenders. Government officials in Madrid later reviewed transfer papers between the clubs. Barcelona club president Sandro Rosell stepped down from his role during those discussions.

2013–2014: First Year in European Football

Neymar playing in a La Liga match against Almería

Neymar made his official club debut in the 2013–14 La Liga opener. He came on as a substitute for forward Alexis Sánchez against Levante. On 21 August, he scored a header in the 2013 Supercopa de España against Atlético Madrid. That away goal helped Barcelona secure the trophy.

In September, he made his UEFA Champions League debut and registered an assist for defender Gerard Piqué against Dutch club Ajax. He scored his first Spanish league goal against Real Sociedad. In his first El Clásico match against Real Madrid, he scored and assisted in a 2–1 victory. He scored an impressive hat-trick against Scottish side Celtic in European play. A few days later, he scored two goals against Villarreal.

Despite his success, adjusting to European soccer brought nervous moments. Neymar later shared that he felt butterflies in his stomach during his first months. In March 2014, he scored two goals against Celta Vigo. He scored an important quarter-final goal against Atlético Madrid in European competition. He also started in the 2014 Copa del Rey final against rivals Real Madrid. He finished his first European season with 15 goals across 41 games.

2014–2015: Treble Season with Messi and Suárez

Neymar playing for Barcelona in February 2015

The 2014–15 campaign saw the birth of the famous MSN front line. Neymar played on the left wing alongside Lionel Messi and Uruguayan forward Luis Suárez. The three players shared incredible passing chemistry and formed a legendary attacking trio. Neymar scored both team goals in a 2–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. Later that month, he scored three goals against Granada. In January, he contributed two goals in a 6–0 win over Elche.

He delivered brilliant performances throughout the Copa del Rey tournament. He scored in the round of 16, the quarter-finals, and the semi-finals. Barcelona captured the league title before facing Athletic Bilbao in the 2015 Copa del Rey final. Neymar scored in the final, finishing as the competition's joint-top goalscorer with 7 goals.

In the Champions League, Neymar scored against Paris Saint-Germain and German giant Bayern Munich. Barcelona reached the championship final in Berlin at the Olympiastadion. Neymar scored the final goal in a 3–1 win over Italian champions Juventus. That victory sealed a famous continental treble for Barcelona. Neymar became one of the rare players to win both the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League. He tied Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi as the top European scorer with 10 goals. Brazilian legend Kaká was the last player before them to lead tournament scoring. The MSN trio scored a historic record of 122 goals that season. Magazine France Football ranked Neymar as the best young player in the world.

2015–2017: Domestic Double and European Comeback

Neymar celebrating during the famous European comeback win against PSG

Neymar started the 2015–16 season in sensational goal-scoring form. When Messi missed two months with a knee injury, Neymar carried the offense. He scored 13 goals and made nine assists in just eight games. He scored four goals against Rayo Vallecano and two against BATE Borisov. Against Villarreal, he scored a famous volley after flicking the ball over a defender. Manager Marcelino praised him as Spain's most dangerous attacker. He earned the La Liga Player of the Month prize for November. In December, he set up two goals against River Plate in the Club World Cup final.

His great form earned him third place in the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or vote. Sports papers L'Équipe and Sky Sports ranked him the second-best player of 2015. In early 2016, he scored against Athletic Bilbao in cup play and scored twice against Getafe. Barcelona won the league title on the final day, finishing one point above Real Madrid. Neymar was involved in 40 league goals and won several penalty kicks. British newspaper The Guardian named him to their league Team of the Season. He scored in the 2016 Copa del Rey final against Sevilla to complete a domestic double. The MSN trio broke their own record by scoring 131 total goals. In July 2016, he signed a contract extension keeping him in Barcelona until 2021.

During the 2016–17 Champions League, he scored once and provided four assists against Celtic. In the league, he scored two goals against Sporting Gijón. In January 2017, he scored a winning penalty kick against Real Sociedad in cup play. Tough defensive fouls slowed his scoring pace in February, leading reporters at ESPN and Mundo Deportivo to review his form.

