15 Surprising Facts About Neymar Jr

Neymar

This is the list of facts about Neymar Jr. Neymar is the footballer who ranked among the top prominent sportsmen and he’s considered to be one of the most marketable footballers in the game. he holds a variety of awards for his stellar achievements in football. For more facts check out these facts you didn’t know about Neymar.

1. Neymar Won The FIFA Puskas Award In 2011

Neymar Won The FIFA Puskas Award

Neymar was awarded the esteemed FIFA Puskas award back in 2011. This particular award is especially significant for footballers as it’s given for the most aesthetically outstanding goal of the year. For Neymar, that was a solo goal scored for Santos against Flamengo in the Brasileiro Série A. The Puskas award was established to honor the memory of Franc puskas who is considered to be one of the most powerful forwards in the history of European football.

2. Neymar Joined His First Football Club When He Was Just 7 Years Old

In Brazil, football is considered to be a part of everyday culture. So, it’s no wonder that Niemeyer started picking up a ball at a very young age. A variety of football like street games as well as futsal were an integral part of his early childhood. He became part of the Portuguesa Santista Club back in 1999 when he was just a seven-year-old kid. Within the next few years, he was earnestly developing his talent and improving his game which ultimately led to his departure from the club.

3. Neymar’s Professional Career Began At Santos FC

Neymar's Professional Career Began At Santos FC

Neymar was approached by Santos FC in 2003 when they offered him his first significant contract. Santos FC’s youth academy has a very prominent spot in football history. Keeping that in mind, it’s no wonder that 11 year old and Neymar are decided to join the academy as well. His talents quickly became a matter of public knowledge and he was given an offer to join Real Madrid when he was just 14.

4. Neymar Won The Best Young Player Award In 2009

Neymar’s professional debut happened in 2009 when he was only 17 years old. He was brought in for the last half an hour during a match of Santos against Oeste. He scored his first professional goal for Santos just a couple of days after that. Neymar continued the successful streak and managed to live up to the hype that followed, earning the league’s best young player award.

5. Neymar’s Net Worth Is Estimated To Be Around 110 Million Euros

In August 2017, Neymar hit another milestone with a highly publicized, 222 million euro transfer from Barcelona to Paris saint-germain. That soul transfer made Neymar the most expensive player in the history of football. Aside from his football earnings, Neymar also has lots of highly lucrative sponsorship deals including those with Nike, Redbull, Gillette, and Beats Electronics. In his native Brazil, Neymar’s face and name can be seen on just about every item you could think of. So, his status of a marketing heavyweight is secured even without the bigger endorsements.

6. Neymar Came From Poor But Happy Beginnings

6. Neymar Came From Poor But Happy Beginnings

When Neymar Jr. was a child, his father worked three jobs simultaneously, so he could feed the family. His mother also worked as a cook at a nearby child care facility. Regardless of that, Neymar Jr. always managed to see the joy in everything. When the electricity was cut off due to unpaid bills, he rejoiced the candles were lit and he slept with his ball. That kind of modesty shaped him into the man he is today.

7. His Transfer From Santos To Barcelona To Tax Fraud Charges

In 2013, Neymar announced he was transferring to Barcelona. The transfer seemed clean until the prosecutor’s office in Madrid started investigating the transfer fee documents that contained some contradictory information. Initially, it was announced the transfer was worth 57.1 million euro, but it was later revealed the fee was in fact 86.2 million euro. Neymar’s parents confirmed, they had received 40 million euro. Ultimately, Barcelona and its vice-president were charged with tax fraud.

8. Neymar Was Accused Of Over-Acting His Injuries Several Times

Neymar Was Accused Of Over-Acting His Injuries Several Times

Neymar’s being accused of acting out injuries numerous times but the most notorious accusations were those linked to the 2018 World Cup matches. It’s estimated that Neymar Jr. spent 14 minutes rolling on the floor during Brazil’s five games. The fact that Brazil was swiftly eliminated at the quarterfinals by Belgium didn’t help either. The overall situation was cause for Neymar to become the butt of numerous jokes and memes on social media. Neymar denied that he ever play acted his injuries.

