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 Brazilian professional footballer renowned for his dribbling, technical skills, playmaking, and finishing. Widely considered one of the greatest players, he currently plays for Santos and captains the Brazil national team. He is one of the select few to have scored 100 goals for three different clubs. Neymar holds the record as the all-time Brazilian top goalscorer and assist provider in the UEFA Champions League. He also ranks highly among South American international goalscorers and previously held the record for all-time top assist provider in international football.

Sections (7)

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

2010: Omission from the 2010 World Cup squad

In 2010, despite his successful season with Santos, and public pressure including a 14000 signature petition, Neymar was omitted from Brazil's 2010 World Cup squad by coach Dunga, who felt he lacked sufficient international experience.

February 2018: Neymar's season ends due to injury

Neymar's 2017–18 season ended in late February 2018 after suffering a metatarsal injury in his right foot. He scored 28 goals in 30 matches, winning the domestic treble of the Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Coupe de la Ligue.

2018: Neymar Challenge and Criticism for Diving

During the 2018 World Cup, Neymar inspired the "Neymar Challenge" on social media due to his dramatic dives. In 2018, he was the most fouled player in the top five leagues.

2018: Injuries Hinder Career

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

2018: Pelé Criticizes Neymar's off-field Behavior

In 2018, Pelé criticized Neymar for his actions off the field, stating that Neymar complicated the gift that the God of football gave him.

January 2019: Neymar sustains foot injury

In late January 2019, Neymar sustained a foot injury, causing him to miss the Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester United.

May 2019: Inclusion in Copa América squad and ankle injury

In May 2019, Neymar was included in Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América but suffered an ankle injury in a friendly win over Qatar, ruling him out of the tournament.

July 2019: Neymar wants to leave PSG

In July 2019, it was revealed that Neymar wanted to leave PSG as he felt referees never protected him, there was jealousy towards him from some dressing room team-mates, fans did not appreciate his talent showcased in PSG and sections of the French media were against him. Despite pushing for a move back to Barcelona, he ultimately agreed to stay at PSG after talks broke down.

July 2019: Rape Investigation Dropped

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

2019: Neymar returns from injury, faces cup final disappointment, and is excluded from Ballon d'Or shortlist

In 2019, Neymar returned from a foot injury to play in the Coupe de France Final, assisting and scoring, but PSG lost on penalties. He was later caught on video appearing to punch a spectator and was not included on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.

2019: Neymar booed by fans, scores winning goal, and leads PSG to domestic treble

In 2019, the transfer speculation caused tension in Paris, Neymar's first appearance for PSG in the 2019–20 season, he was booed for 90 minutes before scoring a bicycle kick in injury time to win 1–0 against Strasbourg in Ligue 1. He matched the record of Marseille's Gunnar Andersson and PSG won the domestic treble.

September 2020: Tests Positive for COVID-19

In September 2020, it was reported that Neymar, along with PSG teammates Ángel Di María and Leandro Paredes, tested positive for COVID-19 after a vacation in Ibiza and were quarantined.

January 2021: Neymar scores in Trophée des Champions and suffers injury

In January 2021, Neymar scored a penalty in PSG's 2–1 win over rivals Marseille to win the Trophée des Champions. Shortly after, he suffered his third injury of the season, causing him to miss the round of 16 tie against Barcelona in the Champions League.

2021: Neymar's Worst Season and Thoughts on European Football

The 2021–22 season was considered the worst season of Neymar's career, facing criticism for declining speed and stamina. In the previous year, Neymar expressed growing weariness with the demands of European football. Despite being linked with a departure, he remained with PSG.

February 2023: Neymar's Conduct After PSG Loss

In February 2023, images of Neymar in a fast-food restaurant surfaced on social media after PSG lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Neymar defended himself, saying, "It's my life, I do what I want."

February 2023: Neymar suffers season-ending ankle injury

On 19 February 2023, Neymar suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Lille in a Ligue 1 fixture, in which he scored PSG's second goal in a dramatic 4–3 comeback victory.

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 an AFC Champions League match. However, he then ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty and was out for the rest of the season.

2023: ACL and Meniscus Injury

In 2023, during Brazil's qualifying defeat to Uruguay on October 17, Neymar suffered an ACL and meniscus rupture in his left knee, which required surgery and ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign, as well as the 2024 Copa América.

2023: Dubbed 'Prince Who Never Became King'

In 2023, following his departure from Europe to Saudi Arabia without winning the Ballon d'Or, various media outlets dubbed Neymar as the 'Prince who never became King'.

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, including waterway diversion and unauthorized beach sand use.

October 2024: Neymar returns to action and suffers hamstring injury

Neymar returned to action for 2024–25 on 21 October 2024 during Al Hilal's AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. However, he soon suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year.