Manchester City deny Neymar bid

Manchester City have answered the judge presiding over the 'DIS case' to confirm that they never made Santos a formal offer for Neymar. As part of the court proceedings, the judge approached several European clubs to ask if they had made an offer for the Brazilian. Real Madrid confirmed they had done so, while Bayern and City responded in the negative. A reply from Chelsea is still pending.
A few days ago, the Manchester club submitted their answer to the British police assuring that no firm offer to sign the forward was ever made. City were interested in signing Neymar, but bowed out once they saw the tug of war in play between Real Madrid and Barca.

Dunga: Neymar best in the world

SAO PAULO, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Barcelona forward Neymar is currently the best player in world football, Brazil coach Dunga said on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Selecao captain returns to the national team for their World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Thursday after serving a four-game international ban.

Speaking at a press conference in Sao Paulo, Dunga admitted Neymar's presence would be vital in the clash at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

"If we look at the ranking by numbers and statistics, Neymar is superior right now," Dunga said.

Neymar already has 13 goals from 14 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona this term.

He scored an early candidate for goal of the season on Sunday with a sublime volley after flicking the ball over his opponent in Barcelona's 3-0 Liga victory over Villarreal.

"(Lionel) Messi is injured, Cristiano (Ronaldo) is expected to repeat what he did last year," Dunga added.

"Neymar has improved consistently since he arrived at Barcelona (in 2013). He has done all that was expected of him with Messi out. He's in great form."

Argentina will be without a host of key names for Thursday's clash. Among those sidelined by injury are four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero and Boca Juniors talisman Carlos Tevez.

Dunga refuted suggestions the Albiceleste would be left vulnerable by the absence of their biggest stars.

"They will have players out injured but it is still Argentina," he said.

"You lose a talented player but you get one that is maybe more focused, with more power and speed, and they can create problems. It's Argentina, their players all play at the highest level in Europe."

Brazil are currently fifth in the 10-team South America zone standings while Argentina are seventh after two matches.

Report: Barcelona, Neymar to negotiate contract extension this week

The hottest fake transfer rumor of the summer window was the supposed gigantic offer from Manchester United to sign Barcelona superstar Neymar. The English papers were all over the story, going as far as to say that the Brazilian was ready to accept the offer and move to the Red Devils. As we all know, it was all crap and Neymar will stay in Catalonia for many, many years to come. He's now ready to make it official.

Reports from Catalan media claim that the player and his father are set to meet with president Josep Maria Bartomeu at the club's offices this week to finally negotiate a contract extension. Neymar Sr. has already left Brazil and will reportedly be with his son at Stadio Olimpico, where Barça make their UEFA Champions League debut against AS Roma.

As soon as the game is over and the plane returns home, both parties will have a meeting to strike a deal that will keep Neymar until 2022, with an option to sign for an extra year. Neymar's release clause will get increased, and his wages will make him the highest paid footballer on Barça's roster not named Lionel Messi. If everything goes well, the agreement will be made official and public by the end of next week, according to the reports.

If that happens, we can be happy and reassured that our present and future will remain in a Blaugrana uniform for a long time.

Bartomeu and Rosell charged in 'Neymar-gate'

Neymar's move to Barcelona is still causing the club a huge headache. According to 'Catalunya Radio', far from just fading away, the saga has now taken a new twist. A Barcelona judge has upheld the ruling made in Madrid, which means that Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell have now been formally charged for their part in 'Neymar-gate'.

According to the radio station, the court in Barcelona has asked the club, its president, Bartomeu, and its former president, Rosell, to provide a written defence of their roles in Neymar's transfer.

In doing so, the Barcelona court has taken another step towards resolving the Brazilian's transfer in court. It had been thought that moving the case to the Catalan capital would be the end of it, but that has not been the case. They now have 20 days to present that written defence to the judge.

Barcelona’s Neymar dismisses Manchester United link

Neymar insists Barcelona fans have “nothing to worry about” despite reports linking him with a world-record move to Manchester United.

Sky sources understand that United have the wage structure and transfer funds in place to sign Neymar, but have been told the Brazil international is not for sale after making initial enquiries earlier in the summer. 

Newspaper reports last week suggested United were prepared to spend £240m to bring Neymar to Old Trafford before the close of the summer transfer window on Tuesday. 

Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu, however, dismissed talk of a move away from the Nou Camp for Neymar and said the club were preparing to offer the 23-year-old a new long-term contract to remain at the club. 

After making his return to action from illness in Barca's 1-0 La Liga victory over Malaga on Saturday night, Neymar confirmed his desire to stay at the club and says he's happy with his current situation. 

"When I hear things like that, I don't think about it. I hear them, but I'm totally at ease. I'm very happy at Barca and with my team-mates," he told Spanish television station TV3. 

"Barca fans have nothing to worry about."

Neymar joined Barca from Santos in 2013 and scored 39 goals last season to help Luis Enrique's side complete a historic La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble. 

He remains contracted to Barca until the summer of 2018. 

The Planet Neymar, Part II: A Trip to Madrid

 He is now a Barcelona superstar, but a very young Neymar once made a trip to the club's biggest rival, and his story could have been way different today

When Robinho arrived at Real Madrid in 2005, the club started taking an interest in Neymar. He was thirteen years old. It was no mere coincidence. Arriving in the Spanish capital alongside Robinho was the Brazilian football agent Wagner Ribeiro. He knew Neymar Jr. every bit as well as president Teixeira and the legendary Zito. He'd been introduced to Neymar Sr. by Roberto Antonio dos Santos, aka Betinho, the kid's first coach. A man who'd been investing in Neymar from the time he was twelve.

From the moment Robinho reported for duty at Real, the two clubs - the white-clad bastions of world football in the 60s - had been discussing the next item on their agenda. Signed from Santos for US$ 50 million, Robinho debuted for Real during the 2005-2006 season, the same year Argentinean Lionel Messi graduated to first-team football at Barcelona.

Robinho arrived in Spain at the start of the season and made his first appearance for the club in August after considerable drama at the negotiating table - history that would repeat itself years later when Neymar signed for Barcelona, albeit under different circumstances. Santos refused to sell him for less than the sum stipulated in the release clause of his contract. Real Madrid would have to pay a US$ 50 million buyout fee or they couldn't have him.

Robinho argued that, as he owned 40% of his own contract, he could foot his part and the Spanish giants would "only" have to deposit US$ 30 million into Santos' account. The case wore on and the player decided to go on strike until the squabble was resolved. He didn't play for a fortnight and won the tug-of-war; or part of it at least.

The Brazilian club agreed to release him from his contract on the condition that Real Madrid pay the entirety of the 60% owned by Santos. The other 40% belonged to the player, who agreed to waive his right to US$ 20 million. Robinho was anxious to play in Europe, and had decided to negotiate his part with Real at a later date.

Off he went. Wagner Ribeiro went with him, eagerly telling anyone who would listen that Real Madrid could have a young firebrand on par with the super-talented Argentinean Barcelona had just unveiled to the world. Messi had moved to Spain at age thirteen. Neymar was arriving at the same age. The Spanish capital's dream team had succeeded in bringing the pre-teen promise to charming Madrid. At the time, another Neymar, the boy's father, was working as a mechanic for the Santos Traffic Company, earning roughly one thousand dollars a month. The family lived in a rented house in São Vicente. Neymar Jr.'s dream of moving up in the world, of working and training alongside the Galácticos at Real Madrid, would come at the price of being away from his family and friends, not to mention of having to adapt to the vicissitudes of life in Spain. The chance to work with and learn from the world's best and most famous footballers was simply extraordinary, and the fact that he would be staying at Robinho's home was a mitigating factor. Training at Real, he was able to meet the likes of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Carlos.

Neymar Jr., like any other kid who got the chance, had his picture taken with all of his heroes. There were some striking moments with Robinho, his idol from Santos, and with Ronaldo. He played and also watched Real play, savoring victory after victory from the stands, even though it was Barcelona, Real's archrival, that took the Spanish league title that year.

For nineteen days the boy experienced the glamour of watching Real Madrid at the emblematic Santiago Bernabéu, secure in the knowledge that he was a star in the making, a sense buttressed by association with the greats of the Spanish game. Over the course of his trial, he scored 27 goals, leaving Real Madrid's youth team coaches drooling on the sidelines. Yet despite the apparent advantages, the kid still had his doubts. He wasn't convinced that Real Madrid, with its all-white strip, like Santos', was the best direction for his career. In a not-so-distant future, would there really be space for him in a squad brimming with superstars acquired at astronomical prices? Or would he, like so many others before him, be forced to accept a plan B and be loaned off to a lesser club, such as Granada and Rayo Vallecano, where perhaps his destiny of becoming one of football's greats would elude him? What was the best course of action for an impoverished boy like him: stay in Spain, close to the major footballing hubs of Europe, or head back to Brazil?

Neymar wasn't happy in Spain. Unlike Messi, who was more introspective, the Brazlian was outgoing and chirpy. He loved spending time with his friends, singing and dancing. His doubts and unhappiness tormented the whole Silva Santos clan. But the decision had been made: no matter how much his parents sensed that the best thing for him was to return to Brazil, Neymar would have the final say. As it would in so many decisive games he would play in the years to come, the responsibility fell on the boy's shoulders.

