History of Neymar in Timeline
Neymar Júnior is a Brazilian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional dribbling, technical skill, playmaking, and finishing abilities. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, he currently plays for Santos and captains the Brazil national team. He is one of the few players to have scored 100 goals for three different clubs and holds records as the all-time Brazilian top goalscorer and assist provider in the UEFA Champions League. Neymar is also a leading goalscorer in international football and has amassed over 400 senior career goals and over 250 assists for both club and country.
1956: Pelé's Time at Santos
In January 2025, Neymar started wearing the number 10 jersey for Santos, the number which Pelé had worn during his time spent between 1956 and 1974.
1963: Santos' Previous Copa Libertadores Triumph
In 1963, Santos had last won the Copa Libertadores, with Pelé as a player.
1974: Pelé's Time at Santos
In January 2025, Neymar started wearing the number 10 jersey for Santos, the number which Pelé had worn during his time spent between 1956 and 1974.
1978: Rivellino's Transfer to Al Hilal
In 1978, Neymar's transfer to Al Hilal drew comparisons to former Brazil international Rivellino's transfer to the club.
February 1992: Neymar's Birth
On February 5, 1992, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known as Neymar, was born. He is a Brazilian professional footballer known for his skills as an attacking midfielder or forward, currently playing for Santos and the Brazil national team.
2003: Move to São Vicente and Santos
In 2003, Neymar moved with his family to São Vicente, where he began playing for Portuguesa Santista. Later in 2003, they moved to Santos, where Neymar joined Santos' youth team.
2003: Joining Santos Youth Academy
In 2003, Neymar was spotted by Santos and offered a contract to join their youth academy, where he developed alongside other Brazilian talents.
2006: Kaká tops Champions League scoring list
In 2006, Kaká topped the Champions League scoring list, marking the first time a player other than Messi and Ronaldo achieved this since the 2006-07 season. Also on June 6 2015, Neymar scored the third goal for Barça in the 3–1 Champions League Final defeat of Italian champions Juventus at Berlin's Olympiastadion, ensuring the club won its fifth European Cup.
March 2009: Professional Debut for Santos
On March 7, 2009, Neymar made his professional debut for Santos at the age of 17 in a match against Oeste. He was subbed in for the last 30 minutes of the 2-1 victory.
2009: Professional Debut with Santos
In 2009, Neymar made his professional debut with Santos, marking the beginning of his senior career.
May 2010: Copa do Brasil Win
In May 2010, Neymar scored a goal in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil finals, contributing to Santos' victory. He finished as the tournament's top scorer with 11 goals.
May 2010: Copa do Brasil Quarterfinals Victory
On May 5, 2010, Neymar scored a goal in the 3–1 Copa do Brasil quarterfinals victory over Atletico-MG.
July 2010: Selected for Brazil Senior Team
On July 26, 2010, Neymar was selected for the first time in the Brazil senior team by new head coach Mano Menezes for a friendly match against the United States.
August 2010: Debut and Goal for Brazil
On August 10, 2010, Neymar, aged 18, made his debut for the Brazil national team in a friendly against the United States, scoring a header in a 2–0 win.
September 2010: Penalty Dispute and Manager Sacking
On September 15, 2010, during a league match against Atlético Goianiense, Neymar's attitude and on-field behavior led to a penalty dispute and the subsequent sacking of Santos' manager, Dorival Júnior, after Neymar reacted negatively to not being allowed to take a penalty.
November 2010: Sale of Future Transfer Fees Share
On November 30, 2010, Santos sold a 5% share of future transfer fees that Neymar would receive to an investment group, Terceira Estrela Investimentos S.A. (TEISA), for R$ 3,549,900 (€1.5 million).
December 2010: Third Place in South American Footballer of the Year
In December 2010, at the age of 18, Neymar came third for the 2010 South American Footballer of the Year award.
2010: Interest from European Clubs
During the summer transfer window of 2010, Santos rejected a £12 million bid from West Ham United and later a £20 million offer from Chelsea for Neymar.
2010: Rapid Development and Recognition
In 2010, Neymar continued his rapid development, scoring five goals in a Brazilian Cup match against Guarani on April 15. He also won the best player award in the Campeonato Paulista, drawing comparisons to Brazilian legends.
2010: Omission from 2010 World Cup Squad
In 2010, despite calls from Pelé and Romário, and a 14,000 signature petition, Neymar was omitted from Brazil's 2010 World Cup squad due to insufficient international experience.