On 8 March 2017, Neymar produced a soccer masterpiece against Paris Saint-Germain. Barcelona had lost the first match 4–0 and needed a miracle to advance. In the famous 6–1 comeback victory, Neymar scored two goals and provided the winning assist in stoppage time. Opposing midfielder Marco Verratti praised Neymar's talent, comparing him to the greatest in the world. He scored three goals against Las Palmas and scored in the Copa del Rey final against Alavés. He joined soccer legend Ferenc Puskás as a player scoring in three straight cup finals. Soccer writer Guillem Balagué praised his creative passing growth. Data analysts at WhoScored ranked him as Europe's top player that year. By summer 2017, he decided to look for a fresh soccer challenge. In total, he scored 105 goals and delivered 76 assists during his Barcelona career. Magazine Sports Illustrated praised his incredible skill level and creativity.

Paris Saint-Germain: French Championships and Records

World Record Transfer

Neymar holding his Paris Saint-Germain jersey with team president Nasser Al-Khelaifi

On 3 August 2017, Neymar moved to French club Paris Saint-Germain. His legal team paid his contract buyout fee of 222 million euros directly to Barcelona. This fee made the move the most expensive transfer in sports history. Fans and newspapers worldwide called the massive deal the signing of the century. Neymar signed a contract through 2022, placing him among the best-paid athletes in sports history. PSG hoped the Brazilian star would guide the club to European championship glory. He joined Brazilian national team friends like Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura, and defender David Luiz. Midfielder Javier Pastore gave Neymar the team's number 10 jersey. The iconic Eiffel Tower lit up with red and blue lights to welcome him to Paris. Leaving Barcelona was a big life decision, but Neymar felt ready for a new role.

2017–2019: Trophies, Records, and Foot Injuries

Neymar warming up for a French league match

Neymar debuted for PSG on 13 August 2017 with a goal and an assist against Guingamp. Opposing defender Lucas Deaux expressed amazement at Neymar's unbelievable ball skills. He scored twice in a 6–2 victory over Toulouse and added two more against Bordeaux. In October, he played his first Le Classique rivalry match against Marseille. In December, he scored twice and created two assists against Rennes.

In the European group stage, Neymar scored six goals against Celtic, Bayern Munich, and Anderlecht. PSG set a scoring record by scoring 25 group-stage goals. The attacking trio of Neymar, Edinson Cavani, and young star Kylian Mbappé became unstoppable. Researchers at the CIES Football Observatory listed Neymar among Europe's top performers. He also earned a spot in the global FIFA FIFPRO World 11.

In January 2018, Neymar scored four goals and made two assists against Dijon. French sports newspaper L'Équipe awarded him a perfect 10 rating for that performance. In February, he delivered an assist against Real Madrid in the Champions League. His season was cut short when he broke a metatarsal bone in his right foot against Marseille. He finished the season with 28 goals in 30 games. PSG won a domestic treble, capturing the league, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue. Officials named him the Ligue 1 Player of the Year. Sports writers selected him for the ESM Team of the Year.

Neymar opened the 2018–19 season with a goal against Caen. He added two goals against Nice and scored the winning goal against Lille. That win was PSG's 12th consecutive league victory to start a season. In Europe, Neymar helped PSG win a tough group featuring English champions Liverpool, Italian side Napoli, and Red Star Belgrade. He scored a hat-trick against Red Star Belgrade and scored against Liverpool. Those goals took him past Kaká as Brazil's top scorer in Champions League history. Website Goal included him in their European group-stage team. In January 2019, he scored twice in a 9–0 win over Guingamp. He suffered another foot injury against Strasbourg, missing European matches against Manchester United. He returned to play in the 2019 Coupe de France final against Rennes. PSG won another Ligue 1 title, and Neymar scored 23 goals that year.