The Planet Neymar is a new series with stories about the Barça superstar's journey from the book "Planet Neymar: A Profile", by Brazilian journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho.

Brazil Names Roster for September Friendly at Red Bull Arena

The Brazilian Football Confederation has announced the roster for the Brazil Men's National Team International Friendlies in September, including the September 5 match against Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena.

The roster features 11 players that were part of Brazil's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad, including Neymar Jr, Oscar and David Luis. Kaka, who joined MLS' Orlando City SC ahead of the 2015 season, was also named to the roster. Kaka has 89 appearances for Brazil, including three World Cups. Kaka will make two trips to Red Bull Arena in September, as the Red Bulls host Orlando City SC on Friday, September 25. Brazil, the only nation to win the FIFA World Cup a total of five times, are coached by Dunga and finished in fourth place in last year's World Cup at home in Brazil.  The roster also represents some of the biggest clubs in the world, including FC Barcelona (Dani Alves, Neymar), Manchester City (Fernandinho), Real Madrid (Danilo), Chelsea FC (Ramires, Oscar, Willian) and FC Bayern Munich (Douglas Costa). Tickets are available by visiting Ticketmaster.com as well as calling the New York Red Bulls ticketing line at 1-877-727-6223. Fans can also purchase a Joga Bonito package, which offers fans a chance to see Kaka twice at Red Bull Arena. The package includes a ticket to the Brazil-Costa Rica match, as well as a seat when the Red Bulls host Orlando City in an important game down the final stretch of the regular season.  Brazil Roster Player Club Jefferson Botafogo (Brazil) Marcelo Grohe Grêmio (Brazil) Alisson Internacional (Brazil) David Luiz Paris Saint-Germain (France) Marquinhos Paris Saint-Germain (France) Miranda Inter Milan (Italy) Gabriel Paulista Arsenal (England) Daniel Alves Barcelona (Spain) Luis Filipe Atletico Madrid (Spain) Danilo Real Madrid (Spain) Douglas Santos Atlético Mineiro (Brazil) Luis Gustavo VFL Wolfsburg (Germany) Fernandinho Manchester City (England) Elias Corinthians (Brazil) Ramires Chelsea FC (England) Oscar Chelsea FC (England) Roberto Firmino Liverpool (England) Willian Chelsea FC (England) Kaka Orlando City SC (MLS) Lucas Lima Santos (Brazil) Neymar Junior Barcelona (Spain) Lucas Moura Paris Saint-Germain (France)  Hulk Zenit Saint Petersburg (Russia) Douglas Costa FC Bayern Munich (Germany)

Why £22m Barcelona forward Pedro could be Manchester United’s galactico signing

Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez continues to be linked with a transfer to Manchester United, and with each passing day, the move appears to be increasingly likely.

ESPN FC reported on Thursday that, despite his winner against Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup, his feelings on his Camp Nou future remain unaltered; he wants regular football, and the Red Devils are ready to meet these demands.

What’s more, Louis van Gaal, the United manager, remained typically coy on a move for the 27-year-old, but hinted that negotiations could be taking place.

“You have to ask Pedro, not me. My answer is it’s a process, it’s a club, it’s a player, and we are there also,” he began, as quoted by Sky Sports.

“I don’t mention anything until he has signed. When he has signed I come to you and say ‘hey, Pedro is here’. That is still not the case. We shall wait and see.”

Pedro could be the missing piece of the puzzle that United need to beat reigning champions Chelsea, as well as rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, to the Premier League title.

SEE MORE:
Manchester United transfer gossip
Manchester United to revamp attack by signing £129m quartet, including Di Maria replacement & Arsenal targets
Manchester United duo surely set to leave after Louis van Gaal fall-out

In terms of how Pedro could fit into van Gaal’s line up, while Angel Di Maria sealed a £44.3m move to Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of August, there still remains plenty of competition for places on the flanks from Ashley Young, Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata.

However, in United’s opening game of the season Depay started in the No.10 position behind Wayne Rooney, while Mata was handed a start on the right wing.

It will likely be a head-to-head battle for a position between Pedro and Young – who signed a new contract that will keep him in Manchester until June 2018 – and the Spain international will surely become first-choice upon his arrival.

Pedro saw his playing time limited last season, as Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi quickly became Luis Enrique’s first-choice trio in attack, and he looks set to suffer the same misfortune if he continues his career with Barca this term.

Nonetheless, despite his limited appearances, six goals and six assists in just 1531 minutes of action – the lowest of any regular senior player for the Catalan giants – was an excellent return from the 28-year-old in the previous campaign.

His explosive pace and creativity have regularly been on show in pre-season, and his clinical match-winning finishing was on show earlier this week in the Super Cup.

His performances this summer have suggested that he has little desire to sulk over his limited playing time at the Camp Nou.

The Daily Mail report that Pedro has a £22m release-clause, and compared to the £59.7m [via BBC Sport] shelled out for Di Maria – who possessed all the credentials to become their galactico a year ago – Pedro could prove a steal this summer.

SEE ALSO:
Best La Liga to Premier League transfers EVER

Van Gaal’s second summer window of heavy spending implies that the former Netherlands manager is concerned that his team is lacking that spark required to compete on the domestic and European stage.

Real Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona have Lionel Messi, Chelsea have Eden Hazard, Manchester City have Sergio Aguero, Arsenal have Alexis Sanchez; but who do Manchester United have?

At the moment they have no one to fill that sparkless void.

The Dutchman has previously voiced his frustration at not having a ‘galactico’ at United.

“We don’t have a good vision. We can use much more creativity,” he began, as quoted by The Guardian.

He even compared Young to Neymar to illustrate his views.

“Young had a fantastic season but he is not a Neymar and we have to compete with that kind of class.

“I’m thinking at that time, they have Hazard, he can always make goals, he can always make an action and decide a goal. Manchester City have Aguero, it’s the same type. Barcelona has Messi, Neymar and Suárez. We as Manchester United have to compete with these clubs. So we have to look also for that kind of players.”

Despite having signed Bayern Munich legend and World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, perhaps it is Pedro who is capable of satisfying van Gaal’s need for a player with the fresh hunger required to reassert the Red Devils’ place in the Champions League.

A player with a point to prove.

Messi, Suarez, Neymar trident to strengthen in second Barcelona season

Luis Enrique is very fortunate to have arguably the most spectacular attacking trident in over 115 years of Barcelona history at his disposal. While the Catalans' much-improved defensive stability also played a considerable part, it is clear that the historical Champions League, Liga and Copa del Rey treble achieved last season would have been impossible without difference-makers Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

Undoubtedly, Messi is the most talented footballer to ever wear the Barcelona shirt. His exquisite technique, mesmerising dribbling skills, unique peripheral vision when looking for passing options and cold-blooded attitude in front of goal make him the player every football fan on the planet dreams of having in their team.

The quadruple Ballon d'Or winner is, deservedly, the main reference up front at Barcelona. Having the freedom to roam around the team's final third in whichever way he sees fit enables him to identify, then exploit, spaces with ease, leaving rivals wondering if there is any point in spending countless hours in training trying to predict the diminutive Argentinean's movements.

One of the club's older players, the 28-year-old is handed the responsibility to lead his side to victory every time he steps onto the pitch. Some may argue this is thanks to the stability that comes from having played under the same footballing philosophy since joining La Masia back in 2000; others will say performing in front of the more supportive, loving Catalan fan base is also a factor.

However, the main reason why Messi excels at Barcelona week in, week out is his teammates' attitudes toward him. Having world-class stars such as Andres Iniesta, Neymar and Suarez all willing to put their egos aside and adapt their individual game to enhance their leader's impact makes all the difference.

While in a meet and greet session in Los Angeles during their preseason tour of the USA, a young fan approached Suarez and, while asking for an autograph, complimented him with a heartfelt "You are the best" message. The Uruguayan international, without hesitation, replied: "I'm not. Do you know who the best player is?" The smiles that followed once the kid replied "Yes, Messi" are a clear indication of the way everybody at the Camp Nou understands their role within the team.

Yet Messi's position at the very top of Barcelona's hierarchy certainly doesn't mean that his teammates simply sit back, relax and clap while the Rosario-born genius is at work. If the No. 10 is the hot favourite to win a record fifth Ballon d'Or it is precisely thanks to the invaluable support he continuously receives from those around him.

Suarez was, undoubtedly, the key man at Liverpool before completing his move to the Camp Nou. His impressive 31 goals in 33 league appearances for the Merseysiders not only granted him recognition as the English Premier League's Player of the Year in the 2013-14 season, but also enabled him to share the European Golden Boot trophy with Cristiano Ronaldo. His ability to occupy a rival's defence with his astute movement on and off the ball was the main reason why Barcelona were prepared to invest a massive €81 million to sign him.

Neymar already had 100 goals and a South American Player of the Year award for Santos by the time he turned 20. Unsurprisingly, the Brazilian teenager received numerous offers from virtually every major club on the planet as a result and the gifted forward could have very easily demanded No. 1 status from any prospective employers.

However, both Suarez and Neymar opted to join Barcelona despite being fully aware that Messi would retain his status as the club's superstar until the day he decides to retire.