2010: Neymar's breakthrough season
Neymar's 2010 season was his breakthrough season.
March 2011: Neymar Signs with Nike and Panasonic
In March 2011, Neymar signed an 11-year contract with Nike and a two-year contract with Panasonic for US$2.4 million, marking significant endorsement deals early in his career.
March 2011: Privilege of Being on the Brazilian Team
On March 1, 2011, Neymar expressed that being on the Brazilian team is a privilege and that he is very happy to be among some marvelous players.
March 2011: Match Against Scotland and Racism Allegations
On March 27, 2011, Neymar scored twice in a 2–0 win against Scotland, after which a banana was thrown onto the pitch. Neymar complained about 'constant jeering and an atmosphere of racism', leading to controversy and a request for an apology from the Scottish Football Association. Neymar refused to apologise.
July 2011: Spectacular Goal Against Flamengo
On July 27, 2011, Neymar scored his first goals of that year's Campeonato Brasileiro, scoring two goals in a thrilling match against Ronaldinho's Flamengo, but could not prevent defeat for his team as they lost 5–4. The first goal later won the 2011 FIFA Puskás Award.
September 2011: Real Madrid Interest and Contract Extension
In September 2011, Santos threatened to report Real Madrid to FIFA for attempting to sign Neymar to a pre-contract agreement. Subsequently, on November 9, Neymar agreed to a contract extension with Santos until after the 2014 World Cup.
2011: FIFA Ballon d'Or Ranking
Early in 2012, at 19 years old, Neymar finished 10th in the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or rankings.
2011: Neymar Recounts Puskas Award Winning Goal
In 2011 Neymar scored the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year, which he later recounted in 2019 in collaboration with DAZN.
2011: Back-to-Back State Titles and Copa Libertadores Triumph
In 2011, Neymar played a crucial role in Santos' success, scoring vital goals in the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa Libertadores, leading them to victory in both competitions. Santos won their first Copa Libertadores triumph since 1963.
2011: IFFHS's CONMEBOL The Best Man Player of the Decade Runner-up
In 2011, Neymar was runner-up for the IFFHS's CONMEBOL The Best Man Player of the Decade (2011–2020) award.
2011: South American Youth Championship and Copa América
In 2011, Neymar was the leading goalscorer of the South American Youth Championship with nine goals, including two in the final. He also participated in the 2011 Copa América, scoring two goals against Ecuador. Brazil were eliminated in the quarter-finals in a penalty shoot-out against Paraguay.
2011: Copa Libertadores Victory
In 2011, Neymar won the Copa Libertadores with Santos, contributing with a goal in the finals.
2011: South American Footballer of the Year Award
On December 31, 2011, Neymar won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award for the first time.
February 2012: 100th Career Goal
On February 5, 2012, Neymar, at 20 years old, scored his 100th goal as a professional football player against Palmeiras in the Campeonato Paulista.
April 2012: Hat-trick Against São Paulo
On April 29, 2012, Neymar scored a hat-trick against São Paulo, with the match ending 3–1.
May 2012: Selected for Brazil Olympic Football Team
On May 11, 2012, Neymar was selected for the squad of the Brazil Olympic football team to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
July 2012: Warm-up Match and Opening Fixture at the Olympics
On July 20, 2012, Neymar was involved in both goals of a 2–0 win against Great Britain. On July 26, he scored his first goal in Brazil's opening fixture against Egypt, which ended in a 3–2 victory.
August 2012: Neymar scores a brace against Palmeiras
On August 25, 2012, Neymar scored twice in a 2–1 away win against Palmeiras.
November 2012: Neymar's Personal Brand Logo Created
In November 2012, advertising agency Loducca created Neymar's personal brand logo, featuring the letters N, J, and R stylized to resemble his shirt number 11.
2012: Olympic Silver Medal
In 2012, Neymar helped Brazil reach the final at the Summer Olympics in men's football, ultimately receiving the Olympic silver medal.
2012: Neymar's Cameo in Sertanejo Music Video
In 2012, Neymar made a cameo appearance in the music video for the sertanejo hit "Eu Quero Tchu, Eu Quero Tcha" by João Lucas & Marcelo.
2012: Neymar Featured on Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 Cover
In 2012, Neymar was featured on the North American cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2012.
2012: Pelé claims Neymar is the best player in the world
In 2012, Pelé claimed that Neymar was the best player in the world. Diego Maradona responded by stating that Neymar could only be considered the best if Messi was from another planet. Neymar commented that Messi was above everyone and that he was inspired by watching good football. Ronaldo stated that Neymar was a great talent and the best Brazil had. Zico compared Neymar to Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi. After Neymar's hat-trick and Messi's five goals, Neymar said he was a Messi fan and supported him to score goals so he could imitate him.
