Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known simply as Neymar, is a renowned Brazilian footballer with an estimated net worth of $350 million. He made his professional debut at Santos FC in 2009, showcasing incredible dribbling skills, creativity, and goal-scoring abilities. His talent quickly caught the attention of international football fans, and in 2013, he moved to Barcelona, forming a deadly attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Neymar’s time at Barcelona was marked by numerous victories, including the UEFA Champions League in 2015.
Neymar’s next major move occurred in 2017 when he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a record-breaking fee of €222 million, making him the most expensive player in history at the time. At PSG, Neymar continued to dazzle with his footballing prowess, helping the club dominate French football and even reach the 2020 Champions League final. On the international stage, Neymar has been a key player for the Brazilian national team, debuting in 2010. He led Brazil to win the 2013 Confederations Cup and the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, solidifying his legacy as a crucial figure in Brazilian football.
Salary & Contracts
In 2017, Neymar signed a landmark five-year contract with PSG, which made him the highest-paid soccer player globally. His base salary from the club stood at $78 million annually, and he earned an additional $20 to $40 million per year from bonuses and endorsement deals. For example, in 2020, Neymar’s total earnings reached $96 million, comprising $78 million from his salary and $18 million from endorsements. From May 2021 to May 2022, Neymar earned approximately $90 million.
In August 2022, Neymar signed a contract with a Saudi football team, guaranteeing him a base salary of $160 million per year. Additionally, he secured $30 million annually from his endorsement deal with Puma. These lucrative contracts reflect Neymar’s status as one of the highest-earning athletes in the world.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Neymar was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil. His father, Neymar Santos Sr., a former footballer, recognized his son’s talent early on and took on the role of his advisor. The family moved to São Vicente in 2003, where Neymar began his football journey with the youth team Portuguesa Santista. In 2003, the family relocated again, this time to Santos, where Neymar joined the youth academy of Santos FC. At 14 years old, Neymar even had the opportunity to join the Real Madrid youth team while visiting Spain, where legendary players such as Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, and David Beckham were active.
Professional Career
Neymar’s professional debut came on March 7, 2009, at the young age of 17, when he played for Santos FC in a match against Oeste. In his rookie season, Neymar scored 14 goals in 48 games. His performance continued to improve in the following seasons, and in 2010, he scored 42 goals in 60 games. By 2012, Neymar’s talent was globally recognized, and he was named South American Footballer of the Year. In 2013, Neymar made the decision to leave Santos and announced that he would be joining Barcelona FC.
During his time at Barcelona, Neymar became part of one of the most formidable attacking trios in football history alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. Together, they scored an astonishing 122 goals during the 2014-2015 season, setting a new record for the most goals ever scored in a season by an attacking trio in Spanish football. This record was broken in the following season when they collectively scored 131 goals. However, on August 3, 2017, Neymar’s €222 million release clause was activated, making his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain the most expensive in history.
At PSG, Neymar helped the team win a domestic quadruple in the 2019-2020 season and led them to their first-ever Champions League final. Despite facing injuries, such as an ankle injury in November 2021 that sidelined him for a period, Neymar continued to play a vital role in PSG’s successes, including helping them win their 10th national championship in 2022. In March 2023, it was reported that Neymar would require surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Neymar’s contributions extend beyond club football. He made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 2010 at just 18 years old and has since represented Brazil in major international tournaments, including the South American Youth Championship in 2011, the Confederations Cup in 2013, three Copa América tournaments, two Summer Olympics, and two World Cups. His international career has been marked by standout performances, such as leading Brazil to a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics.
Personal Life
Neymar’s personal life has often been the subject of media attention. He has a son, Davi Lucca, born on August 13, 2011, from his previous relationship with Carolina Dantas. In 2021, Neymar began dating Brazilian model Bruna Biancardi, and the couple got engaged in January 2022. Although they temporarily broke up, they reconciled in January 2023, and in April of that year, they announced Bruna’s pregnancy. Neymar is very close to his sister, Rafaella, and the siblings have tattoos dedicated to one another, symbolizing their strong bond.
Neymar is also known for his devout faith as a Pentecostal Christian. He reportedly tithes 10% of his income to his church, though this has not been officially confirmed. His personal and professional life has kept him in the spotlight, not just for his footballing talents but also for his relationships and philanthropic endeavors.
Net Worth Over Time
Neymar’s career trajectory has been one of rapid financial growth. At 17, Neymar signed his first significant contract with Santos, earning $1.7 million per year. A year later, Santos offered him a long-term contract worth $20 million, which Neymar rejected, as he believed the Brazilian league would not offer the same level of competition as European leagues, hindering his pursuit of becoming the best player in the world. Instead, Neymar signed a short-term contract paying him $4 million annually, allowing him to explore future opportunities.
In 2013, Neymar made a significant leap in his career by signing a $119 million contract with Barcelona. This deal paid him an average salary of $15 million per year, in addition to an estimated $16 million per year from endorsement deals. Between 2013 and 2017, Neymar’s total annual earnings averaged around $30 million.
In 2017, Neymar made headlines when he signed a record-breaking deal with Paris Saint-Germain. This contract guaranteed him $53 million annually in salary, which amounted to approximately $1.02 million per week. Combining his salary and endorsement deals, Neymar earned around $70 million per year during his first years at PSG. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Neymar’s total earnings reached $90 million, with $70 million coming from salary and bonuses, and $20 million from endorsements. His earnings remained at a similar level between June 2018 and June 2019.
Neymar’s marketability has contributed significantly to his wealth. In 2013, SportsPro magazine ranked Neymar as the most marketable athlete globally. His endorsement deals have been a major source of his income. In 2011, Neymar signed an 11-year contract with Nike, becoming the face of their advertising campaigns and launching products like the Nike Hypervenom football boot. Other brands that have partnered with Neymar include Panasonic, Volkswagen, Tenys Pé Baruel, Lupo, Ambev, Claro, Unilever, and Santander, making him one of the most marketable athletes of his generation.