Contrary to what many predicted, both South American heavyweights have in fact seen their careers boosted by their move to the Camp Nou.

Messi has been heavily involved in helping both Suarez and Neymar adapt to life in Catalunya at both professional and personal level. The atmosphere in the dressing room has certainly played a part, but the countless hours of quality time shared by players' families away from the spotlight has also created a bond is obvious at all times.

While Luis Enrique is not likely to admit it publicly, everyone is fully aware that Barcelona lack that crucial edge whenever Neymar and, especially, Messi are not included in the starting XI. Despite being the stand-out performer in the club's preseason games so far, Suarez has looked largely isolated upfront and is secretly counting the seconds until the MSN trident is reunited.

Thanks to the goals of Messi (58), Suarez (25) and Neymar (39), the Catalans' lethal frontline racked up a record 122 between them in the 2014-15 campaign, with a mind-blowing 80 of those coming after the winter break.

Considering the strong foundation which the three South American stars have built their professional and personal relationship upon, their incredibly successful partnership can only strengthen in their second season together at the Camp Nou. As long as they can remain healthy, humble and motivated, there is reason to believe the Catalans could very well be celebrating their second sextuple after the final whistle of the Club World Cup final in Japan on Dec. 20.

Messi, Mascherano, Alves and Neymar return to training

The South American foursome complete morning physicals followed by an afternoon workout

Lionel Messi,  Javier Mascherano, Dani Alves and Neymar Jr completed their first day of the 2015/16 preseason this afternoon at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The four players trained under the orders of assistant coaches Rafel Pol and Edu Pons.

All four players played in the Copa América immediately following Barça’s completion of last season’s historic Treble and were therefore left off the squad for the American Tour in order to get some much needed rest.

Only the two Brazilian players Alves and Neymar were scheduled to rejoin the team on Thursday, but the Argentinians Messi and Mascherano decided to come back before the 3 August return date they had originally planned on.

After their morning medicals, when they were also joined by goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, the South American foursome officially commenced preparations for the 2015/16 season.

They’ll train with the rest of the squad for the first time on Friday, when the full team is scheduled for a double session at 9.30am and 6.30pm CET. The 24 players who made the US trip had the day off on Thursday.

FC Barcelona News: Neymar Says He Is Not Competing With Lionel Messi

Neymar (R) said that he is not trying to compete with his FC Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi. (Photo : Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Brazilian superstar Neymar will likely end up among the Ballon d'Or finalists this year, but he insisted that he is not competing with FC Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

Neymar is being dubbed as the next Lionel Messi at Camp Nou, home to FC Barcelona, when the Argentine eventually calls it quits or moves to another club. The Brazilian talisman said that he is looking to carve his own path and is not necessarily trying to surpass what Messi has accomplished throughout the years.

"I don't want to surpass Messi," Neymar told Globo SporTV via ESPN. "I want to trace my own path by doing the things I have been doing, winning titles, reaching goals. I don't want to surpass anyone, I don't want to be better than anyone else. I only want to be the best that I can be."

Neymar, who has been playing alongside Messi since moving to Camp Nou in 2013, has had his share of battles with the Argentine superstar in international matches.

The 23-year-old Brazilian will face Messi again later this year when Brazil goes up against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup qualifier. Neymar will not play for Brazil against Chile and Venezuela due to suspension after receiving a red card during the Copa America, but he vowed to return strong against Argentina.

Neymar said that he is looking forward to playing against his FC Barcelona teammate. Still, he admitted that playing alongside Messi is better than competing with him.

"Messi is a big star. It is not a good thing to be playing against him, but not necessarily a bad thing either," Neymar said via Goal.com. "But I will do everything within my powers to win. It will be a tough game, but the truth is that all qualifiers will be tough."

Instead of worrying about his scheduled showdown with Messi in November, Neymar said he is focused on helping his team qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Neymar also added he is not worried about the pressure to succeed in the qualifiers after failing to bag the title at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and 2015 Copa America in Chile.

"I am not the type of person who lets the pressure get to him. I try to see it as my friend, I align with it to calm me down," Neymar said. "I know that it is a huge responsibility to be the captain, the No. 10, but I like it. I like the responsibility, the pressure and I like playing football."

Neymar Targets Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Ballon d'Or Dream

Barcelona forward Neymar doesn't expect to beat Lionel Messior Cristiano Ronaldo to the 2015 Ballon d'Or, but he would be proud to join the two iconic stars on FIFA's shortlist.

The Brazilian favourite played a key role in Barca's treble-winning campaign and is likely to receive plenty of votes when the award is dished out at the beginning of next year. However, he isn't expecting to usurp Messi or Ronaldo—who have won four and three awards respectively over the past seven years—and is just happy to be in the conversation, as he told TV Globo (h/t Richard Arrowsmith of the MailOnline):

"Just being one of the three finalists would be a great achievement for me," said Neymar. "It would be a dream to find myself up there next to Messi and Cristiano. It would be a great honour."

Neymar has established a fantastic relationship with Messi and Luis Suarez at the Camp Nou, a front three who already rank among the best ever.

He is grateful toward Messi, a player many expected he would clash with when arriving from Santos in 2013, per Arrowsmith: "They said that we would fight and that he would not pass me the ball. But he welcomed me in an incredible way and, still today, who gives me more assistance in my career? For me, Leo is both a friend and an idol."

Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar's agent, recently told Vanessa Rodrigues of Goal.com that his client will win the greatest individual prize in football soon: "This year Neymar will feature among the three best players in the world. The award will then come naturally after that, perhaps this year or in 2016."

Neymar netted 39 goals across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season. He is an improving force, someone who has worked hard to fit in with Barcelona's expectations without sacrificing the natural craft of his game. The 23-year-old plays unselfish football like everyone else at the Camp Nou and has quickly hushed the doubters who saw a one-man team during his time at Santos.

The Ballon d'Or forces voters to consider both club and international form, though, which is where Neymar's chances begin to falter. His red card during the Copa America defeat to Colombia doesn't hold up against Messi, who led Argentina to the tournament's final without breaking sweat.

Neymar has played some excellent football for Brazil since the turn of the year—his goal and assist during the recent win over Peru standing out as a highlight—but he's still growing into the captain's role.

Although Ronaldo and Real Madrid failed to win any of the three main trophies, CR7 took the Golden Shoe prize with 48 goals in La Liga alone. This will always see him receive plenty of votes, but heading into the new season, Messi is currently the 1-9 favourite with Oddschecker.

The Argentinian still has numerous years of quality ahead of him at the age of 28. Ronaldo is heading toward his 31st birthday and can be expected to slow down before Messi. Neymar's dominance will most likely follow both players exiting the European game, either through retirement or to embark on a swansong elsewhere.

He is more than capable of winning the prize, but like so many born in the Messi/Ronaldo era, will have to wait his turn.

Neymar says Lionel Messi better as teammate than rival

Brazil striker Neymar said he prefers to be lined up alongside Lionel Messi rather than against him.

Brazil striker Neymar said he prefers to be lined up alongside Lionel Messi rather than against him, but "will do everything it takes to win" when the two meet as Brazil and Argentina face off in the third CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifying fixture.

Five-time champions Brazil will open their World Cup qualifying campaign away against Copa America holders Chile, followed by Venezuela in October, but Neymar will miss both matches while he serves out his 2015 Copa America ban. He will return to action vs. Argentina in November. 

"Messi is a great player, playing against him is not good, it is bad," Neymar told Globo's SporTV on Sunday. "Qualifying is going to be close, the national teams are very well prepared. I think we have to be very attentive, train well and concentrate on getting Brazil qualified."

Neymar, who teamed up with Messi for Barcelona to win La Liga and Champions League, said he is confident he can be among the Ballon d'Or finalists. However, he said his goal is not to surpass his Argentine teammate.

"I don't want to surpass Messi. I want to trace my own path by doing the things I have been doing, winning titles, reaching goals," Neymar said. "I don't want to surpass anyone, I don't want to be better than anyone else. I only want to be the best that I can be."

Asked whether he feels pressure as Brazil has struggled at the 2014 World Cup and again at the 2015 Copa America, Neymar said he is making the pressure work for him instead of against him.

"I am not the type of person who lets the pressure get to him. I try to see it as my friend, I align with it to calm me down. I know that it is a huge responsibility to be the captain, the No. 10, but I like it," Neymar said. "I like the responsibility, the pressure and I like playing football."

The CONMEBOL nations will play 18 competitive fixtures over a two-year period with the top four teams qualifying automatically and the fifth-placed finisher facing a home and away playoff against the top Oceania confederation finisher.

Neymar admitted that CONMEBOL is a competitive region.

"I think we have become a bit stagnant and we are behind some of the teams from this region. The level of football talent is very even. Chile has a great team, they won the Copa America playing well, We have to learn from everything, not just Europe. Look at Chile, they are right here next to us."

Neymar: It would be an honour to make Ballon d'Or top three with Messi & Ronaldo

The Brazilian is in contention for the most prestigious individual accolade in football after playing a key role in Barcelona's treble triumph last term

Neymar insists that he would be happy just to be shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or, admitting that he would be honoured to share a podium with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Brazil international is a major contender for the 2016 award, after playing a key role in Barcelona's treble triumph, with the 23-year-old most notably scoring in every single Champions League game the Catalans played from the quarter-finals on.

