Happy 31st Birthday Neymar Jr: Here Are Lesser-Known Facts About The Brazilian Footballer
As one of the most recognisable and celebrated footballers in the world, Neymar Jr has built a reputation for his dazzling skills on the pitch and his charismatic personality off it.
But despite his global fame, there’s still much to learn about this Brazilian superstar. Here are some fascinating facts about Neymar that will give you a glimpse into his life beyond the headlines since today is his birthday.
Neymar was born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Growing up in a sporting family, Neymar’s father, Neymar da Silva Sr was a former footballer who played for several clubs in Brazil. In fact, Neymar’s father was also his first coach and played a significant role in his early development as a football player.
Neymar’s family has always been supportive of his football career. His mother, Nadine da Silva, was a homemaker who took care of Neymar and his younger sister, Rafaella Beckran. Rafaella is also a professional footballer who played for Santos FC’s women’s team before retiring from football to focus on her fashion career.
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Neymar’s rise to fame began when he joined the youth academy at Santos FC at just 11 years old. He made his professional debut for Santos in 2009 at the age of 17 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in Brazilian football.
During his time at Santos, Neymar helped the team win several titles, including the Copa do Brasil in 2010 and the Copa Libertadores in 2011. He also made his debut for the Brazilian national team in 2011 and quickly became one of the team’s key players.
Neymar’s performances for Santos and the Brazilian national team attracted the attention of top European clubs and he eventually joined FC Barcelona in 2013.
During his time at Barcelona, Neymar formed a lethal attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, winning multiple domestic and international titles, including the Uefa Champions League in 2015.
In 2017, Neymar made a record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million, making him the most expensive player in football history at the time. He has continued to be a prolific scorer and creative force in attack for both PSG and the Brazilian national team.
Despite his success on the pitch, Neymar has also faced his fair share of challenges. He has been criticised for his diving and simulation and has also been involved in several high-profile controversies throughout his career.
Neymar has achieved numerous records and accolades throughout his career. He is the first Brazilian athlete to have appeared on the cover of Time Magazine and holds a rare record of scoring his 100th professional goal on the occasion of his 20th birthday.
Neymar is also the youngest Brazilian to appear in 100 international matches with the national team and was part of the historic Brazilian team that won the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in 2016.
However, Neymar has always maintained a strong connection with his fans and has used his platform to support various social and charitable causes.
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He has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives, including working with UNICEF to support vulnerable children around the world.
Neymar’s personal life has also been the subject of much attention and scrutiny. He has been linked to several high-profile celebrities, including the Brazilian model Gabriella Lenzi.
Neymar became a father for the first time in August 2011, welcoming his son Davi Lucca with his ex-partner Carolina Dantas.
Fast forward to October 2023, Neymar’s family grew with the arrival of his daughter Mavie, born during his relationship with Bruna Biancardi.
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And, in a surprise announcement in July 2024, Neymar revealed the birth of his third child, daughter Helena, with his partner Amanda Kimberlly, just nine months after Mavie’s arrival.