2019–2021: European Final and Domestic Success

Neymar taking a penalty kick against Lille

In September 2019, Neymar returned to league play with an acrobatic bicycle kick winner against Strasbourg. He scored another late winner against Lyon nine days later. He continued scoring key goals against Bordeaux, Montpellier, Saint-Étienne, and Lille. He matched a French league record held by Gunnar Andersson by scoring 47 goals in his first 50 games. He scored against Lyon in the cup semi-final and scored the only goal in the 2020 final. Sports newspaper L'Équipe named him the Best Player in France for that campaign.

In European competition, Neymar led PSG past Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, and RB Leipzig. PSG reached their first European Cup final against German champions Bayern Munich. Manager Arsène Wenger called Neymar the best player in the game during that tournament run. Bayern Munich won the final 1–0, leaving Neymar heartbroken at the final whistle. He earned a place in the UEFA Team of the Year for his great European season. He finished second in fan voting for The Best FIFA Men's Player award behind Robert Lewandowski.

In October 2020, Neymar entered the club's all-time scoring charts after scoring twice against Angers. In November, he reached 50 French league goals in just 58 games. He scored twice against Manchester United at Old Trafford and scored a hat-trick against İstanbul Başakşehir. Those goals made him the first player ever to score 20 European Cup goals for two different teams. In January 2021, he scored against Marseille to lift the Trophée des Champions. In April, he helped PSG defeat Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals before falling to Manchester City. He scored against Lens and Reims as PSG finished second in the league. PSG captured the Coupe de France, giving Neymar another trophy. In May 2021, he signed a contract extension keeping him in Paris until 2025.

2021–2023: Century of Goals and Final Paris Days

Neymar with teammates Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé in 2021

In summer 2021, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Spanish defender Sergio Ramos joined PSG. Fans called the exciting front line of Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi the MNM trio. Neymar scored his 400th career goal during a league win against Bordeaux. He added two goals against Lorient and scored three against Clermont. On 21 May 2022, he scored his 100th PSG goal against Metz. This made him one of the few players to score 100 goals for three clubs. PSG won their tenth French league championship that season.

He started the 2022–23 season in amazing form. He scored two goals against Nantes in the French Super Cup. He scored against Clermont, Montpellier, and Lille, earning the Player of the Month award. In September, he passed Portuguese striker Pauleta to become PSG's fourth-highest scorer with 110 goals. He scored against rivals Marseille and added a goal against Troyes. Soccer commentators Jamie Redknapp and Gary Neville praised him as soccer's most dangerous attacking talent.

In February 2023, he suffered a serious ankle injury against Lille and missed the rest of the season. PSG secured another French league championship in May. During the summer, the club decided to rebuild its roster with younger players. In total, Neymar provided 188 combined goals and assists for the Parisian club. Team captain Marquinhos thanked Neymar for his great contributions after PSG won the European title in 2025.

Al-Hilal: Journey to Saudi Arabia

Neymar celebrating a goal for Al Hilal in October 2023

On 15 August 2023, Neymar signed a two-year contract with Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Hilal. Other famous stars like Rúben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinković-Savić joined the team that summer. The transfer fee was 90 million euros, setting a new league record. Neymar joined other global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia. Brazilian star Rivellino had made a similar move to the same club back in 1978.

Neymar made his league debut on 15 September 2023, coming on as a substitute against Al-Riyadh. He provided an assist for teammate Malcom in a 6–1 win. On 3 October, he scored his first goal against Iranian club Nassaji Mazandaran in the Asian Champions League. Later that month, he injured his knee while playing for Brazil, ending his season. Al-Hilal captured the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League title, giving Neymar his eighth league championship. He returned to action in October 2024 against Al Ain before suffering a hamstring strain. Coach Jorge Jesus agreed that ending the contract early was the best choice for both sides. Neymar thanked the club and supporters when he departed in January 2025.