However, he has downplayed his chances of becoming the first man other than Messi or Ronaldo to lift the trophy since Kaka in 2007.

"Just being one of the three finalists would be a great achievement for me," Neymar told TV Globo.

"It would be a dream to find myself up there next to Messi and Cristiano. It would be a great honour."

Neymar, of course, plays alongside Messi at Barcelona and he has nothing but gratitude for the way in which the Argentine has helped him settle at Camp Nou, following his arrival from Santos in 2013.

"They said that we would fight and that he would not pass me the ball," the Selecao skipper stated.

"But he welcomed me in an incredible way and, still today, who gives me more assistance in my career?

"For me, Leo is both a friend and an idol."

Neymar's transfer to Barca has become the subject of a criminal investigation in Spain, with those involved in the deal accused of having hidden the true cost of the deal.

Sandro Rosell stood down as club president in order to focus on contesting charges of embezzlement, while his successor, Josep Maria Bartomeu, continues to be dogged by accusations that he was involved in the alleged financial irregularities.

Neymar's father is also under investigation in Brazil for tax evasion, given €40 million of the reported €57m deal was paid to a family-owned company. However, the striker insists that Neymar senior is completely innocent.

"My father has already clarified the situation many times but it seems that some people do not understand and the subject keeps coming up," he added.

"But this whole issue does not affect me on the field. In fact, when I go to play, it does not affect me at all,.

"But I just hope that my father will be left in peace."

Dunga wanted Neymar out

The four-match ban that was handed to Neymar is still the subject of much conversation in Brazil - above all because many couldn't understand why the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) didn't appeal. A CBF director has explained why and in doing so has added fuel to the already raging fire.
"They are tough moments in which a decision has to be made and only time will tell if it is the correct one or not. The coaches didn't hesitate for a moment and asked us not to appeal the sanction, as it was best that Neymar went", revealed Walter Feldman, general secretary of the CBF, when talking on Brazilian sports television programme, 'Esporte Espectacular'. The five-times world champions' premature crashing out of the tournament means that Neymar will not be able to take part in the first two games of the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers, although the CBF will now try and get CONMEBOL to agree on Neymar serving his remaining two match bans in the next Copa América.
"From now on, we will never pass on our right to appeal. Whatever the decision may be; it is our right", avowed the CBF general secretary.
Despite Brazil's disappointing performance in the Copa América, Fieldman declared himself in favour of Dunga continuing as the national team's manager. "Being knocked out in Chile, something all Brazilians are sorry about, does not seem to me sufficient reason to sack Dunga. We can't just make decisions based on results, The CBF's new strategy is to plan for the long term."

"Neymar could end up costing €222m"

Some interesting quotes came out of the presentation of the economic programme Joan Laporta would implement if he wins Barça's presidential elections.
Joan Oliver, whom Laporta plans to install as the club's CEO, explained that his aim is to increase Barcelona's income "by quite a bit more than 45% over five years", in reference to the growth achieved on Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu's watch. However, he warned that it would be impossible to repeat the feat of Laporta's first stint at the helm, "in which revenue was tripled".
According to Oliver, it will be difficult to make substantially more money through TV rights or ticket sales. On the other hand, he pinpointed sponsorship as a potential major growth area, mainly in terms of kit deals.
On this note, Oliver mooted two options: for UNICEF to be emblazoned on the front of the shirt again but for another company to fund this to the tune of €30 million, or to search for another commercial sponsor to replace Qatar, which he believes could net Barça up to €70m a year.
Oliver also spoke with some concern about the Neymar-gate saga, stating that the club could keep counting the costs for some time yet: "I think that when you look at the financial prospects for the coming years, there is one question mark: how much Neymar's final price will be. So far it is €100m, but with the legal proceedings that are ongoing, it could rise by €122m in pecuniary liabilities. Neymar could end up costing €222m".

The Dynamic Duo of Michael Jordan ... and Neymar?

Recently, the greatest player in basketball history met the one of the best players in the entire world on the pitch … and it was awesome.

Yes, Michael Jordan is more than the hilarious crying memes that you see of him on social media. Jordan was actually a pretty good player in his time, winning six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls and cemented himself as the greatest basketball player of all-time during his 15 NBA seasons.

So of course, when basketball’s GOAT (greatest of all-time) meets a potential candidate for soccer’s GOAT, it’s going to make headlines.

On Saturday, the 23-year-old Brazilian superstar was in Las Vegas for UFC 189, where Conor McGregor was set to face off against Chad Mendes in the main event of the pay-per-view event.

During his time in Sin City, Neymar ran into Jordan, and the two took a selfie together after meeting one another.


Michael Jordan and Neymar

Simply put, there’s a lot of titles and pure greatness in this shot. The caption by Neymar can be translated to, “Dream come true knowing this guy…”

Along with meeting the former Bulls great, Neymar met up with a couple other NBA stars during his time in Vegas, in Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza and NBA MVP runner-up James Harden.

Sure, Neymar taking a picture with another sport star isn’t breaking news, but it’s freakin’ awesome. Neymar’s the heir apparent to the “face of FC Barcelona” role once Lionel Messi‘s time on the pitch ends, and Jordan still remains one of the biggest names in all of sports, even 12 years after his second retirement.

Heroes of heroes: Neymar meets Michael Jordan

Some of the Barça squad have had photographs taken with sportsmen they admire during their holidays 

• 
  Neymar Jr and Rafinha this summer / FCB

 Neymar has stirred up tremendous interest on social media thanks to a photograph of himself with Michael Jordan. The Barça striker finds himself in Las Vegas on holiday and by sheer fortune, he found himself staying in the same hotel as the greatest basketball player of all time. The two had not previously met and Neymar wrote that for him it was “a dream come true.”

On arriving in the USA Neymar had also made the headlines by posting another photo of himself with two current NBA stars, Trevor Ariza and James Harden of the Houston Rockets.

The Brazilian has not limited himself to bumping into stars of basketball. During his holidays in the US he will take the opportunity to see the fight between José Aldo Junior and Conor McGregor in Las Vegas.

Another member of the Barça squad took the chance to get to know a well known face from the world of boxing. Rafinha was in the United States also where he took a photo of himself with legend of the ring Floyd Mayweather, five time world champion at five different weights.

 

Neymar

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Portuguese pronunciation: [nejˈmaʁ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈsɐ̃tus ˈʒũɲoʁ]; born 5 February 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Brazil national teamas a forward or winger. He serves as the captain of the Brazil national team.

At the age of 19, Neymar won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award, after coming third in 2010.^[5] He followed this up by winning it again in 2012. In 2011 Neymar received nominations for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, where he came 10th, and the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year, which he won.^[6] He is known for his acceleration, dribbling skills, finishing and ability with both feet. His playing style has earned him critical acclaim, with fans, media and former players drawing comparison to former Brazil forward Pelé, who has called Neymar "an excellent player", while Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have stated "he will be the best in the world".^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

Neymar joined Santos in 2003 and, after rising through the ranks, was promoted to their first team squad. He made his debut for Santos in 2009 and was voted the Best Young Player of the 2009 Campeonato Paulista. Further awards followed, with Neymar being voted best player as Santos won the 2010 Campeonato Paulista, and also being top scorer in the 2010 Copa do Brasil with 11 goals. He finished the 2010 season with 42 goals in 60 games, as his club achieved the Double. Neymar was again voted best player of the year in 2011 as Santos retained the state title and also won the 2011 Copa Libertadores in which Neymar scored six goals in 13 appearances. He also played a key role in securing a Continental Double, Santos' first since 1963. Neymar received the Bronze Ball in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, with Santos reaching the final, where they were defeated 4–0 by Barcelona.^[12]

Neymar has represented Brazil at Under-17, Under-20 and senior levels. On 10 August 2010, at the age of 18, he made his debut for the Seleção in a friendly match against the United States; he scored from a header in the 28th minute, contributing to Brazil's 2–0 win. Neymar was the top scorer of the 2011 South American Youth Championship with nine goals, including two in the final, in the 6–0 win against Uruguay, helping Brazil to win their eleventh title in the competition. Neymar was selected as part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup on home soil. For the tournament he was assigned the iconic number 10shirt. On 30 June, Neymar scored Brazil's second goal in the 3–0 final win over Spain. Neymar's performances saw him awarded thegolden ball for the best player of the tournament.^[13] At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Neymar scored four goals before he suffered a fractured vertebra in his spine in the quarter-finals and missed the rest of the tournament. He received the Bronze Boot as the tournament's third top goalscorer, and was named in the World Cup All Star XI. Neymar captained Brazil at the 2015 Copa América, but in the group stage was given a suspension which ruled him out for the entire tournament.

