31 Inspiring Facts About Neymar Every Fan Should Know

Neymar’s extraordinary career is not an overnight success, but of a footballing prodigy with limitless potential, who has just started out, and his special future seems to be developing every single season. There is no doubt that he would be the next big thing in the football world, when the Messi-Ronaldo era comes to an end. Here are some really fascinating things to know about the Brazilian football genius, who has accomplished so much already.

1. Popularly known by his nickname ‘Juninho,’ plays for French club Paris Saint-Germain and Brazilian National team, is considered as one of the world’s leading footballer with over 305 goals in 483 appearances for the club apart from 61 goals for his country in 101 games.
2. He was born Neymar da Silva Santos Junior on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, to Neymar Santos Sr. and Nadine da Silva. He has a younger sister, Rafaella Santos, a model by profession.
3. Neymar began playing football as a boy in Sao Vicente, greatly influenced by his father, a former professional footballer. He honed his skill playing futsal and street football and at just 11 years of age, he was spotted by Santos and signed a youth contract in 2003.
4. At the age of 14, he travelled to Spain, to join the Real Madrid youth team, but returned home later to make his professional debut for Santos FC, at 17 years of age on March 7, 2009,and scored 14 goals in 48 games that season.
5. He was impressive in 2010 season scoring 42 goals in 60 games and continued his run in 2011, when he guided Santos to their first ‘Copa Libertadores,’ title since 1963.
6. He was selected for the first time to represent in national colors at the Under-17 World Cup, in 2009, where Neymar scored a goal. Though Brazil disappointed many, Neymar, impressed many former Brazilian players.
7. Around 14,000 fans requested and signed a petitioned demanding the then Brazilian team manager, Dunga, to selected him for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but he wasn’t picked.
8. On August 10, 2010, he made his debut for the senior team in a friendly match against United States, and scored a goal in 2-0 win. He later said ‘Being on the Brazilian team is a privilege, there are some marvelous players and I’m very happy to be among them.’
9. He won the 2011 FIFA Puskas Award for scoring a most beautiful goal of the calendar year against Flamingo and was voted the ‘2011 South American Footballer of the Year,’ by a record margin of 60 points.
10. He became a father at the age of 19, when his former girlfriend, Carolina Dantas, gave birth to their son, David Lucca.
11. His lifelong group of friends are called ‘Toiss,’ and his fans are called ‘Neymarzetes.’
12. In a friendly match against Scotland, on March 27, 2011, he took offense when a banana was thrown on to the field after he scored from the penalty spot. He accused Scottish fans of exhibiting racism with constant jeering, while it was explained that he was booed for his perceived injury feigning.
13. Santos was crowned the champions of ‘2012 Campeonato Paulista,’ with Neymar contributing 20 goals to be voted the Best Player and Best Forward of the championship. He also ended up being voted Best Player at the 2012 Recopa Sudamericana and Best Forward of 2012 Campeonato BrasileiroSerie A, with Golden Ball.
14. Once in 2010, Neymar and his friend Andres decided to give themselves new haircut on something akin to a Mohawk, and his haircut quickly became a national phenomenon.
15. The famous Brazilian cartoonist, Mauricio de Sousa, released a ‘Monica’s Gang,’ comic book featuring a younger version of Neymar as the main character called ‘Neymar Jr.’
16. On June 3, 2013, Neymar’s move to Barcelona FC, was made official when he was handed out his jersey. He signed a five-year contract of which neither the transfer fee nor the personal terms were clear. However, on investigation, it was revealed that the transfer fee cost the club€86.2 million.
17. In 2010, he insulted his Brazilian club Santos’ coach, Dorival Junior, for preferring another player to take a penalty kick, resulting in a one match ban. He was also involved in mass brawl when he fought with an opposite team player, Joao Marcos, during a league game, forcing police interruption.
18. On August 18, 2013, he made his competitive debut for Barcelona against Levante, and on 21st he scored his first goal for the club against Atletico Madrid. He ended the season scoring 15 goals in 41 appearances.
19. In the 2015 Copa del Rey finals, on May 30, 2015, after scoring the second goal of the game, Neymar, performed tricks with the ball in the final stages. He was criticized for his showboating which according to Spanish football etiquette was unsportsmanlike.
20. Along with Messi and Suarez, Neymar formed a deadly combination, dubbed ‘MSN,’ for Barcelona, netting 122 goals and making Spanish history for single season. He ended the 2014-15 season with 39 goals in 51 games making him the joint highest scorer. They rewrote the record with 131 goals in very next season.
21. After being with Barcelona FC, for four seasons, scoring 105 goals in 186 appearances, with seven major trophies, Neymar, mover over to the French club, Paris Saint-Germain, for the most expensive transfer of €222 million, on a five years’ deal.
22. On August 27, 2017, Barcelona FC, filed a lawsuit against Neymar, for not completing his contract period. He was asked to pay €8.5 million renewal bonus he received, plus an additional 10% for delayed payment.
23. On February 25, 2018, he fractured his fifth metatarsal bone during the match against Olympique de Marseille and thereafter underwent successful operation. He was out of action for rest of the season finishing with 28 goals in 30 matches.
24. His talent was never in doubt but his attitude was in question. In 2012, the Brazilian sports magazine, ‘The Placar,’ published a photo of Neymar being crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ, as a metaphor to criticize him for supposedly diving too often.
25. Following the loss to Manchester United in the Champions League in round of 16 game, Neymar took to Instagram insulting video review officials for awarding a stoppage time penalty to United, for handball that eliminated PSG. The UEFA banned him for three matches of next season.
26. He was once again in center of controversy when he was caught on camera appearing to punch a spectator goading him and other Paris Saint-Germain players with provocative language, after the club’s defeat to Rennes in the French Cup finals on April 27, 2019.
27. Neymar shed a heart-warming gesture, when he intervened a security staff from stopping a small boy, who intruded on to the field after the Brazil and South Africa friendly match during 2014 World Cup. He embraced the jubilant boy and lifted him in the air during the celebration.
28. He led Brazil to Olympic Gold Medal, when they defeated Germany 5-4 on penalties at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, with 4 goals to his credit. He was also part of 2012 London Olympics, Silver Medal winning team.
29. In July 2019, the police investigating rape allegations against Neymar, said the case was suspended due to a lack of evidence. The Brazilian model Najila Trindade had alleged the footballer attacked her in a hotel in Paris, France.
30. In 2017, he appeared as himself in the action film ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage.’ He has also been promoting Brazilian modern pop music, particularly Musicasertaneja.
31. Neymar Net Worth: $185 Million