Return to Santos FC

2025: Homecoming and Match-Winning Form

Neymar playing for Santos in late 2025

On 30 January 2025, Neymar announced on social media that he was returning home to Santos. Fans celebrated his arrival, and he took the historic number 10 jersey once worn by Pelé. He made his second debut on 6 February against Botafogo-SP. News agency Reuters reported that the stadium was filled with cheering fans and emotional celebrations. He won the Man of the Match award in his very first game back.

Ten days later, he scored a penalty kick against Água Santa and assisted teammate Guilherme. On 23 February, he scored directly from an in-swinging corner kick against Inter de Limeira. That incredible strike won the Goal of the Year award for the 2025 Campeonato Paulista. In April, he made his 100th appearance at the Vila Belmiro stadium against Atlético Mineiro.

He returned from a minor injury in May for a 2025 Copa do Brasil match against CRB in Maceió. In June, he played as a false nine against Botafogo. Later that month, club president Marcelo Teixeira confirmed a contract renewal through the end of the year. Teixeira noted that his return brought huge commercial gains and massive social media growth. In July, he scored the winning goal against Flamengo. In August, he scored two goals against Juventude. Head coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda called Neymar one of the greatest players in soccer history. On 3 December 2025, he scored a hat-trick against Juventude to reach 150 goals for Santos.

2026 Season

In January 2026, Neymar signed a contract extension to stay with Santos for the entire year. He scored two goals against Vasco da Gama in a 2–1 victory. In July, he scored twice against Chapecoense, including a late penalty kick. In the 2026 Copa do Brasil, he assisted the winning goal against Remo. In the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, he delivered two assists against Ecuadorian team Macará. He continued providing leadership and goals for his boyhood club throughout the season.

Brazil National Team Career

2010–2012: International Debut and Olympic Silver

Neymar at a national team press conference in 2010

Following Neymar's great start to 2010, Brazilian legends Pelé and Romário asked manager Dunga to pick him for the World Cup. Even though 14,000 fans signed a petition, Dunga left the young teenager off the squad. New manager Mano Menezes called him up in July 2010 for a friendly against the United States. Neymar started the match in East Rutherford, New Jersey, wearing the number 11 jersey. He scored on his debut after 28 minutes by heading in a cross from André Santos. Neymar told reporters that representing his country was a great privilege.

In March 2011, he scored twice against the Scotland national team at the Emirates Stadium in London. He led the 2011 South American Youth Championship with nine goals, including two in the final against Uruguay. At the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, he scored two goals against the Ecuador national team. He earned the Man of the Match prize in a draw against the Venezuela national team. Brazil was eliminated in a penalty shoot-out by the Paraguay national team.

In 2012, Neymar joined the Brazil Olympic football team for the London 2012 Olympic Games. In a warm-up game against Great Britain at Riverside Stadium, he set up Sandro and scored a penalty. He scored in the tournament opener against the Egypt Olympic team. Against the Belarus Olympic team at Old Trafford, he scored a free-kick and set up Alexandre Pato and Oscar. He added a goal and an assist against the Honduras Olympic team at St James' Park. Brazil won the silver medal after losing the final to the Mexico Olympic team at Wembley Stadium. Later that year, he scored an international hat-trick against the China national team in Recife.

2013–2014: Confederations Cup Glory and Home World Cup

Neymar battling for the ball during the 2013 Confederations Cup final

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari selected Neymar for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. Neymar took over the famous number 10 shirt for the tournament. He scored an amazing opening goal against the Japan national team at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha. In the second game, he scored against the Mexico national team and set up striker Jô. He scored a direct free-kick against the Italy national team to collect another top-player award. In the final, he assisted forward Fred and scored a brilliant goal against the Spain national team. Brazil won 3–0, and Neymar received the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.

In March 2014, he scored three goals against the South Africa national team in Johannesburg. After the game, a young boy ran onto the field, and Neymar celebrated with him.