2012: Campeonato Paulista and Copa Libertadores Performance
Throughout 2012, Neymar continued to excel, scoring twice in both legs of the Campeonato Paulista Finals against Guarani, finishing the competition with 20 goals, and being voted the Best Player and Best Forward. He was also joint top scorer in the Copa Libertadores, where Santos were eventually beaten by Corinthians in the semi-finals.
January 2013: Neymar scores twice against São Bernardo
On January 19, 2013, Neymar started the 2013 Campeonato Paulista season by scoring twice in a 3–1 win over São Bernardo.
February 2013: Neymar on Time Magazine Cover
In February 2013, Neymar appeared on the cover of Time magazine, becoming the first Brazilian athlete to do so, with an accompanying article titled "The Next Pelé".
February 2013: Neymar on the cover of Time magazine
In February 2013, Neymar was on the cover of Time magazine with the title 'The Next Pelé'.
April 2013: Neymar Featured in Monica's Gang Comic Book
In April 2013, Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa released a Monica's Gang comic book featuring a younger version of Neymar as the main character.
May 2013: Neymar Named Most Marketable Athlete
In May 2013, SportsPro magazine named Neymar the most marketable athlete in the world. Also in May 2013, Neymar launched the Nike Hypervenom football boot.
May 2013: Neymar Named Most Marketable Athlete by SportsPro
In May 2013, SportsPro magazine named Neymar the most marketable athlete on the planet for the second consecutive year.
July 2013: Neymar makes unofficial debut for Barcelona
On July 30, 2013, Neymar made his unofficial debut for Barcelona in a pre-season friendly against Lechia Gdańsk.
2013: Neymar Appears in Rap Music Video
In 2013, Neymar appeared in a rap music video, "País do Futebol" by MC Guimê.
2013: Neymar's final season for Santos
In 2013, Neymar finished the state league campaign with 12 goals. On May 26, ahead of his last match for Santos against Flamengo, Neymar was in tears during the national anthem, with the match ending in a draw.
2013: Neymar's La Liga debut and Supercopa de España win
In 2013, Neymar made his La Liga debut for Barcelona during the opening game against Levante. On August 21, Neymar played in the Supercopa de España against Atlético Madrid, scoring the equalizing goal in the first leg, which ultimately secured the trophy for Barcelona.
2013: Neymar's Champions League debut and first El Clásico appearance
In 2013, Neymar made his UEFA Champions League debut against Ajax, assisting a goal. He scored his first La Liga goal against Real Sociedad. On October 26, Neymar made his first El Clásico appearance, scoring the opening goal and assisting the winning goal against Real Madrid. On December 11, Neymar scored his first Champions League hat-trick against Celtic.
2013: Signing with Barcelona
In 2013, Neymar signed with Barcelona, joining Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez to form the attacking trio known as MSN.
2013: Neymar Featured on Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 Cover
In 2013, Neymar was featured on the North American cover of the video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2013.
2013: Selected for Brazil's 2013 Confederations Cup squad
In 2013, Neymar was selected for Brazil's squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup, which was held on home soil. He was assigned the number 10 shirt for the tournament, after previously wearing number 11.
2013: Golden Ball at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup
Throughout 2013, Neymar had multiple achievements, including scoring the first goal of the tournament against Japan on June 15th, scoring in consecutive matches against Mexico and Italy, and scoring in the final victory against Spain on June 30th. His performance led him to receive the Golden Ball for player of the tournament. He also finished in 5th place for the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
January 2014: Investigation into Neymar's transfer fee begins
In January 2014, the prosecutor's office in Madrid began investigating the transfer fee that Barcelona paid for Neymar. On January 23, Sandro Rosell resigned as president. A day later, details of the transfer were revealed, costing €86.2 million. Neymar's parents received €40 million. Barcelona and Bartomeu were charged with tax fraud.
March 2014: Neymar scores hat-trick and interacts with young fan
In March 2014, Neymar scored a hat-trick in a friendly win against South Africa in Johannesburg. After the game, he made headlines for intervening when security tried to remove a young fan from the field, instead introducing the boy to his teammates and allowing them to celebrate with him.
June 2014: Neymar on Vogue Brazil Cover
In June 2014, Neymar appeared with supermodel Gisele Bündchen on the cover of Vogue's Brazilian edition to mark the World Cup commencing in Brazil.
