Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, widely known as Neymar, is a Brazilian football superstar whose combination of flair, skill, and charisma has made him one of the most recognizable and marketable athletes on the planet. As of 2025, Neymar’s net worth is estimated at $350 million, placing him among the wealthiest and highest-paid athletes globally. The 32-year-old forward is known for his record-breaking transfers, lucrative endorsement deals, and glittering football career with clubs like Santos, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and more recently, in the Saudi football league.
Early Life: The Making of a Prodigy
Born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, Neymar was raised in a football-obsessed household. His father, Neymar Santos Sr., a former footballer, became his first mentor and advisor, playing an instrumental role in shaping his son’s early career. By age 11, Neymar was already making waves in the youth divisions of Portuguesa Santista and later Santos FC, where he would later emerge as Brazil’s brightest young star.
When he was just 14 years old, Neymar was invited to Spain for a trial with Real Madrid’s youth academy, where he trained alongside legends like Ronaldo and Zidane. Despite the opportunity, Neymar returned to Brazil to continue his development with Santos, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
Santos FC to Barcelona: The Rise to Global Stardom
Neymar made his professional debut for Santos at just 17 in 2009, scoring 14 goals in his first season. By 2010, he had become a sensation in Brazil, netting 42 goals in 60 games and winning the 2012 South American Footballer of the Year award.
His performances drew attention from European powerhouses, and in May 2013, Neymar signed with FC Barcelona. At Camp Nou, he formed the famous attacking trio known as “MSN,” alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. During the 2014-2015 season, the trio scored a record 122 goals combined, leading Barcelona to a historic treble, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League.
A Historic Transfer to PSG
On August 3, 2017, Neymar shattered transfer records by joining Paris Saint-Germain after his representatives activated a €222 million release clause at Barcelona—the most expensive transfer in football history. The move to France catapulted Neymar into a new stratosphere of wealth, with an initial five-year contract worth $78 million per year in base salary.
At PSG, Neymar continued to dominate, helping the team win multiple Ligue 1 titles, domestic cups, and reach their first-ever UEFA Champions League final in 2020. Despite injury setbacks, Neymar remained one of the most impactful players in Europe.
In August 2022, Neymar shocked the football world again by signing with a Saudi Arabian club, securing a staggering annual salary of $160 million, making him one of the highest-paid footballers globally.
Neymar’s International Success with Brazil
Since his debut with Brazil’s senior national team in 2010, Neymar has been a cornerstone of the Seleção. He led Brazil to victory in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and played a pivotal role in securing the nation’s long-awaited Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
Though injuries hampered his World Cup runs in 2014 and 2018, Neymar has consistently delivered for Brazil, competing in multiple Copa América tournaments and ranking among the nation’s all-time leading goal scorers, trailing only Pelé and Ronaldo in international goals.
Salaries and Endorsement Fortunes
Throughout his career, Neymar has consistently ranked among the top earners in global sports. His PSG contract paid him over $70 million annually when including bonuses and incentives. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, Neymar reportedly earned $90 million, with $20 million coming from endorsements.
Neymar’s endorsement portfolio is vast. He signed an 11-year contract with Nike in 2011, becoming the face of numerous ad campaigns. After parting ways with Nike, he inked a massive sponsorship with Puma, earning $30 million per year as the face of the Puma King line.
His endorsement deals extend to major brands like Volkswagen, Panasonic, Claro, Santander, Red Bull, and Unilever, significantly contributing to his $350 million fortune. In 2013, SportsPro magazine named Neymar the most marketable athlete in the world, ahead of icons like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Neymar’s wealth is reflected in his real estate investments. In January 2023, he purchased a lavish $8.8 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills, followed by another $8.9 million property in Los Angeles previously owned by singer Ariana Grande in early 2024.
In his personal life, Neymar has a son, Davi Lucca, born in 2011 from a previous relationship with Carolina Dantas. Since 2021, he has been linked to Brazilian model Bruna Biancardi, with whom he announced an engagement in January 2022. Although the couple briefly split, they reconciled in January 2023 and welcomed their first child later that year.
Despite his fame, Neymar remains deeply connected to his family, particularly his sister Rafaella, with whom he shares a famously close relationship. Both have tattoos dedicated to one another.
Neymar’s Influence Beyond Football
Off the pitch, Neymar is an influential figure in pop culture, fashion, and philanthropy. A devout Pentecostal Christian, he has publicly spoken about his faith and frequently donates to charitable causes. Neymar has been involved in several social initiatives and has used his platform to speak out on issues affecting Brazilian society.
His passion for gaming and social media engagement has also contributed to his brand power, with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and Twitch, where he occasionally streams games like Call of Duty and Counter-Strike.