At the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Neymar carried the hopes of the entire host nation. He earned his 50th international cap against the Croatia national team in São Paulo. In that game, he received a yellow card before scoring twice to lead a 3–1 victory. He scored twice more against the Cameroon national team to send Brazil into the knockout rounds. In the round of 16 against the Chile national team, he scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out.

In the quarter-final against the Colombia national team, Neymar set up Thiago Silva's goal from a corner kick. Late in the game, defender Juan Camilo Zúñiga collided with him from behind. Neymar suffered a painful fractured vertebra in his back and had to miss the rest of the tournament. Without their talisman, Brazil lost 7–1 to eventual world champions Germany in the semi-finals. Neymar earned the Bronze Boot as the third top scorer and made the official tournament Dream Team.

2015–2018: Rio Olympic Gold and Russian World Cup

Neymar striking the historic winning penalty for Brazil at the 2016 Rio Olympics

In autumn 2014, coach Dunga named Neymar the permanent team captain of the senior national squad. In October, Neymar scored four goals in a friendly against Japan in Singapore. At age 22, he became the fifth-highest scorer in Brazilian history. In March 2015, he scored against the France national team in Paris. At the 2015 Copa América, he scored and assisted Douglas Costa against the Peru national team. Following a match against Colombia, tournament leaders CONMEBOL gave him a suspension that ended his tournament.

In summer 2016, Neymar captained Brazil's Olympic squad under manager Rogério Micale in Rio de Janeiro. In the quarter-finals, he scored a direct free kick against Colombia in a 2–0 win. In the semi-finals, he scored twice as Brazil defeated Honduras 6–0. In the final at the Maracanã Stadium, Neymar scored a wonderful free-kick against Germany. The match finished tied 1–1, leading to a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Neymar stepped up and buried the winning penalty kick to win Brazil's first soccer gold medal. The Brazilian Olympic Committee named him the best athlete of the tournament. Later that year, he scored his 50th senior goal against Argentina in World Cup qualifying.

Neymar worked hard to recover from a foot injury before the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Manager Tite named him to the 23-man tournament squad. He returned to play against Croatia in a friendly match at Anfield, scoring a fine goal. He scored his 55th international goal against the Austria national team, matching Romário's scoring record.

At the World Cup, he was fouled 10 times against the Switzerland national team. That was the most fouls on a player at the tournament since Alan Shearer played the Tunisia national team in 1998. He scored against the Costa Rica national team at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg. In the round of 16, he scored and assisted Roberto Firmino against Mexico. News team BBC Sport and paper O Globo discussed his great skills and emotional play during the tournament. Brazil's tournament run ended in the quarter-finals against the Belgium national team.

2019–2023: Becoming Brazil's All-Time Scoring King

Neymar in action during the 2022 World Cup against Serbia

Neymar missed the 2019 Copa América with an ankle injury suffered in a friendly against the Qatar national team. In October 2019, he made his 100th international appearance against the Senegal national team. In October 2020, he scored three goals against Peru to pass Ronaldo Nazário in all-time national goals. He was inducted into the famous Maracanã Stadium Hall of Fame.

During the 2021 Copa América, Neymar scored against Venezuela and assisted striker Gabriel Barbosa. He scored another goal against Peru and set up midfielder Casemiro against Colombia. In the knockout matches, he assisted midfielder Lucas Paquetá against Chile and Peru. Argentina defeated Brazil 1–0 in the final, but Neymar shared the Golden Ball award with Messi. In September 2021, he became Brazil's top scorer in World Cup qualifying games.

At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Neymar assisted a goal against the Serbia national team before hurting his ankle. He returned to score a penalty against the South Korea national team in the round of 16. In the quarter-finals against Croatia, he scored a brilliant goal in extra time after two one-two passes. Writer Michael Cox praised the strike as a legendary individual soccer effort. That goal was his 77th international strike, tying Pelé's official scoring record for Brazil. Pelé congratulated Neymar from his hospital bed, encouraging him to keep inspiring young fans. Brazil lost the match in a penalty shootout.