September 2014: Neymar scores first goals of the 2014-15 season
On September 13, 2014, Neymar scored his first two goals of the 2014–15 season, helping Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2–0. On September 27, he scored a hat-trick against Granada.
October 2014: Neymar scores four goals against Japan and becomes fifth highest goalscorer for Brazil
In October 2014, Neymar was made captain of the Brazil team and scored four goals in a game for the first time in his international career, leading Brazil to a 4–0 friendly win against Japan in Singapore. At 22 years old, he had scored 40 goals in 58 international matches, making him the fifth-highest goalscorer for Brazil.
November 2014: Neymar Joins FIFA's "11 against Ebola" Campaign
In November 2014, Neymar appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign with other top football players to raise awareness of the disease.
2014: Expected to win the Ballon d'Or after stellar 2014-15 season
After his stellar 2014–15 season with Barcelona, Neymar was expected to win the Ballon d'Or at some point in his career.
2014: Neymar Stars in Beats Advert
In 2014, Neymar starred in an advert for Beats alongside other football stars with the theme of 'The Game Before The Game'.
2014: Neymar nominated for Ballon d'Or
In 2014, Neymar was nominated for Ballon d'Or.
2014: Treble Win with Barcelona
In 2014, Neymar won the treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League with Barcelona, finishing as the top goalscorer of the Champions League and Copa del Rey that season.
2014: Named in Brazil's 2014 World Cup squad
In June 2014, Neymar was named in the Brazil squad for the 2014 World Cup. He was expected to lead Brazil to victory. A week before the tournament, Neymar scored one goal and had two assists in a friendly match against Panama.
2014: Contract Extension with Santos
In September 2011, Neymar agreed to a contract extension with Santos until after the 2014 World Cup.
2014: Neymar participated in Champions League
Neymar played in the treble-winning 2014–15 campaign.
2014: Neymar intends to leave for Europe before the 2014 FIFA World Cup
On April 25, Neymar's agent and father revealed that Neymar intended to leave for Europe before the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
January 2015: Neymar scores twice against Elche
On January 24, 2015, Neymar scored twice and assisted two more goals in a 6–0 win at Elche. On January 28, he scored his 20th goal of the season in a 3–2 Copa del Rey quarter-final win over Atlético Madrid.
March 2015: Neymar's Social Media Ranking
In March 2015, Neymar had the fourth highest social media rank in the world among sportspeople, with 52 million Facebook fans.
June 2015: Neymar receives four-match ban at Copa América
In June 2015, Neymar scored the equalizing goal and assisted the winning goal against Peru in the Copa América. However, after a loss to Colombia, he received a red card for kicking the ball at an opponent and was subsequently banned for four matches, ending his tournament.
2015: Barcelona secures league title and wins Copa del Rey Final
After securing the league title on May 17, 2015, Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–1 in the 2015 Copa del Rey Final on May 30, with Neymar scoring the second goal. His ball tricks were deemed unsporting by an opponent.
2015: Ballon d'Or Third Place
In 2015, Neymar finished third in the Ballon d'Or rankings, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
2015: Neymar misses Super Cup and Supercopa due to mumps, experiences peak performance
In 2015, Neymar missed the UEFA Super Cup and the Supercopa de España due to having the mumps. After Messi's knee injury on September 26, Neymar experienced one of the greatest peaks in his career, scoring 13 goals and providing 9 assists in 8 games.
2015: Neymar's outstanding performances and Ballon d'Or nomination
In 2015, Neymar scored four goals in Barcelona's 5–2 win over Rayo Vallecano on October 17. On November 8, he scored a "stunning" goal against Villarreal. On November 21, Neymar scored one and assisted another against Real Madrid. He scored twice against Real Sociedad on November 28. He was shortlisted for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or, ultimately coming in third place.
2015: Neymar's performances in Copa del Rey and Champions League
In 2015, Neymar scored twice in Barcelona's 3–1 Copa del Rey semi-final win over Villarreal. On April 21, Neymar scored twice in Barcelona's 2–0 Champions League quarter-final win over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). In May, Neymar scored the last goal in a 3–0 win against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final and both goals in a 3–2 second leg defeat. He also scored in a 2–0 league win versus Real Sociedad.
2015: Neymar's assist in Champions League
While not as prolific in the Champions League as in the treble-winning 2014–15 campaign, Neymar’s 2015–16 season saw him also get 5 assists in the 9 games he played in.
