Top 50 Unknown and Interesting Facts About Neymar Jr.

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar Jr., was born on February 5, 1992. The Brazilian football sensation is celebrated as one of the most talented forwards of his generation. Neymar excels for both the Brazil national team and Al Hilal, the Saudi Pro League team he currently plays for. Famed for his extraordinary talents, dribbling acumen, and goal-scoring prowess, Neymar has made a lasting impression on the game of football worldwide.

As one of the few players to have over 100 goals for three different clubs, Neymar has cemented his place in football history. As the highest-scoring Brazilian in the UEFA Champions League, he also owns the title as Brazil’s all-time top striker. He has received praise from all around the world for his contributions to some of football’s greatest wins.

In this blog, we’ll uncover 50 unknown and interesting facts about Neymar Jr., spanning his early life, career milestones, and personal experiences.

1. Named After His Father

Neymar Jr. is named after his father, Neymar Santos Sr., who was also a professional footballer. Neymar Sr. played a crucial role in shaping his son’s career, managing him throughout his football journey.

2. Early Passion for Futsal

Neymar Jr. started playing futsal (indoor football) at a young age. This Brazilian sport was instrumental in developing his quick feet and dribbling skills, which are now integral to his football style.

3. First Professional Contract at 17

At just 17 years old, Neymar signed his first professional contract with Santos FC, one of the most prestigious clubs in Brazil, making his debut in 2009.

4. Rejected Real Madrid at 14

When Neymar was 14, he flew to Spain to trial for Real Madrid. Despite performing well, he decided to stay in Brazil due to family reasons, rejecting a potential contract from one of the biggest clubs in the world.

5. Biggest Transfer in Football History

In 2017, Neymar Jr. made headlines by becoming the most expensive footballer in history when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) paid a staggering €222 million to trigger his release clause from FC Barcelona.

6. First Brazilian to Grace the Cover of Time Magazine

In 2013, Neymar Jr. became the first Brazilian footballer to be featured on the cover of Time magazine. The cover story titled “The Next Pelé” highlighted his potential to dominate world football.

7. Incredible Santos Goal Count

Before moving to Europe, Neymar scored an impressive 136 goals in 225 appearances for Santos FC, securing his reputation as one of Brazil’s brightest young talents.

8. Childhood Idol: Robinho

Growing up, Neymar Jr. idolized fellow Brazilian forward Robinho. They later played together at Santos FC, giving Neymar the chance to learn directly from his hero.

9. A Fan of Tattoos

Neymar is a tattoo enthusiast and has over 30 tattoos on his body, each with a special meaning. His ink includes tributes to his family, his sister Rafaella, and a reference to his faith.

10. Close Bond with Sister

Neymar shares a very close relationship with his sister, Rafaella Santos. He even has a tattoo of her face on his arm, and interestingly, he often misses matches due to injuries around her birthday each year, which has sparked various fan theories.

11. Loves to Play Poker

Outside of football, Neymar is an avid poker player. He often participates in celebrity poker tournaments and has expressed his desire to become a professional poker player after retiring from football.

12. Supporting Charity

Neymar is heavily involved in charity work through his Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr., a non-profit organization that provides education and sports opportunities to underprivileged children in his hometown of Praia Grande, São Paulo.

13. First Goal for Brazil at 18

Neymar scored his first goal for the Brazilian national team in August 2010 during a friendly match against the United States, just two days after his debut, at the age of 18.

14. Marketing Marvel

Neymar is not just a footballer; he’s a marketing phenomenon. He has had endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Puma, and Beats by Dre, making him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world.

15. The Neymar Dance

Neymar’s celebration dance after scoring goals has become iconic. His fun and energetic dance moves, often accompanied by teammates, have gone viral, becoming a symbol of his joyous and flamboyant personality.

16. Top 10 Goal Scorer for Brazil

Neymar is among the top 10 all-time goal scorers for the Brazilian national team. His goal tally for Brazil places him in elite company with legends like Pelé and Ronaldo.

17. The PSG Star Wears No. 10

Neymar wears the iconic No. 10 jersey for both Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil, following in the footsteps of football greats like Pelé, Zico, and Ronaldinho, who also donned the number for the national team.

18. Has a Son Named Davi Lucca

Neymar became a father at the age of 19 when his son, Davi Lucca, was born in 2011. He has a close relationship with Davi and frequently shares photos and moments with him on social media.

19. Love for Basketball

Neymar is a basketball fan and has been seen at NBA games. He is particularly fond of LeBron James and even met him in 2014 during a visit to the United States.

20. Video Game Aficionado

Neymar Jr. enjoys playing video games in his free time. His favorite games include Call of Duty and FIFA, where he has the unique experience of playing as himself.

21. Featured in ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’

Neymar made a cameo appearance in the action movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) alongside Vin Diesel. He played himself and was involved in an action-packed sequence.

22. Documentary Star

Neymar’s life and career are the focus of the Netflix documentary series Neymar: The Perfect Chaos (2022), which provides an intimate look at his journey, including his controversies and successes.

