Being one of the world’s greatest association football players means that Neymar is a household name for many fans of the sport. Not only that, but Neymar also holds the record of being the most expensive player ever. Being at the center of enormous money must have brought riches to the top Brazilian scorer, but how much is exactly Neymar’s net worth? Let’s find out.
Who is Neymar?
Born on February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil, Neymar was named for his father, a former footballer and his lifelong advisor. He made his professional debut with Santos in 2009 and helped the team win their first Copa Libertadores in almost half a century.
In 2013, he joined Barcelona and quickly made headlines as part of an attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. In his first season, the team won the continental treble (La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League), with Neymar being the top-scorer in the latter two.
After expressing his desire to “leave Messi’s shadow,” Neymar joined PSG in a €222 million (over $263 million) transfer deal, making him the most expensive player in history. Despite frequent injuries reducing his playtime, he won five Ligue 1 titles (and the title of “Ligue 1 Player of the Year”) and led the team to second place in the 2019–20 Champions League. In 2023, he signed for Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal.
Neymar has won various accolades and set several records. He is Brazil’s all-time top goalscorer with 79 goals across 128 matches, leading the national team to their first Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Neymar’s net worth
According to several sources, including Celebrity Net Worth and GiveMeSport, Neymar’s net worth is approximately $250 million as of 2024.
Neymar’s income sources
In addition to his abundant professional accolades, Neymar has successfully leveraged his image and publicity and established a respectable presence on the global scene. In fact, Time listed him among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2017, and SportsPro named him the world’s most marketable athlete in both 2012 and 2013.
The extent of the Brazilian player’s branding has significantly boosted Neymar’s net worth. Here’s a quick overview of his vast income sources:
Contracts: Naturally, the primary source of Neymar’s wealth came from deals signed with teams, most notably PSG and Al Hilal. His transfer to PSG still holds the record as the most expensive football deal in history (worth $263 million). Most recently, Neymar signed for Al Hilal in August 2023 for more than $98 million in transfer fees, with him reportedly receiving $163.5 million each year;
Brand endorsements: Similar to other famous footballers like Ronaldo, Neymar has also made some high-profile endorsements and brand deals. Most notable brands include Nike (NYSE: NKE), Volkswagen (FWB: VOW), Red Bull, Epic Games, FIFA, Call of Duty, and PES video games franchises;
Media appearances, events, and merchandise: Neymar’s huge popularity makes it difficult to track individual income streams. He was featured on the cover of Time and Vogue, he is the fourth most-followed athlete on Instagram, and he has been featured in several documentaries, including Neymar: The Perfect Chaos, just to name a few.
Neymar’s personal life
Neymar’s full name is Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. He has a sister and remains very close to her, having tattooed her face on his arm. He is the father of three, each with a different woman.
The famous Brazilian footballer is a Pentecostal Christian. He is outspoken about his faith, sometimes wearing a headband with “100% Jesus” on it. He also reportedly donates 10% of his income to his church.
Neymar has also witnessed a fair share of controversy, including being accused of investigation for rape, partying during coronavirus, and issuing racial comments. In the 2022 Brazilian presidential election campaign, he endorsed right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro, drawing heavy criticism from a portion of his fanbase.
Additionally, Neymar has actively promoted Brazilian pop music, especially Música sertaneja. A video of Neymar dancing in the Santos locker room in front of his teammates to Michel Teló’s hit “Ai se eu te pego!” went viral on social media. He has also incorporated the dance for celebrations after scoring goals. As an avid fan, he has appeared on several music videos, including “Eu Quero Tchu, Eu Quero Tcha” by João Lucas & Marcelo and “País do Futebol” by MC Guimê.