On 8 September 2023, Neymar scored two goals against the Bolivia national team. Those goals took his international tally to 79, making him Brazil's all-time top scorer. Coach Fernando Diniz praised him as one of the finest soccer talents in world history. He tied American legend Landon Donovan with 58 career international assists by setting up defender Gabriel.

2023–2026: Final World Cup and Retirement

In October 2023, Neymar suffered a severe knee injury playing against the Uruguay national team. He worked through surgery and long rehabilitation to regain his fitness. In May 2026, he was chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad. He made his tournament return on 24 June against Scotland, winning 3–0. He joined legends like Pelé, Djalma Santos, and Cafu by playing in four World Cup tournaments. On 5 July 2026, he scored a penalty against the Norway national team. That goal was his 80th goal for Brazil. After the tournament, Neymar officially retired from the Brazilian national team at MetLife Stadium.

Player Profile and Football Style

Skills and Positioning on the Pitch

Neymar showing off his ball control in an exhibition match

Neymar played most of his career as an attacking midfielder or a left winger. He can score goals easily and act as an inventive playmaker. Over his career, he scored more than 450 total goals and delivered over 250 assists. In a 4–3–3 formation, playing on the left allowed him to cut inside and shoot with his right foot. His greatest skills include his vision, acceleration, quick feet, smart passing, and amazing dribbling moves. He loves using clever feints and the exciting rainbow flick to get past defenders. He can shoot with both feet and is dangerous on direct free kicks and penalty kicks.

At Santos, fans loved his speed, energy, and fun tricks on the ball. In Barcelona, he became a team player with sharp passing and fast combinations. At Paris Saint-Germain, he became a complete number 10 who could control the tempo of the match. Writers for sports websites Goal and Forbes praised his unique vision and ability to create chances out of nothing. Because of his amazing dribbling skills, opposing defenders often fouled him to stop his attacks.

Sportsmanship and Media Attention

Soccer experts have debated Neymar's playing style throughout his long career. Because defenders tackled him so often, he sometimes fell down dramatically to protect himself from injuries. Pelé once pointed out that while Neymar drew many fouls, he did not need to exaggerate every fall. During the 2018 World Cup, fans created online videos poking fun at his dramatic rolls on the grass. Former player Eric Cantona joked about his theatrical reactions when getting kicked. Neymar made a commercial explaining that he felt frustrated when opponents fouled him constantly.

Fans and journalists wondered if he would ever win the Ballon d'Or award. He received nine nominations for the award and finished in the top ten six different times. Soccer figures like goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, teammate Thomas Meunier, and defender Axel Tuanzebe said he deserved one during his career. Neymar stated that injuries made his journey harder, but he remained proud of winning every major trophy.

Personal Life and Community Work

Neymar showing his Christian faith after winning the Olympic gold medal

Neymar has a close relationship with his sister Rafaella Beckran. The two siblings have matching tattoos honoring their close friendship. Neymar has one son and three daughters, and his family continues to grow.

He practices the Christian faith and was baptised in 2008 at Peniel Baptist Church in Santos. He talks openly about how his faith helps him through difficult injuries and challenging times. After winning the Olympics, he wore a headband with the words "100% Jesus" during the medal celebrations. He gives money to his church community and looks up to Brazilian legend Kaká as a role model.

Every year, Neymar helps organize a friendly charity soccer match with fellow player Nenê. They host the match in the city of Jundiaí to gather food and clothes for families in need. Along with his native Portuguese, Neymar speaks fluent Spanish. In sports politics, Neymar supported Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro during the national elections.

