Neymar Jr

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Neymar made his professional debut with Santos in 2009 and soon emerged as a teenage sensation. In 2011, he led Santos to the Copa Libertadores title and was named the tournament's best player. He joined Barcelona in 2013, where he was part of the MSN attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. He finished as the joint top scorer in the UEFA Champions League and the joint top scorer in the Copa del Rey as Barcelona completed the continental treble in 2014–15. At the age of 23, Neymar was viewed as one of the world's three best players, alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. After four seasons, Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 in a world-record €222 million transfer. Despite becoming injury-prone, he remained PSG's talisman and was vital to Ligue 1 title wins in 2017–18, 2019–20 and 2022–23, but failed to win the Champions League, with PSG finishing as runners-up in 2020 and being eliminated in the 2020–21 semi-finals. As one of the club's all-time top goalscorers, he is one of the few players to have scored over 100 goals with three clubs. In 2023, he joined Saudi club Al-Hilal before returning to Santos in January 2025.

In Their Own Story

Neymar was capped 130 times for the Brazil national team, the second-most for the country. He appeared in four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 2014 to 2026, scoring nine goals in 15 matches. His international honours include the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, for which he won the Golden Ball, as well as an Olympic gold medal in 2016 — the nation's first — and a silver medal in 2012. After missing Brazil's triumph at the 2019 Copa América due to injury, Neymar led them to the final of the 2021 Copa América, for which he jointly received the Golden Ball. He retired from international football in 2026.

Reader's Guide

World Cup Appearances: Neymar appeared in four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 2014 to 2026, scoring nine goals in 15 matches. His 2014 campaign ended prematurely due to a spinal injury against Germany, marking a tragic turning point. He also played in 2018, 2022, and 2026. Olympic Gold Medal (2016): Neymar captained Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal in men's football at Rio 2016, also having won a silver medal in 2012. FIFA Puskas Award (2011): Won for his spectacular solo goal against Flamengo on 27 July 2011, a thrilling 5–4 loss, recognized globally as the best goal of that year by FIFA. International Honours: 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup winner (Golden Ball), 2016 Olympic gold medal, 2012 Olympic silver medal, 2021 Copa América runner-up (joint Golden Ball). All-Time Records: Neymar is both the all-time top goalscorer (80) and assist provider (59) for the Brazil national team.

Did You Know?

• Neymar is both the all-time top goalscorer (80) and assist provider (59) for the Brazil national team.
• He scored nine goals in 15 matches across four consecutive FIFA World Cups from 2014 to 2026.
• Neymar won the FIFA Puskás Award in 2011 for a spectacular solo goal against Flamengo.
• He captained Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal in men's football at Rio 2016.
• Neymar retired from international football in 2026 after 130 caps, the second-most for Brazil.