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 exceptional dribbling, technical skills, playmaking, and finishing abilities. He currently plays for Santos and captains the Brazil national team. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Neymar is among the few players to have scored 100 goals for three different clubs. He is Brazil's all-time top goalscorer and assist provider in the UEFA Champions League, ranks second among South American men's top international goalscorers, and was formerly the all-time top assist provider in international football. He boasts over 400 career goals and 250 assists.

Sections (7)

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

June 2015: Suspension at the 2015 Copa América

In June 2015, during the Copa América, Neymar scored and assisted in Brazil's opening match against Peru. However, after a loss to Colombia, he received a red card for kicking the ball at an opponent, resulting in a four-match suspension and a $10000 fine, ending his tournament.

February 2017: Champions League First Leg loss against PSG

In February 2017, Barcelona suffered a 4-0 loss to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on February 14, 2017, a match that preceded the historic comeback known as 'La Remontada'.

2018: Criticism for excessive diving

During the 2018 World Cup, Neymar was criticized for excessive diving, leading to the "Neymar Challenge" on social media. He later addressed the criticism in a commercial, promising to change his behavior. He was also criticized by Pele for complicating his God-given gift by his behavior off the pitch.

2018: Injuries Hinder Career

From 2018 onwards, injuries began to hamper Neymar's career, leading to limited playing time.

January 2019: Foot Injury

In late January 2019, Neymar suffered a foot injury, causing him to miss the Champions League match against Manchester United.

May 2019: Included in Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América

In May 2019, Neymar was initially selected for Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América, but he later suffered an ankle injury in a friendly against Qatar, which ruled him out of the tournament.

July 2019: Absent from training with PSG

In July 2019, Neymar was absent from training with PSG, which led to disciplinary action by the club. He expressed a desire to leave PSG due to feeling unprotected by referees, jealousy from teammates, lack of appreciation from fans, and negative media coverage.

2019: Return to PSG and Scoring Game-Winning Goals

In 2019, after transfer speculation, Neymar returned to play for PSG. On September 14, 2019, he scored a bicycle kick to win 1-0 against Strasbourg, and on September 21, 2019, he scored a late winner in a 1-0 victory against Lyon. In October 2019, he suffered a hamstring injury. On November 26, 2019, he returned to play against Real Madrid.

September 2020: Neymar tests 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 and testing for the team.

2020: COVID-19 Positive Test and Ligue 1 Goal Record

In 2020, Neymar tested positive for COVID-19, causing him to miss the first match of the season. On October 2, 2020, he scored his first two goals of the season against Angers, entering the top ten goalscorers in PSG history. On November 28, 2020, he scored his 50th goal in Ligue 1, becoming the fastest player to reach this milestone.

January 2021: Trophée des Champions Victory and Adductor Injury

On January 13, 2021, Neymar scored the winning goal from a penalty in a 2–1 win over Marseille in the Trophée des Champions. On February 10, 2021, he sustained a left adductor injury in a cup win over Caen, ruling him out for four weeks.

February 2022: Return from Injury

On February 15, 2022, Neymar returned from an ankle injury in a Champions League match against Real Madrid, assisting Mbappé's goal. On February 19, 2022, he made his return to league play against Nantes, scoring a goal and missing a penalty.

March 2023: Neymar to undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season

In March 2023, PSG announced that Neymar would undergo surgery in Doha, ruling him out for the rest of the season and causing him to miss the Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Following reports of Messi's departure, PSG supporters protested against the club and insulted figures, including Neymar. Some individuals also went to Neymar's house demanding his departure.

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 in the AFC Champions League. Later that month, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty.

2023: Prince who never became King

In 2023, after Neymar moved to Saudi Arabia without winning the Ballon d'Or, he was dubbed the 'Prince who never became King' by various media outlets.

2023: ACL and meniscus injury

In October 2023, Neymar suffered a significant knee injury during a match against Uruguay, rupturing his ACL and meniscus. This injury required surgery and was expected to keep him out for the rest of the 2023-24 season.

January 2024: Al Hilal deregisters Neymar

In January 2024, Al Hilal deregistered Neymar due to his season-ending ACL injury, freeing up a foreign roster spot for Renan Lodi. Despite playing only three league games, Neymar won his eighth career league title as Al Hilal secured the league title.

October 2024: Neymar returns to action, suffers hamstring injury and receives Player Career Award

On 21 October 2024, Neymar returned to the field for Al Hilal in an AFC Champions League match against Al Ain, marking his comeback after a lengthy absence. However, a few weeks later, he suffered a hamstring injury, sidelining him for the rest of the year. At the end of 2024, Neymar was named one of the winners of the Player Career Award at the Globe Soccer Awards.

2024: Ruled out of Copa América due to injury

Due to the ACL and meniscus injury sustained in October 2023, Neymar was ruled out of Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa América.

2025: Neymar responds to criticism about his career

In a 2025 interview, Neymar addressed claims that he didn't reach expected heights, citing injuries while expressing satisfaction with his achievements.