Business and Media Career

Brand Sponsorships and Clothing Deals

Neymar signed major commercial deals starting when he was just 17 years old. In 2011, he signed with Nike and later made a huge switch to German brand Puma. He began wearing famous Puma King soccer cleats, following in the footsteps of legends like Pelé and Johan Cruyff. Business reports showed his Puma boot deal was worth around 25 million euros per year. Over his career, he partnered with companies like Panasonic, Volkswagen, Ambev, Claro, and Santander. Business magazine Forbes regularly ranked him among the world's richest athletes. In 2016, he became the first soccer player to collaborate on custom boots with basketball brand Air Jordan.

Video Games, Music, and Entertainment

Neymar at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey in 2011

Neymar appeared on the covers of video games like Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2013. He starred on the covers of EA Sports' FIFA 18 and FIFA 19. His character even appeared as a playable operative in the action game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. In 2013, Brazilian artist Mauricio de Sousa created a kid-friendly comic book series starring a young character named Neymar Jr.

He loves Brazilian music, especially the upbeat country style called Música sertaneja. A fun video of him dancing to singer Michel Teló's hit song "Ai se eu te pego!" became an online hit. He often did the song's dance routine on the field after scoring goals. He appeared in music videos with artists like Gusttavo Lima and MC Guimê. He also appeared in documentaries, television shows, and the 2022 Netflix docuseries titled Neymar: The Perfect Chaos.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

International Record by Year

Major Trophies and Honours

Club Achievements

• Santos
  • Copa do Brasil: 2010
  • Copa Libertadores: 2011
  • Recopa Sudamericana: 2012
  • Campeonato Paulista: 2010, 2011, 2012
• FC Barcelona
  • La Liga: 2014–15, 2015–16
  • Copa del Rey: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17
  • Supercopa de España: 2013
  • UEFA Champions League: 2014–15
  • FIFA Club World Cup: 2015
• Paris Saint-Germain
  • Ligue 1: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23
  • Coupe de France: 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21
  • Coupe de la Ligue: 2017–18, 2019–20
  • Trophée des Champions: 2018, 2020, 2022
• Al-Hilal
  • Saudi Pro League: 2023–24

Brazil National Team Honors

• Brazil Under-20
  • South American U-20 Championship: 2011
• Brazil Olympic Team
  • Olympic Games Gold Medal: Rio de Janeiro 2016
  • Olympic Games Silver Medal: London 2012
• Brazil Senior Team
  • FIFA Confederations Cup: 2013

Selected Individual Awards

• FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year: 2011
• South American Footballer of the Year: 2011, 2012
• Copa Libertadores Best Player: 2011
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball: 2013
• FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot: 2014
• UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2014–15
• Samba de Ouro Best Brazilian Player in Europe: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022
• FIFA FIFPRO World 11: 2015, 2017
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2015, 2020
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year: 2017–18
• Copa América Golden Ball: 2021

Images for kids

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  Neymar's signed soccer boots from the 2013 season

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  Neymar training with the Brazil Olympic squad in 2016

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  Neymar preparing for a Champions League match in 2018

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  Neymar speaking at a press conference in Paris

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  Neymar warming up during pre-season play in 2019

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  Neymar celebrating a goal with Kylian Mbappé in 2022

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  Neymar during a French Cup match in January 2023

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  Neymar with teammate Lucas Moura while playing for Brazil

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  Neymar celebrating a goal for Brazil with teammates in London

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  Neymar serving as Brazil team captain in 2015

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  Neymar lining up a free kick against Croatia at the 2014 World Cup

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  Neymar dribbling past defenders at the 2014 World Cup

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  A mural honoring Neymar in Russia during the 2018 World Cup

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  Neymar during the Brazilian national anthem at the 2018 World Cup

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  Neymar at the 2026 World Cup

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  Neymar's number 10 Paris Saint-Germain away shirt

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  Neymar with Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro

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  Neymar's 2014 World Cup jersey shown in a sports museum

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  Neymar holding the Golden Ball trophy at the 2013 Confederations Cup

See also

In Spanish: Neymar para niños

• List of top international men's football goalscorers by country
• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
• List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
• List of most expensive association football transfers