9. Neymar’s First Son Was Born When He Was 19

Neymar's First Son born when he was 17

Neymar had a son when he was just 19. At that time though, he didn’t want to reveal the name of the boy’s mother because he wanted to protect her from the media frenzy. Neymar himself said that although he was afraid of his new responsibilities in the beginning, he’s now enjoying his role as a father. He’s often quoted as describing the birth of his son as 2.8 kilograms of pure happiness. It was later discovered the mother of the boy, its Neymar’s former girlfriend Karolina Dantos.

10. Neymar Jr. Purchased A Luxury Yacht For A Whopping $8 Million

Neymar Jr. Purchased A Luxury Yacht

Being one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, Neymar can afford to have expensive tastes as well as a lavish and over-the-top lifestyle. He owns a private jet and a lengthy portfolio of luxury properties in six Brazillian in cities. The thing which tops his extravagant asset list is a yacht which costs 7 million euro or about $8 million. The opulent piece of property also costs an astounding 120 thousand dollars per year to maintain. Neymar are also has a large car collection that includes an extravagant Porsche Panamera Turbo and as extravagant as his yacht is, it’s still no match for most of the yachts found on the list of the 15 luxury yachts only billionaires can afford.

11. Neymar Suffered A Difficult Injury In January 2019

Neymar Suffered A Difficult Injury In January 2019

Neymar suffered a metatarsal injury in the Para st. Germain’s French Cup-winning match against Strasbourg. After detailed exams by specialists, it was decided that Neymar would undergo a conservative treatment instead of an invasive surgery. Neymar’s recovery is expected to last ten weeks which means he’ll sit out a critical period in his st. Germain season. It’s estimated that Neymar will be fully recovered and able to participate in the Copa America Tournament in June and July.

12. Neymar Proudly Promotes Brazillian Pop music

Neymar promotes brazilian pop

Neymar was always proud of his Brazilian roots, so he gladly promotes for Brazillian culture and values. In recent times, he’s often promoted Brazilian modern pop, more particularly, música sertaneja. He’s known as a fan and supporter of Brazilian singers Michel Teló and Gusttavo Lima. The video of him dancing to Michel Telo hit in the Santos locker room went viral. Neymar also appeared in two music videos of Brazillian musicians and he often dances to sertanejo songs after scoring goals.

13. Neymar Holds 2 Guinness World Records

Aside from holding the already mentioned most expensive footballer record, Neymar Jr. also set the record for the fastest goal in Olympic history for a male footballer. The famous goal happened to the 2016 Summer Olympics during Brazil’s semi final game against Honduras. Neymar rocketed the ball into the back of the net at a breathtaking 14 seconds, Brazil won six nil and Neymar’s record went into history.

14. Neymar Is A Devoted Christian

Neymar Is A Devoted Christian

Neymar has spoken about his faith numerous times and he’s known as a very religious person. He is a Pentecostal Christian and reportedly gives 10% of his profit to the church. The Pentecostal branch of Christianity places special importance on a personal experience with god, gained through the act of baptism. Neymar’s religion is a great part of his life and philosophy. He’s known for sometimes wearing a headband with 100% Jesus written on it.

15. There Is A Brazillian Comic Book Based On Neymar As A Child

There Is A Brazillian Comic Book Based On Neymar As A Child

Throughout his fantastic career, Neymar was never one to shy away from the cameras. He’s been on numerous magazine covers and has been featured on commercials as well as in many campaigns for good causes. A Brazillian cartoonist, by the name of Mauricio de Sousa even made a comic which features Neymar as a child. The famous footballer also had noticeable cameos in several movies including ‘Xxx Return of Xander Cage’ back in 2017 as well as the upcoming Kickboxer Armageddon.