Neymar Jr is a highly accomplished football player with a storied career, having played for prominent clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, and earning substantial amounts from salaries and endorsements. His professional journey is marked by numerous accolades and records, including being the most expensive player in history.
In 2017, a landmark transfer occurred when Neymar Jr joined Paris Saint-Germain, setting a new world record for the most expensive player, thereby cementing his status as a football sensation. During his tenure at PSG, he consistently showcased his exceptional skills, significantly contributing to the team's dominance in French football and their appearance in the 2020 Champions League final. As a key figure in the Brazilian national team since his debut in 2010, Neymar Jr has been instrumental in the team's successes, including the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro. Despite encountering injuries during crucial tournaments, he has consistently been one of Brazil's top performers in World Cups and Copa América competitions. In 2017, Neymar Jr signed a 5-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, which made him the highest-paid soccer player globally, with a base salary of $78 million from the club, and an additional $20-40 million per year from bonuses and endorsements. For instance, in 2020, his total earnings amounted to $96 million, comprising $78 million from his salary and $18 million from endorsements. Between May 2021 and May 2022, his earnings were reported to be $90 million. Neymar Jr's professional career began on March 7, 2009, when he was just 17 years old, playing in the last 30 minutes of Santos' game against Oeste. During his rookie season, he scored 14 goals in 48 games, demonstrating his impressive prowess. He continued to excel, scoring 42 goals in 60 games during his second season in 2010, and winning the 2012 South American Footballer of the Year award. His final season with Santos concluded on May 26, 2013, and the following day, he announced his decision to join Barcelona FC. While at Barcelona, Neymar Jr achieved numerous impressive feats, notably being part of the iconic attacking trio, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, known as 'MSN', which concluded the 2014-2015 season with a record 122 goals, the most ever scored by an attacking trio in Spanish football history. They surpassed this record the subsequent year with 131 goals. On August 3, 2017, Barcelona announced the payment of €222 million by Neymar Jr's legal representatives, triggering the release clause of his contract, which constituted the most expensive transfer at the time. Neymar Jr then signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain, helping the team achieve a domestic quadruple in the 2019-2020 season and leading them to their first-ever Champions League final. In November 2021, he suffered an ankle injury but returned in February 2022, contributing to the club's record-tying 10th national championship. In March 2023, it was announced that Neymar Jr would undergo surgery and be ruled out for the remainder of the season. In addition to his club career, Neymar Jr's professional journey includes numerous notable achievements with the Brazilian National Team. He was first selected for Brazil's senior team in 2010 at the age of 18, playing his first match in a friendly against the United States. Since then, he has represented Brazil in various international competitions, such as the 2011 South American Youth Championship, the 2013 Confederations Cup, three Copa America tournaments, two Summer Olympics, and two World Cups. Neymar Jr was previously in a relationship with Carolina Dantas, with whom he has a son, Davi Lucca, born on August 13, 2011. In 2021, he began dating Brazilian model Bruna Biancardi, and the couple announced their engagement in January 2022 before temporarily separating. They reconciled in January 2023 and announced Bruna's pregnancy in April. Neymar Jr is extremely close to his sister Rafaella, and both siblings have tattoos dedicated to each other. He is also a devout Pentecostal Christian, reportedly donating 10% of his income to his church, although these reports remain unsubstantiated. At the age of 17, Neymar Jr signed his first major contract with Santos, which paid him $1.7 million annually. A year later, Santos attempted to secure him with a $20 million long-term contract extension, but Neymar Jr declined, recognizing that the competition in Brazilian leagues would not be as fierce as in European leagues, potentially hindering his chances of becoming the world's best player. He eventually signed a short-term contract with Santos, earning $4 million per year, while allowing him to explore other options. In 2013, Neymar Jr signed a $119 million contract with Barcelona, which paid him an average of $15 million per year in salary, and an estimated $16 million per year from endorsement deals, bringing his total annual earnings to approximately $30 million between 2013 and 2017. On August 2, 2017, Neymar Jr signed a deal with French club Paris Saint-Germain, earning a record-breaking $1.02 million per week, roughly $53 million per year in salary alone. When combined with his endorsements, his annual earnings would be around $70 million. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Neymar Jr earned $90 million, with $20 million coming from endorsements and $70 million from salary and bonuses. He earned a similar amount between June 2018 and June 2019. In May 2013, Neymar Jr was rated by 'SportsPro' magazine as the most marketable athlete globally. A significant portion of his earnings comes from the numerous sponsorship deals he has signed with various companies. In 2011, he signed an 11-year contract with sportswear brand Nike, becoming the face of their advertisement campaigns and launching products such as the Nike Hypervenom football boot. Also in 2011, he signed a 2-year, $2.4 million deal with electronics brand Panasonic. Other brands he has collaborated with include Volkswagen, Tenys Pé Baruel, Lupo, Ambev, Claro, Unilever, and Santander.