Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, or simply Neymar, is one of the biggest names in world soccer. Here are 7 fascinating facts about this world-renowned superstar:
1. Unbelievable Debut
Neymar made his professional debut in 2009 with Santos at only 17 years old. In his debut match, he scored an incredible goal just 11 minutes after taking the field, en route to a 5-0 Santos victory.
2. Record Transfer Fee
Neymar signed with Barcelona for a then-world-record transfer fee of $124 million. The fee has since been exceeded by transfers for players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, and Philippe Coutinho.
3. The Portuguese Phenom
Neymar is a Brazilian-Portuguese dual citizen who speaks five languages: Portuguese, Spanish, French, English, and Catalan.
4. Goal Machine
Neymar has scored a staggering 538 goals in his career, making him one of the most prolific goalscorers of all time.
5. Brazil’s Merchandise King
Neymar is estimated to sell more branded merchandise than any other athlete in Brazil. He wears a number 10 jersey, and brasilinshop.com.br sells 10 Neymar-branded souvenirs.
6. Social Media Superstar
Neymar is one of the most popular athletes on social media. He has over 200 million followers on all of his social media platforms.
7. Charity Work
Neymar is committed to giving back to his community. He is the founder of the Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr., a social foundation that assists disadvantaged children with education, nutrition, and leisure activities.
Neymar is one of the most recognizable names in world soccer. Despite his international fame, Neymar still finds time for charity work, a testament to his strong character and commitment to helping others.
What is Neymar best known for?
Neymar is one of the world’s best soccer players. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015. He’s won three Champions League titles with Barcelona, and he’s scored more than 100 goals in his career. His speed is unmatched by any other player. He’s an iconic figure in international soccer, and his skill and charisma have made him an extremely popular figure globally.
What inspired Neymar in soccer?
Neymar grew up with a love of football and in the streets of Sao Paolo he got his rough football upbringing. His family was poor and Neymar had nothing to do, so naturally he started playing football. At the age of just 11 he was scouted by the Brazilian club Santos, in the year 2003 he signed a youth contract. He was inspired by club legends like Robinho who was the same age as him and fulfilling the dreams of playing pro football. Neymar was also inspired by the Brazilian national team Ronaldo and Ronaldinho who are considered two of the greatest football players in Brazil. In 2009, Neymar made his debut for Santo, scoring 14 goals in 48 appearances. He officially established himself as an elite player and inspired many young people to follow their dreams.