23. Has a Personal Chef

To maintain his elite physical condition, Neymar Jr. employs a personal chef who ensures he follows a strict diet tailored to his athletic needs.

24. Injury Struggles

Despite his incredible talent, Neymar has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. His most notable injury occurred in the 2014 World Cup, where a fractured vertebra in the quarter-finals ended his tournament early.

25. Fluent in Multiple Languages

Neymar is fluent in Portuguese, his native language, and has learned Spanish after his transfer to Barcelona. He is also improving his French to communicate better with teammates at PSG.

26. Won the Copa Libertadores with Santos

In 2011, Neymar helped Santos FC win the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious club competition. It was the first time Santos had won the title since the days of Pelé.

27. Olympic Gold Medalist

One of Neymar’s proudest moments came in 2016 when he captained Brazil to their first-ever Olympic gold medal in football during the Rio Olympics. He scored the decisive penalty in the final against Germany.

28. Heavily Involved in Fashion

Neymar has a passion for fashion and is known for his unique style, often appearing in high-end clothing and collaborating with fashion brands for exclusive collections.

29. Unveiled a Wax Figure

Neymar has his own wax figure at the famous Madame Tussauds museum in London, which captures his likeness in a pose similar to his goal celebration.

30. Loves Cars

Neymar has a love for luxury cars and owns several high-end vehicles, including a Ferrari 458 Spider and a Maserati MC12, among other exotic cars in his collection.

31. Religious Devotion

Neymar is a devout Christian and often credits God for his success. His faith is a central part of his life, and he frequently shares Bible verses and religious messages on his social media accounts.

32. First European Club Goal for Barcelona

Neymar scored his first European club goal for FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League group stage match against Celtic FC in 2013.

33. Messi, Neymar, Suárez Trio

Neymar was part of the legendary “MSN” trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at FC Barcelona. Together, they formed one of the most formidable attacking forces in football history, leading Barcelona to numerous titles.

34. Received Two Golden Balls in Brazil

Before moving to Europe, Neymar won the prestigious “Bola de Ouro” (Golden Ball), awarded to the best player in Brazil’s domestic league, in 2011 and 2012.

35. Inspired by Pelé

Growing up at Santos FC, Neymar was constantly reminded of Pelé’s legacy at the club. He often cites Pelé as a major inspiration in his career and strives to follow in his footsteps.

36. The Neymar Jr. Five

Neymar launched his own football tournament called the “Neymar Jr. Five.” It is the world’s largest five-a-side football competition, with teams from all over the world participating.

37. Visited the Pope

Neymar had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in 2016 when he was part of a delegation that visited the Vatican. This meeting was a significant moment for the devout footballer.

38. Footballer of the Year Awards

Neymar has been named the South American Footballer of the Year multiple times, showcasing his dominance in the continent before moving to Europe.

39. Neymar in Comics

Neymar’s popularity transcends football. He was featured as a comic book character in the Brazilian comic series Monica’s Gang in 2013, where he had his own storylines.

40. Huge Fan of Samba Music

Being Brazilian, it’s no surprise that Neymar loves samba music. He often shares videos of himself dancing and singing along to samba tunes, especially during celebrations.

41. Won a Treble with Barcelona

Neymar played a crucial role in FC Barcelona’s treble-winning season in 2014-2015, where they won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.

42. Teammate of Kylian Mbappé

At PSG, Neymar has formed a strong partnership with French superstar Kylian Mbappé, combining their speed, skills, and finishing to create one of the most dangerous attacking duos in the world.

43. Generous with Fans

Neymar is known for his generosity with fans. He frequently gives away signed jerseys and shoes after matches, and he makes time for photos and autographs, especially with children.

44. Has a Private Jet

As one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, Neymar owns a private jet, which he uses to travel comfortably between his commitments, particularly when flying home to Brazil.

45. Samba Gold Award

Neymar has won the prestigious Samba Gold Award, which is given annually to the best Brazilian footballer playing in Europe. He has claimed the award multiple times throughout his career.

46. PSG Goal Scoring Record

Neymar is one of the all-time leading scorers for Paris Saint-Germain, contributing to the club’s dominance in French football and helping them secure numerous domestic titles.

47. First PSG Hat-trick

Neymar scored his first hat-trick for PSG in the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade in 2018, showcasing his incredible talent on the European stage.

48. Played for Brazil U17 at 14

Neymar was just 14 years old when he represented Brazil at the U17 level, playing in the South American U17 Championship. This marked the beginning of his journey with the national team.

49. Goal Celebration Signature: ‘Shhh’

One of Neymar’s signature goal celebrations involves him putting his finger to his lips, gesturing ‘shhh’ to silence critics, a celebration that has become iconic over the years.

50. Destined for Stardom from a Young Age

From the moment Neymar burst onto the scene, football experts predicted he would become one of the greatest players in the world. His flair, creativity, and passion have made him a true icon of the sport.