March 2016: Neymar scores against Arsenal
On March 16, 2016, Neymar scored against Arsenal in the Champions League, helping Barcelona advance. However, Barcelona was knocked out in the quarter-final by Atlético Madrid.
May 2016: Neymar scores in Copa del Rey Final
On May 22, 2016, Neymar scored in Barcelona's Copa del Rey Final win over Sevilla. The front three of Messi, Suárez and Neymar finished the season with 131 goals. Neymar scored over 30 goals for the second consecutive season, scoring 31, and got 25 assists.
June 2016: Neymar Becomes First Footballer to Wear Air Jordan Boots
In June 2016, Neymar became the first footballer ever to wear Air Jordan-branded boots, specifically a custom Air Jordan V Hypervenom, establishing a connection with Air Jordan.
June 2016: Neymar to play in the 2016 Summer Olympics
In June 2016, Neymar was chosen as one of the three over-23 players for Brazil's squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics, held in Rio. He was also named the team's captain.
July 2016: Neymar signs new contract with Barcelona until 2021
On 1 July 2016, Neymar signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2021. The contract included a €200 million buy-out clause, rising to €222m and €250m respectively in the following years. Rumors of Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester City making offers for Neymar were circulating at the time.
October 2016: Neymar scores last goal of 2016 against Man City
In October 2016, Neymar scored his last goal of the year during the Champions League group stage fixture against Manchester City, contributing to a 4–0 victory. This goal marked the end of a less prolific period for Neymar in 2016.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal
In 2016, Neymar captained Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal in men's football at the Summer Olympics.
2016: Neymar Ranked Among World's Most Famous Athletes
In 2016, Neymar was ranked the fourth most famous athlete in the world by ESPN.
February 2017: Barcelona lost the first leg against PSG
On 14 February 2017, Barcelona lost the first leg against PSG by 4-0 in the Champions League round of 16.
March 2017: Key role in Barcelona's comeback against PSG
On 8 March 2017, Neymar played a pivotal role in Barcelona's 6–1 victory over PSG in the Champions League round of 16, widely known as La Remontada. With Barcelona trailing 5–3 on aggregate in the 88th minute, Neymar scored a free-kick and a penalty, and assisted Sergi Roberto's winner in injury time. He was named man of the match.
April 2017: Neymar Included in Time 100
In April 2017, Neymar was included in the Time 100, Time magazine's list of the most influential people in the world.
June 2017: Informs teammates of desire to leave Barcelona
In June 2017, Neymar reportedly informed his Barcelona teammates, including Xavi, of his desire to leave the club at Messi's wedding. This event marked the beginning of media speculation about Neymar's potential move to PSG.
August 2017: Neymar Debuts for PSG with a Goal and Assist
On 13 August 2017, Neymar made his debut for PSG, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 3–0 victory over Guingamp. The match was broadcast in 183 countries. On 20 August, he scored two goals and two assists in a 6–2 win against Toulouse.
August 2017: Barcelona files lawsuit against Neymar
On 27 August 2017, Barcelona filed a lawsuit against Neymar, seeking the return of his contract renewal bonus and €8.5 million in damages, plus 10% for arrears. The lawsuit stemmed from Neymar's new contract signed in 2016, and Barcelona requested PSG to assume the payment responsibility if Neymar could not pay.
August 2017: Neymar's Representatives Pay €222 Million Release Clause
On 3 August 2017, Neymar's legal representatives paid Barcelona €222 million, matching his release clause, making it the most expensive transfer ever. La Liga refused to accept the payment, citing Financial Fair Play concerns, so the fee was paid directly to the club.
2017: Barcelona Career Milestones in 2017
In 2017, Neymar achieved several milestones with Barcelona, including surpassing Ronaldinho's goal tally and scoring his 100th goal for the club on 2 April in a 4–1 win over Granada. On 15 May, he scored his first away hat-trick for Barcelona in a 4-1 victory against Las Palmas. On 27 May, he scored in the 2017 Copa del Rey Final. He ended the season with 20 goals and 21 assists.
2017: Ballon d'Or Third Place
In 2017, Neymar finished third in the Ballon d'Or rankings, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
2017: Neymar should have won all Ballon d'Ors from 2017 onwards
In 2017, former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe claimed that Neymar should have won all Ballon d’Ors from 2017 onwards.
January 2018: Scores Four Goals Against Dijon
On 17 January 2018, Neymar delivered a standout performance, scoring four goals and providing two assists in PSG's 8–0 victory against Dijon. He became only the second player to receive a perfect 10 rating from L'Equipe for a league match performance.