With 44 goals in 63 matches for Brazil, Neymar is the fifth highest goalscorer for his national team.^[14] In 2012 and 2013, SportsPronamed him the most marketable athlete in the world.^[15] In December 2013 he was ranked by The Guardian as the sixth best player in the world.^[16]

Contents

  [hide] 

• 1 Early life
• 2 Club career
  • 2.1 Santos
    • 2.1.1 Youth
    • 2.1.2 2009 season
    • 2.1.3 2010 season
    • 2.1.4 2011 season
    • 2.1.5 2012 season
    • 2.1.6 2013 season
  • 2.2 Barcelona
    • 2.2.1 Transfer investigation
    • 2.2.2 2013–14 season
    • 2.2.3 2014–15 season
• 3 International career
  • 3.1 2011 Copa América
  • 3.2 2012 Summer Olympics and first hat-trick
  • 3.3 2013 Confederations Cup
  • 3.4 2014 World Cup
  • 3.5 2015 Copa América
• 4 Style of play
• 5 Outside football
  • 5.1 Personal life
  • 5.2 Wealth and sponsorships
  • 5.3 Media
  • 5.4 Music
• 6 Career statistics
  • 6.1 Club
  • 6.2 International
• 7 Honours
  • 7.1 Club
  • 7.2 International
  • 7.3 Individual
• 8 References
• 9 External links

Early life

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior was born in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, to Neymar Santos, Sr. and Nadine da Silva. He inherited his name from his father, who is a former footballer and became his son's advisor as Neymar's talents began to grow.^[17] Neymar comments on his father's role "My father has been by my side since I was little. He takes care of things, my finances and my family."^[18] Growing up, Neymar combined his love of futsal with street football.^[19]

In 2003, Neymar moved with his family to São Vicente, where he began playing for youth side Portuguesa Santista.^[20] Then, later in 2003, they moved to Santos, where Neymar joined Santos FC.^[21] With the success of his youth career and added income, the family bought their first property, a house next to the Vila Belmiro. Their quality of family life improved, as at age 15, Neymar was earning 10,000 reais per month and at 16, 125,000 reais per month. At 17, he signed a full professional contract, getting upgraded to the Santos first team and even receiving sponsorships.^[22]

Club career

Santos

Youth

Neymar began playing football at an early age and he was soon spotted by Santos FC who offered him a contract in 2003, where he was inducted into their youth academy, which has, in the past, produced Brazilian internationals like Coutinho, Clodoaldo, Diego, Elano and Alex. He also joined the likes of Pepe, Pelé and Robinho in starting out his career at the club, nicknamed Peixe.^[23] While in the youth academy, Neymar met Paulo Henrique Ganso, becoming good friends in the process. Aged 14, Neymar travelled to Spain to join the Real Madrid youth team, at the time when Real had stars like Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Roberto Carlos and Robinho.^[24]

2009 season

Neymar made his professional debut on 7 March 2009, despite being only 17 years old; he was brought on for the last thirty minutes, in a 2–1 win against Oeste.^[19] The following week he scored his first goal for Santos against Mogi Mirim. One month later, on 11 April, Neymar scored the decisive goal in a 2–1 win against Palmeiras in the 2009 Campeonato Paulista semi-final first leg.^[25] In the final, however, Santos suffered a 4–2 aggregate defeat to the Corinthians.^[26] In his first season, Neymar racked up 14 goals in 48 games.^[19]

2010 season

"The 18-year-old is a magnificent prospect. He is sleek and skilful, able to beat the defender on either side, capable of combining well, and full of tricks he can put to productive use in and around the penalty area."

—South American football journalist Tim Vickery on Neymar in 2010.^[27]

Neymar continued his ascendancy in 2010, and, on 15 April 2010, he scored five goals for Santos in an 8–1 rout of Guarani in the qualifying stages of the Brazilian Cup.^[28] Following the 2010 Campeonato Paulista in which Neymar scored 14 goals in 19 games,^[23] the club were crowned champions after a 5–5 aggregate win over Santo André in the finals.^[29] Neymar was subsequently given the award for the best player in the competition.^[30] Neymar's performances for Santos have drawn comparisons to other Brazilians, including Robinho and Brazilian legend Pelé.^[31]

In 2010, Santos rejected a £12 million bid for him from English Premier League team West Ham United,^[32] and later an offer from another English club Chelsea, reported to be in the region of £20 million.^[33] Despite Santos unwillingness to sell and Neymar himself insisting "I'm focused only on Santos",^[34] his agent, Wagner Ribeiro, indicated that Neymar’s career was elsewhere, stating "He wants to become the best player in the world. The chances of him doing that while playing in Brazil are zero."^[33] Although one year later Neymar admitted, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, that he had been happy with Chelsea's interest in him as it was a "dream" of his "to play in Europe", whilst also stating that at the time it had been the right decision to stay in Brazil.^[35]

On 30 November 2010, Santos sold a 5% share of future transfer fees that he would receive to an investment group, Terceira Estrela Investimentos S.A. (TEISA), for R$3,549,900 (€1.5 million).^[36] The previous year, his family had sold a 40% stake in Neymar's sporting rights to the DIS Esporte group who had been a long-term strategic partner of Santos' football club.^[37]

Despite his first two seasons being highly successful, having ended the 2010 season with an impressive 42 goals in 60 games, problems had been identified, namely Neymar's apparent taste for diving when tackled, rather than attempting to continue his run, and his attitude. The latter came to the forefront during a match with Goianiense, on 15 September 2010, when the Santos' manager, Dorival Júnior, appointed another player to take the penalty awarded for a foul on Neymar. His decision was based on the fact that Neymar had missed a crucial penalty during the Copa do Brasil final of that year, even if Santos went on to win. Reacting to this, Neymar turned his back on his manager, had to be calmed down by a linesman and argued with his captain, Edu Dracena. The fallout from this event was that Dorival Junior wished to have Neymar suspended for two weeks, but the board sided with the player and promptly sacked the manager. Despite Neymar's apologies over the incident, some doubts still remain about his attitude.^[19] In December 2010, aged just 18, Neymar came third for the 2010 South American Footballer of the Year, behind Andrés D'Alessandro and Juan Sebastián Verón.^[38]

2011 season

Neymar playing for Santos against future club FC Barcelona in the final of the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.

Neymar scored six goals during Santos run to the 2011 Copa Libertadores Finals, tying him for third top goalscorer,^[39] including the clinching goal of Santos' 4–3 aggregate win over Cerro Porteño in the semifinals.^[40] In the two-legged final, Santos faced Uruguayan sidePeñarol and drew the first leg 0–0 in Montevideo.^[41] At home in the second leg, Neymar opened the scoring in the 46th minute as Santos held on for a 2–1 win and Neymar won Man of the Match honours.^[42][43] The win brought Santos their first Copa Libertadores triumph since 1963, when Brazilian legend Pelé was playing for the club.^[44][45]

In September 2011, Santos president Luis Ribeiro threatened to report Real Madrid to FIFA following reports that they had attempted to sign Neymar to a pre-contract agreement and denied that such an agreement was in place.^[46] On 9 November 2011, Neymar and Santos agreed to a contract extension that would see the player stay with the club until after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The deal reportedly increased Neymar's wages by 50%, to the levels that top European clubs would be paying him.^[47] On 14 December 2011, Neymar scored the opening goal for Santos as they defeated Kashiwa Reysol 3–1 in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup at the Toyota Stadium inToyota, Japan, but failed to score against Barcelona in the final on 18 December 2011, where Santos were defeated 4–0, finishing as runners up in the competition.^[48] He won the 2011 FIFA Puskás Award for scoring a sensational solo goal in the Brasileirão Série Aagainst Flamengo, in a 5–4 loss. On 31 December 2011, he won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award for the first time, by a record margin, following in the footsteps of Diego Maradona, Romário, Pelé and Zico.^[49]

2012 season

On 5 February 2012, when he turned 20, he scored his 100th goal as a professional football player, against Palmeiras in the Campeonato Paulista.^[50][51] On 25 February 2012, Neymar scored two goals, one of whom from 25-yards and assisted with two, to help his side to a 6–1 win over Ponte Preta.^[52] On 7 March 2012, Neymar netted a hat-trick as Santos saw off Brazilian rivals Internacional 3–1 in the Copa Libertadores Group stage match.^[53] On 29 March, he scored a brace against Guaratinguetá in a 5–0 victory.^[54] In the fixture against São Paulo on 29 April 2012, Neymar scored a hat-trick with the match ending 3–1.^[55] Thereafter, he went on to score twice in the 1st^[56] and 2nd legs^[57] in the2012 Campeonato Paulista Finals against Guarani, which ended 7–2 on aggregate. Neymar finished the 2012 Campeonato Paulista with 20 goals and was voted the Best player and Best Forward, and Santos were crowned champions. He was joint top scorer in the Copa Libertadores with 8 goals, after Santos were beaten over two legs by eventual champions Corinthians in the semi-finals.

