Challenges in the Life of Neymar in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Neymar. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Neymar Júnior is a highly acclaimed Brazilian footballer, renowned for his exceptional dribbling, technical skill, playmaking, and goal-scoring abilities. He plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Santos and captains the Brazil national team. He is one of five players to score 100 goals for three different clubs. He holds records for the most goals and assists by a Brazilian player in the UEFA Champions League. Neymar is the second-highest South American goalscorer in international football and a former record holder for international assists. Having scored over 400 senior career goals and registered over 250 assists, he is widely considered among the greatest footballers of all time.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2010: Neymar was not selected for the 2010 World Cup squad

Following Neymar's performances for Santos, including winning the 2010 Copa do Brasil and the 2010 Campeonato Paulista, Pelé and Romário urged coach Dunga to take Neymar to the 2010 World Cup, but Dunga omitted him from the squad.

June 2015: Suspension from 2015 Copa América

In June 2015, during the Copa América, Neymar scored in Brazil's opening match. However, after the second match against Colombia, he received a red card for kicking the ball at an opponent, resulting in a four-match ban and his exclusion from the rest of the tournament.

2015: Neymar's Peak Performance During Messi's Absence

Due to having the mumps, Neymar missed the 2015 UEFA Super Cup and the 2015 Supercopa de España. In Messi's absence due to injury from September 26, 2015, Neymar had a period of exceptional performance, scoring 13 goals and providing 9 assists in 8 games.

February 2017: Barcelona lost to PSG 4-0

On 14 February 2017, Barcelona suffered a 4-0 loss to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

2018: Injuries and Limited Game Time

From 2018 onwards, injuries hampered Neymar's career, resulting in limited game time.

2018: Champions League exit against Roma (2018)

In 2018, Barcelona faced a Champions League exit against Roma after Neymar's departure, contributing to a decline in the club's identity and performance.

January 2019: Foot Injury

In late January 2019, Neymar suffered a foot injury, preventing him from playing in the Champions League match against Manchester United.

May 2019: Included in Copa América Squad, then Ruled Out Due to Injury

In May 2019, Neymar was initially included in Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América. However, on 5 June 2019, he suffered an ankle injury in a friendly win over Qatar and was ruled out of the tournament.

July 2019: Absent from Training

In July 2019, Neymar was absent from training with PSG, leading to disciplinary action. He wanted to leave, citing a lack of protection from referees, jealousy from teammates, unappreciative fans, and a biased French media.

July 2019: Rape investigation dropped due to insufficient evidence

In July 2019, police announced that a rape investigation against Neymar would be dropped due to insufficient evidence.

2019: Champions League exit against Liverpool (2019)

In 2019, Barcelona faced a Champions League exit against Liverpool after Neymar's departure, contributing to a decline in the club's identity and performance.

2019: Return to PSG and Injury

In 2019, Neymar was booed on his first appearance for PSG, but scored a bicycle kick to win against Strasbourg. He also scored a late winner against Lyon. In October 2019, he suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty and returned to play against Real Madrid on November 26, 2019.

September 2020: Tested positive for COVID-19

In September 2020, Neymar, along with PSG teammates, tested positive for COVID-19 after reportedly vacationing in Ibiza, leading to quarantine measures.

2020: Champions League exit against Bayern Munich (2020)

In 2020, Barcelona faced a Champions League exit against Bayern Munich after Neymar's departure, contributing to a decline in the club's identity and performance.

2020: COVID-19, Goals and Ligue 1 Record

In 2020, Neymar tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the first match of the season. On October 2, 2020, he scored his first two goals of the season against Angers. On November 28, 2020, he scored his 50th goal in Ligue 1, becoming the fastest player to reach this milestone in only 58 matches.

February 2022: Return From Injury and League Play

In February 2022, Neymar returned from an ankle injury in a Champions League match against Real Madrid, assisting Mbappé's winning goal. He made his return to league play and his first start in 2022 in a match against Nantes, scoring a goal and missing a penalty.

2022: PSG squad overhaul after the 2022-23 season

At the end of the 2022-23 season, PSG began a squad overhaul. Neymar and Marco Verratti were informed that they were not in the team's plans for the following season. Neymar was linked with a potential return to Barcelona, but the deal never reached an advanced stage.

2022: Neymar sustained injury at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Neymar sustained an injury at the FIFA World Cup, which would affect his performance in the second half of the season.

March 2023: Neymar to undergo surgery in Doha

In March 2023, PSG announced that Neymar would undergo surgery in Doha, ruling him out for the remainder of the season, causing him to miss the Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

October 2023: Neymar scores first goal for Al Hilal and suffers ACL injury

In October 2023, Neymar scored his first goal for Al Hilal in a 3–0 win against Nassaji Mazandaran. He then ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty.

2023: 'Prince who never became King'

In 2023, after Neymar's departure from Europe to Saudi Arabia without winning the Ballon d'Or, he was dubbed the 'Prince who never became King' by the media.

2023: Potential fine for environmental violations

In the summer of 2023, Neymar faced a potential fine of about $1 million for environmental violations during the construction of his Mangaratiba mansion, as reported by Agence France-Presse.

2023: ACL and Meniscus Rupture

On 17 October 2023, Neymar was taken off on a stretcher during Brazil's qualifying defeat to Uruguay due to an awkward landing. Later that week, he confirmed that he had ruptured his ACL and meniscus in his left knee, requiring surgery and likely ruling him out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.

January 2024: Al Hilal deregisters Neymar

In January 2024, Al Hilal deregistered Neymar due to his season-ending injury, freeing up a foreign roster spot.

October 2024: Neymar returns to action and suffers hamstring injury in 2024

In October 2024, Neymar returned to action for Al Hilal against Al Ain, but suffered a hamstring injury a few weeks later. He was also named as one of three winners of the Player Career Award at the Globe Soccer Awards at the end of 2024.

2024: Absence from Copa América

In 2023, Neymar suffered an ACL and meniscus rupture, which would likely rule him out for the remainder of the 2023–24 campaign; consequently, he was left out of Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa América.

2024: Neymar's future at Al Hilal questioned in 2024-25 season

In 2024-25 season, Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus stated that Neymar can no longer perform at the level they are used to and things have become difficult for him.