On 25 August 2012, he scored a brace in the 2–1 away win at Palmeiras.^[58] On 3 November 2012, in the Brasileiro Série A away fixture at Cruzeiro, Neymar scored a hat-trick and assisted Felipe Anderson's goal, to help his side to a 4–0 win.^[59] Neymar finished off the 2012 season in style, first setting-up Victor Andrade's equaliser, then scoring twice, to give Santos a 3–1 home win over Palmeiras on 1 December 2012.^[60] Neymar was voted the Best player of the 2012 Recopa Sudamericana, Neymar scoring in the second leg to win the title 2–0 on aggregate. He finished the 2012 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A with 14 goals and being voted the Best forward. Neymar finished the 2012 season, being award the Golden Ball, Arthur Friedenreich Award and Armando Nogueira Trophy. He was one of three finalists in the 2012 FIFA Puskás Award and finished runners-up behindMiroslav Stoch. He won the 2012 South American Footballer of the Year, retaining his award and winning it ahead of the likes of Ronaldinho. Reports emerged in 2011 that Santos reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign him at a later stage. However, Neymar rejected this in an interview, saying that he had "no agreement with Barcelona or anyone else".^[61]

2013 season

Neymar started the 2013 Campeonato Paulista scoring twice in the first match, which ended a 3–1 win over São Bernardo on 19 January 2013.^[62] Four days later on 23 January 2013, Neymar scored again against Botafogo in a 3–0 win.^[63] On 3 February 2013, in the Paulista fixture against São Paulo, where Santos won 3–1, with Neymar scoring and making two assists.^[64] on 18 March 2013, Neymar told that he had a "dream of playing in Europe, for a big club like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea." But he went on to say: "There's no point in speculating when I'll leave Santos. I'll leave when I want to."^[65]

Neymar scored all four goals, had another disallowed and hit the post as Santos beat União Barbarense 4–0 in the Paulista on 13 April.^[66] On 25 April 2013, his agent and father revealed that Neymar intended to leave for Europe before the 2014 FIFA World Cup.^[67] Ahead of his last match for Santos, on 26 May against Flamengo, Neymar was in tears during the national anthem.^[68]

Barcelona

See also: Transfer (association football) § 2013: Transfer of Neymar from Santos to Barcelona

Neymar during his unveiling at Barcelona in June 2013.

On 24 May 2013, Santos announced that they had received two offers for Neymar.^[69] The following day, Neymar announced he would sign with FC Barcelona on 27 May 2013 and join the team after playing in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Neither Neymar nor the clubs released details on the transfer fee or personal terms, except to say he signed a five-year deal.^[70] On 3 June 2013, Neymar was unveiled by Barcelona after passing medical tests and signing a contract that would keep him at the club through June 2018.^[71]

Neymar was presented at the Camp Nou in front of 56,500 fans, a record turnout for a Brazilian player.^[72] Club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Neymar's transfer fee was €57.1 million (making him the 15th overall highest transfer) and his release clause was set at €190 million.^[73][74] Barcelona's doctor suggested he might need to gain weight to be able to cope physically in Spanish football.^[75]

Transfer investigation

The prosecutor's office in Madrid is investigating the transfer fee that Barcelona paid for Neymar.^[76] The documents submitted to the authorities on request contained contradictory information.^[76] The reported transfer fee was €57 million,^[76] but €40 million "supposedly...flowed to a company which is close to Neymar family."^[76] This is what "justifies an investigation into whether the allegations are true."^[76] Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is accused of being "in connection with the transfer of embezzlement."^[76]

2013–14 season

On 30 July 2013, Barcelona drew 2–2 against Lechia Gdańsk in a preseason friendly; this was Neymar's unofficial debut when he came on as a substitute.^[77] He scored his first goal for the club in a 7–1 win against a Thailand XI on 7 August.^[78]

Neymar made his competitive debut for Barcelona during the opening game of the 2013–14 La Liga season as a 63rd-minute substitute for Alexis Sánchez in a 7–0 win against Levante UD.^[79] On 21 August, he scored his first competitive goal for the club in the first leg of the 2013 Supercopa de España againstAtlético Madrid: seven minutes after coming on as a substitute for Pedro, he headed Dani Alves' cross to equalise in a 1–1 draw at the Vicente Calderón Stadium as Barcelona won on the away goals rule for his first trophy at the club.^[80] On 18 September, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, assisting a Gerard Piqué goal as Barça beat AFC Ajax 4–0 in their opening match of the 2013–14 tournament.^[81]

Six days later, Neymar scored his first goal in La Liga in Barcelona's 4–1 defeat of Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.^[82] On 26 October he made his first El Clásico appearance, scoring the opening goal and assisting the team's winning goal scored by Sánchez as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2–1 at Camp Nou.^[83][83] On 11 December, Neymar recorded his first three Champions League goals as he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 win over Celtic in Barcelona's final Group H match.^[84]

2014–15 season

Neymar playing against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League quarter finals

On 13 September 2014, after appearing as a substitute, Neymar scored his first two goals of the 2014–15 season, helping Barcelona beatAthletic Bilbao 2–0. On 27 September, he scored a hat-trick against Granada in a 6–0 win^[85] and went on to score in his next three La Liga matches, including the opening goal in a 1–3 loss to Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.^[86]

On 24 January 2015, Neymar scored twice and assisted two more goals in a 6–0 win at Elche.^[87] On 28 January, he scored his 20th goal of the season in a 3–2 Copa del Rey quarter-final win over Atlético de Madrid.^[88] On 4 March, Neymar scored twice in Barcelona's 3–1 Copa del Rey semi-final win over Villarreal to qualify the club for its 37th Spanish Cup final.^[89] On 21 April, Neymar took his tally to 30 goals for the season by scoring twice in Barcelona's 2–0 Champions League quarter-final win over Paris Saint-Germain to qualify the club for the semi-finals.^[90]

In May, the closing month of the season, Neymar scored the last goal in a 3–0 win against FC Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.^[91] A week later, he scored both the team's goals in a 3–2 second leg defeat at the Allianz Arena to ensureBarça would qualify for the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final.^[92] He also opened the scoring with a header in a 2–0 league win versusReal Sociedad, a result which gave Barça a four point lead over Real Madrid with only two matches remaining.^[93] After securing theleague title on 17 May with a 1–0 win over Atlético de Madrid at the Estadio Vicente Calderón, Barcelona defeated Athletic Club 3–1 at Camp Nou in the 2015 Copa del Rey Final on 30 May, with Neymar scoring the second goal for Barça.^[94] With Barcelona's victory likely, he performed tricks with the ball in the final stages of the game, which was deemed unsporting by opponent Andoni Iraola. Barcelona manager Luis Enrique claimed that it had to be understood that such behaviour was acceptable in Brazil, while Neymar himself did not apologise.^[95]

On 6 June 2015, Neymar scored the third goal for Barça in the 3–1 UEFA Champions League Final defeat of Italian champions Juventusat Berlin's Olympiastadion, ensuring the club won its fifth European Cup.^[96] This made FC Barcelona the first club in history to win the treble of domestic league, domestic cup and European Cup twice.^[97] On a personal note, he became the eighth player in football's history to win both the Copa Libertadores and the UEFA Champions League, and the first player to score in final victories in both competitions.^[98]

Neymar ended the season with 39 goals in all competitions and 10 in the Champions League, making him joint highest scorer with Cristiano Ronaldo and teammate Lionel Messiin the latter competition.^[99] The forward line of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suárez ended with 122 goals, the highest for a season by a Spanish team.^[100]

International career

Neymar at a press conference forBrazil.

Following Neymar's performances for Brazil's U-17 team at the 2009 U-17 World Cup in which he scored a goal in the opening match against Japan,^[101] former Brazilian football players Pelé and Romário reportedly urged coach Dunga to take Neymar to the 2010 World Cup.^[34][102] Although the widespread opinion that Neymar deserved a place in Dunga's squad went as far as a 14,000 signature petition,^[34][103] and despite the huge pressure on Dunga to pick Neymar,^[104] he was omitted from both the squad of 23,^[105][106] and the stand-by list.^[107] Although Dunga described Neymar as "extremely talented", he claimed that he had not been tested sufficiently on the international level to earn a World Cup spot and he had failed to impress enough while on international duty.^[108][109]

Neymar celebrates his goal forBrazil against Scotland, on 27 March 2011, with André Santos and Ramires.

On 26 July 2010, Neymar was selected for the first time in the Brazil senior team by new head coach Mano Menezes for a friendly match against the United States to be played in East Rutherford, New Jersey. On 10 August 2010 he made his debut with the national team in that game, aged 18 years old, starting the match and wearing the number 11 jersey. He scored on his debut after 28 minutes, a header coming from an André Santos cross in a 2–0 win for Brazil.^[110] On 1 March 2011, Neymar said: "Being on the Brazilian team is a privilege, There are some marvelous players and I'm very happy to be among them."^[18] On 27 March 2011, he scored twice in a 2–0 win against Scotland at the Emirates Stadium.^[111] During the match against Scotland, a banana was thrown onto the pitch after he scored from the penalty spot, which led Neymar to complain about 'constant jeering and an atmosphere of racism', implying that Scottish fans exhibited racism.^[112][113] While Scottish officials explained that Neymar had been booed solely for perceived injury-feigning, a German student who was in the stadium amongst Brazil supporters said that he threw the banana with no racist intentions. This led to the Scottish Football Association asking the Brazilian Football Confederation for an apology for the accusations made to theScottish fans.^[114][115] Neymar refused to apologize or retract his words claiming he 'did not accuse any person or any group of supporters'.^{[116][117][118]}

2011 Copa América

Neymar took part at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina, where he scored two goals in the first round game against Ecuador. He was selected 'Man of the Match' in Brazil's first match against Venezuela, which ended a 1–1 draw. Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals in a penalty shoot-out against Paraguay (2–2 a.e.t.), with Neymar being substituted in the 80th minute.

2012 Summer Olympics and first hat-trick

Neymar preparing to take a free-kick against Belarus at Old Trafford during the 2012 Summer Olympics

On 11 May 2012, Neymar was selected for the squad of the Brazil Olympic football team to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.^[119][120] In Brazil's first warm-up match on 20 July 2012, against the host nation Great Britain at Riverside Stadium, Neymar was involved in both goals of a 2–0 win, first making an assist with a free-kick into the six-yard box for Sandro's header, before converting a penalty.^[121]

On 26 July 2012, Neymar scored his first goal of the 2012 Summer Olympics in Brazil's opening fixture against Egypt, which ended a 3–2 victory for Brazil.^[122] In the following match against Belarus at Old Trafford in Manchester, Neymar scored a free-kick from 25-yards into the top-right corner of the goal and set up goals for Alexandre Pato's header with a cross from the right and Oscar with a back heel as Brazil secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 3–1 win. Afterwards he said: "I scored and made two assists so for me it was perfect".^[123][124]

On 5 August 2012, in the quarter-final encounter against Honduras, Neymar scored a penalty, his third goal of the tournament and assisted in Leandro Damião's second goal on the match, to help Brazil to a 3–2 victory at St James' Park and book a place in the semi-finals.^[125] On 11 August, Brazil lost 2-1 to Mexico in the final at Wembley Stadium in London.^[126]

Neymar scored his first full international hat-trick on 10 September 2012, in an 8–0 win over China at the Estádio José do Rego Maciel in Recife.^[127] On 19 September, Neymar scored the winner against Argentina in a 2–1 win in the first leg of the 2012 Superclásico de las Américas at the Estádio Serra Dourada in Goiânia, Brazil.^[128]

2013 Confederations Cup

Neymar playing against Spain'sGerard Piqué in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Final

Neymar was selected as part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup on home soil. For the tournament he was assigned the iconic number 10 shirt, having previously worn 11.^[129]

Neymar scored the first goal of the tournament in a 3–0 win over Japan at the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha on 15 June.^[130] In their second match, Neymar scored after nine minutes and crossed for Jô's late goal to give Brazil a 2–0 win over Mexico.^[131] He scored in his third consecutive match, with a powerful free kick from the edge of the penalty area, as Brazil beat Italy 4–2, and received his third consecutive man-of-the-match award.^[132][133]

On 30 June, Neymar scored Brazil's second goal in the 3–0 final victory over Spain. Neymar's performances saw him receive the Golden Ball for player of the tournament.^[13]

2014 World Cup

Neymar prepares to take a free kick during Brazil's opening match of the2014 FIFA World Cup against Croatia.

On 5 March 2014, Neymar scored a hat-trick in a friendly win against South Africa inJohannesburg. He made headlines for his conduct after the final whistle when a young South African boy ran onto the pitch. As security staff began to escort the boy from the field, Neymar intervened and introduced him to his Brazil team-mates before they all lifted him in the air during their celebrations.^[134][135]

On 2 June, Neymar was named to participate with Team Brazil in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.^[136] Going into the tournament, as the team's star player, Neymar was the man expected to win Brazil its sixth World Cup on home soil.^[137] One week prior to the team's opening match, Neymar scored once and made two assists in a 4–0 friendly win over Panama.^[138]

Neymar evading a tackle againstMexico at the 2014 World Cup

Neymar earned his 50th international cap in the opening match of the tournament, on 12 June against Croatia in São Paulo. In the 26th minute, with Croatia leading 1–0, Neymar elbowed Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić, after which Neymar was issued a yellow card.^[139] Many critics agreed that Neymar's punishment was too lenient and that he should have been issued a red card.^{[140][141][142]} He equalised before half-time with a shot from outside the box and gave Brazil the lead in the second half with a penalty kick, following a controversial decision by the referee, in an eventual 3–1 win.^[143] In the third group match, he again scored twice as the Seleção defeated Cameroon 4–1 to reach the knockout stage.^[144] In the round of 16 against Chile, the match finished 1–1 after 120 minutes and was decided by a penalty shoot-out with Neymar scoring what proved to be the winning kick for Brazil.^[145]

"Even though he is still young, Neymar is well aware of what he means for the world of football and for the Brazilian game in particular. He is the one player the Brazilian people believe in and he has everything to make history. I think because of his age, though he still has others to topple, Neymar will become top goalscorer in Brazil's history, surpassing Pelé. It wouldn't hurt if he leapfrogged me in the list. I left my mark on history and now it's his turn."

—Brazil legend Romário in 2014 on the prospect of Neymar becoming Brazil's all time record goalscorer.^[146]

In the quarter-final defeat of Colombia, while challenging for the ball, Neymar was kneed in the back by Juan Camilo Zúñiga and had to be removed from the pitch on a stretcher. A hospital scan revealed that Neymar had suffered a fractured vertebra in his spine and he missed the rest of the World Cup.^[147] Earlier in the match, Neymar assisted Thiago Silva's opening goal with a cross from a corner kick.^[148] It was the second time in the tournament that a Neymar corner had led to a goal for Brazil, after his cross created David Luiz's goal in the previous round against Chile.^[145]

On 11 July, Neymar was named on the 10-man shortlist for FIFA's Golden Ball award for the tournament's best player.^[149]He won the Bronze Boot as the tournament's third top goalscorer and was named in the World Cup All Star XI.^[150]

2015 Copa América

With captain Thiago Silva ruled out through injury, new coach Dunga decided to make Neymar captain and confirmed on 5 September that the forward would stay on as skipper on a permanent basis.^[151] On 14 October 2014, Neymar scored four goals in one game for the first time in his international career, scoring all of Brazil's goals in 4–0 friendly win against Japan at the National Stadium, Singapore.^[152] At just 22-years old, Neymar had scored 40 goals in 58 internationals, and had become the fifth highest goalscorer for his national team.^[14][152] On 26 March 2015, Neymar scored Brazil's second goal in a 3–1 friendly win over Francein Paris.^[153]

On 14 June 2015, in Brazil's opening Copa América fixture, Neymar scored the equaliser and assisted the stoppage-time winning goal by Douglas Costa as Brazil came from 0–1 down to beat Peru 2–1 in Temuco.^[154] After Brazil's second match, a 0–1 loss to Colombia in Santiago, Neymar was booked for handball, resulting in a suspension. After the final whistle, he was red carded for deliberately kicking the ball at Pablo Armero, and as a result was pushed over by Colombian striker Carlos Bacca, who was also dismissed.^[155]CONMEBOL issued Neymar with a four-match ban, ruling him out for the remainder of the tournament, in addition to a $10,000 fine.^[156]

Style of play

Neymar with future teammate Lionel Messi after the final of the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup.

Neymar primarily plays as either a central striker, second striker, winger or occasionally as an attacking midfielder, and has been described as "a true phenomenon".^[157][158] He often plays as a left sided forward for both club and country in the team's 4–3–3 formation, drifting infield, due to his energetic pace and playmaking skills; this position allows him to shoot with his stronger foot, or create chances for team-mates.^[158] Neymar'sdribbling skills and playmaking ability are reminiscent of compatriot Ronaldinho. His common traits are his creativity, passing, finishing, dribbling,feints and technique, being described as both "electric" and "explosive".^[159] Although naturally right-footed, he is capable of scoring with both feet, as well as with his head, and is an accurate free-kick taker.^[160][158] He commented on his attributes saying: "I'm always trying to perfect everything – dribbling, shooting, headers and control. You can always improve".^[18] Neymar stated that he has been inspired by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Wayne Rooney.^[161]

Neymar, playing for Brazil in 2011, has been compared to compatriots Pelé andRonaldinho.

The media have often drawn comparisons between Neymar and Brazilian Legend Pelé,^[160] as Neymar possesses similar attributes and also like Pelé came from the Santos Youth Academy and turned heads with his skill. Neymar has said that Pelé is his "role model" but also saying: "I don't like to make comparison with Pelé".^[162] On 11 April 2012, during the celebrations for the 100 years of Santos, when asked by journalists about Lionel Messi, Pelé said he felt that Neymar was better: "Now everyone is talking about Messi; he is a star. But [to be the best ever] he must first become better than Neymar," Pelé said. "At the moment Messi is just more experienced."^[163]

Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho had also tipped Neymar on becoming the best player in the world: “Neymar is young though, and I can't explain how special he will become. In the next two or three seasons he will become the best player."^[164] Another Brazilian star, retired World Cup winnerRonaldo also believes that Neymar can become the best in the world: "Logically, Messi is better right now but Neymar is a great talent who will show the world that he will be number one".^[165] Former Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano has also praised Neymar, stating: "I like Neymar a lot. Many of his individual actions result in a goal and often it's a move that only seems to be happening with him on the pitch."^[166] FC Barcelona star Xavi also stated that Neymar "is a great player, has a very good attitude, and will go on to be the best player in the world." ^[167]However, Neymar also has been known and criticised for his diving when tackled. For which Pelé has told: "He is a player with a body that can't take a lot of hits. [...] A lot of times he will fall because he can't do anything else, but he was overdoing it." He continued: "Even when he is fouled, he can't make a spectacle out of it".^[168]

Neymar's increasing reputation led both the media and former great players to draw comparisons between Neymar and FC Barcelona forwardLionel Messi, which Neymar has commented on saying: "Messi is above everyone, there is no use comparing me with him. [...] He is the best player in the world and I always get inspired when I watch good football."^[169] Ronaldo said: “Neymar is a great talent, the best we have in Brazil. He is very similar to Messi.” Zico said: “I see Neymar like a [Cristiano] Ronaldo or a Messi, the type who appears and makes things happen.”^[170] After his hat-trick against Internacional 3–1 in Copa Libertadores and Messi's five goals scored in the Champions League, Neymar said: "I am a Messi fan. I was told what he did today. I support him to score a lot of nice goals so I can keep copying and imitating him."^[171]

Outside football

Personal life

Neymar (far left) with Lucas Moura(second from left), Ganso (far right) and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff after the draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Neymar became a father to a baby boy in August 2011 at age 19. The baby's mother is Carolina Dantas, but Neymar is not in a relationship with her. The baby, David Lucca, was born in São Paulo.^[172] Neymar was quoted as saying "I cried when I learned that I would be his father. At first, I felt fear. Then joy. It is a new responsibility and I am now enjoying it."^[173] He later described the birth of his baby boy as "2.8 kilograms of pure happiness" and also said "Mother and baby are in good condition just after childbirth".^[174][175]

Neymar is a Christian.^{[176][177][178]} Neymar has spoken about his faith saying, "Life only makes sense when our highest ideal is to serveChrist!"^[179] Neymar reportedly also tithes (10%) his income to his church and has named Kaká as his religious role model.^[180]

Wealth and sponsorships

Neymar has signed many sponsorships as his reputation rapidly grew from the age of 17. In March 2011, he signed an 11-year contract with American sportswear company Nike.^[181] In the same month, Panasonic paid US$2.4 million to secure Neymar's services for two years. Prior to signing for Barcelona, France Football had ranked Neymar 13th in its list of the world's richest players in 2012, with total earnings of $18.8 million for the previous 12 months.^[182][183] He has signed other sponsorships from Volkswagen, Tenys Pé Baruel, Lupo, Ambev, Claro, Unilever andSantander.^{[184][185][186][187]} All of his sponsorships have earned him a total of an estimated €20 million per year.^[22]

On 8 May 2013, Neymar was rated by SportsPro magazine as the most marketable athlete in the world, ahead of Lionel Messi (2nd) and Cristiano Ronaldo (8th).^[188] In November 2012 advertising agency Loducca, created Neymar's own personal brand logo,^[189] featuring the N, J and R (Neymar Junior) with the N styled to match Neymar’s shirt number 11.^[189] Neymar starred in a 2014 advert for Beats with other global football stars including Thierry Henry and Luis Suárez, with the theme of 'The Game Before The Game' and the players pre-game ritual of listening to music.^[190]

Media

Neymar at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jerseyduring a match between theNew York Red Bulls and theLos Angeles Galaxy

Neymar was featured on the front covers of the video gamesPro Evolution Soccer 2012 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 on the North American version, after Konami Digital Entertainment announced that he had joined Pro Evolution Soccer.^[191] Neymar joined Cristiano Ronaldo as a featured cover athlete.^[192][193]

Neymar appeared on the cover of Time magazine in February 2013, the first Brazilian athlete to be so honoured. The issue included an article byBobby Ghosh entitled "The Next Pelé" and subtitled "How the career of Brazilian football star Neymar explains his country's economy".^[194]

Controversy erupted because of a cover by Brazilian football magazine Placar that depicted Neymar on a cross. The title read "A Crucificação de Neymar" (the Crucifixion of Neymar) and subtitled: "the Brazilian ace turns scapegoat in a sport where everyone plays dirty".^[195]

In April 2013, Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa released a Monica's Gang comic book featuring a younger version of Neymar (called Neymar Jr) as the main character.^[196]

In May 2013, SportsPro magazine named Neymar as the most marketable athlete on the planet for the second consecutive year. He topped the list ahead of Lionel Messi, Rory McIlroy, Usain Bolt and Cristiano Ronaldo, among other sportspeople.^[15] The list measures the monetary value, the age, the force in domestic markets, the charisma and their market potential in the next three years.^[15] In March 2015, Neymar had the fourth highest social media rank in the world among sportspeople, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and David Beckham, with 52 million Facebook fans.^[197][198] To mark the World Cup commencing in Brazil, in June 2014, Neymar appeared with supermodel Gisele Bündchen on the front cover of Vogue's Brazilian edition.^[199]

In November 2014, Neymar appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign with a selection of top football players from around the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Xavi and African superstar Didier Drogba.^[200] Under the slogan "Together, we can beat Ebola", FIFA's campaign was done in conjunction with the Confederation of African Football and health experts, with the players holding up eleven messages to raise awareness of the disease and ways to combat it.^[200][201]

Music

Neymar has become an icon in promoting Brazilian modern pop music, particularly Música sertaneja. The video in which Neymar dances in the Santos locker room dancing in front of teammates and making them react to the tune of Michel Teló's hit "Ai se eu te pego!" carrying his recorder making the round of the players went viral. He made a point of performing his dance antics to the song after scoring goals in football games and appeared live with Teló in one of the latter's concerts. He also supported sertanejo singerGusttavo Lima performing live with Lima on renditions of the singer's hits "Balada" and "Fazer Beber". In 2012, he made cameo appearances in the music video for yet another sertanejo hit "Eu Quero Tchu, Eu Quero Tcha" by João Lucas & Marcelo. In 2013, Neymar appeared on a rap music video, "País do Futebol" from MC Guimê.^[202]

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 June 2015.^[203][204]

Club	Season	League		Cup		Continental		Intercontinental		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Brazil		Brasileirão		Copa do Brasil		Continental[205]		Club World Cup		Paulista		Total
Santos	2009	33	10	3	1	–		–		12	3	48	14
	2010	31	17	8	11	2[a]	0	–		19	14	60	42
	2011	21	13	–		13[b]	6	2	1	11	4	47	24
	2012	17	14	–		14[c]	9	–		16	20	47	43
	2013	1	0	4	1	–		–		18	12	23	13
	Total	103	54	15	13	29	15	2	1	76	53	225	136
Spain		La Liga		Copa del Rey		Europe		Club World Cup		Supercopa de España		Total
Barcelona	2013–14	26	9	3	1	10[d]	4	–		2	1	41	15
	2014–15	33	22	6	7	12[d]	10	–		–		51	39
	2015–16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	59	31	9	8	22	14	–		2	1	92	54
Career total		162	85	24	21	51	29	2	1	78	54	317	190

1. Jump up^ All appearances in Copa Sudamericana
2. Jump up^ All appearances in Copa Libertadores
3. Jump up^ Twelve appearances and 8 goals in Copa Libertadores, Two appearances and one goal in Recopa Sudamericana
4. ^ Jump up to:^a b All appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

As of 14 June 2015.^[206]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Brazil	2010	2	1
	2011	13	7
	2012	12	9
	2013	19	10
	2014	14	15
	2015	4	2
Total		64	44

Honours

Club

Santos^[207]

• Campeonato Paulista: 2010, 2011, 2012
• Copa do Brasil: 2010
• Copa Libertadores: 2011
• Recopa Sudamericana: 2012

Barcelona^[207]

• La Liga: 2014–15
• Copa del Rey: 2014–15
• Supercopa de España: 2013
• UEFA Champions League: 2014–15

International

Brazil^[207]

• South American Youth Championship: 2011
• Superclásico de las Américas: 2011, 2012, 2014
• Olympic Silver Medal: 2012
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2013

Individual

• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball : 2013

• Young Player of the Year : 2011

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Championship Squad : 2010, 2011, 2012

• Bola de Ouro : 2011

• Golden Boot (2): 2010, 2011, 2012 – Most goals in all competition in Brazil

• Copa do Brasil Top scorer : 2010

• South American Youth Championship Top scorer : 2011

• FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball : 2011

• South American Footballer of the Year (2): 2011, 2012

• FIFA Puskás Award : 2011

• Campeonato Paulista Top scorer (1): 2012

• Copa Libertadores Top scorer (1): 2012

• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball winner : 2013

• FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Shoe : 2013

• FIFA Confederations Cup Dream Team : 2013

• FIFA World Cup Bronze Boot : 2014

• FIFA World Cup Dream Team : 2014

• Golden Year Award: 2014.

• UEFA Champions League Top Goalscorer: 2015

• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2014–15^[208]

• Samba Gold: 2014.^[209]

• Neymar

  Neymar with Brazil in 2014
  Personal information
  Full name	Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior[1]
  Date of birth	5 February 1992 (age 23)[1]
  Place of birth	Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil[1]
  Height	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[note 1][4]
  Playing position	Forward / Winger
  Club information
  Current team	Barcelona
  Number	11
  Youth career
  1999–2003	Portuguesa Santista
  2003–2009	Santos
  Senior career*
  Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
  2009–2013	Santos	103	(54)
  2013–	Barcelona	59	(31)
  National team‡
  2009	Brazil U17	3	(1)
  2011	Brazil U20	7	(9)
  2012	Brazil U23	7	(4)
  2010–	Brazil	65	(44)
  Honours[show]
  * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:05, 24 May 2015 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 23:52, 17 June 2015 (UTC)