June 2018: Neymar scores after injury comeback and becomes joint-third highest goalscorer for Brazil
In June 2018, Neymar made his international comeback after a foot injury, scoring in a friendly win over Croatia. The following week, he became Brazil's joint-third highest goalscorer after scoring his 55th international goal against Austria. Later in June 2018, he scored against Costa Rica in the World Cup, making him third in Brazil's all-time scoring chart.
June 2018: End of contract with Barcelona
On June 3, Neymar was unveiled by Barcelona after passing medical tests and signing a contract that would keep him at the club through June 2018.
August 2018: PSG's League Goal and Penalty
In August 2018, Neymar featured in PSG's 4-0 Trophée des Champions victory over Monaco, playing for 15 minutes on 4 August. On 12 August 2018, Neymar scored PSG's opening league goal of the 2018–19 season in a 3–0 win over Caen. He also scored a penalty in a 3–1 win against Guingamp in Ligue 1. Later in the month, on 25 August, Neymar, Mbappé, and Cavani all scored in a 3–1 win over Angers, with Neymar contributing a goal and an assist.
2018: Criticism for diving during the 2018 World Cup
During the 2018 World Cup, Neymar was criticized for excessive diving, inspiring the "Neymar Challenge" on social media. He was also criticized for a lack of professional discipline and partying habits.
2018: Injuries and Limited Game Time
From 2018 onwards, injuries began to hamper Neymar's career, leading to limited game time.
2018: Champions League Exit Against Roma
In 2018, Barcelona faced a humiliating Champions League exit against Roma after Neymar's departure.
2018: Neymar Influences PSG Partnership with Air Jordan
In 2018, Neymar was influential in PSG’s groundbreaking partnership with Air Jordan.
January 2019: Foot Injury
In late January 2019, Neymar suffered a foot injury which kept him out of his side's Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester United.
May 2019: Neymar included in Brazil's 2019 Copa América squad
In May 2019, Neymar was selected for Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América, which would be held on home soil. However, he later suffered an ankle injury in a friendly match against Qatar in June 2019 and was ruled out of the tournament.
July 2019: Absence from Training
In July 2019, Neymar was absent from training with PSG, with the club talking disciplinary action. Neymar wanted to leave PSG, citing issues such as lack of protection from referees, jealousy from teammates, unappreciated talent, and negative media coverage.
July 2019: Rape Investigation Dropped Against Neymar
In July 2019, police announced the dropping of a rape investigation against Neymar due to insufficient evidence.
August 2019: Transfer Negotiations
In August 2019, Neymar was prepared to pay €20m to PSG to facilitate a move to Barcelona. On 27 August 2019, both clubs met to discuss Neymar's situation, but PSG refused Barcelona's written offer. On 30 August, Neymar's written offer to PSG general manager Jean-Claude Blanc was dismissed by PSG. Neymar ultimately agreed to stay at PSG after talks to return to Barcelona broke down. Real Madrid were also interested in signing Neymar.
2019: Champions League Exit Against Liverpool
In 2019, Barcelona faced a humiliating Champions League exit against Liverpool after Neymar's departure.
2019: Neymar Ranked Among World's Most Famous Athletes
In 2019, ESPN again ranked Neymar as the world's fourth most famous athlete.
2019: Forbes Ranks Neymar as Third-Highest-Paid Athlete
In 2019, Forbes ranked Neymar as the world's third-highest-paid athlete, with earnings of $105 million for the year.
2019: Neymar Appears in 'The Making Of' and 'Neymar and the Line of King'
In 2019, Neymar appeared in DAZN's 'The Making Of' series, reminiscing about his 2011 Puskás Award-winning goal, and in the film 'Neymar and the Line of King', documenting his rise to become one of Brazil's top players.
2019: Named best Brazilian player post-Pelé
In 2019, Neymar was named the best Brazilian player post-Pelé by Placar, a Brazilian sports magazine.
July 2020: Coupe de France Title
On 24 July 2020, Neymar scored in PSG's 1–0 win over Saint-Étienne in the Coupe de France Final, winning his second Coupe de France title with the club. On 31 July 2020, PSG won the 2020 Coupe de la Ligue Final, completing a domestic treble, with Neymar netting one of the penalties.
August 2020: Nike Contract Ends Amid Allegations
In August 2020, Neymar's 11-year contract with Nike ended after a Nike employee made a sexual assault complaint against him. Subsequently, Neymar signed with Puma.
September 2020: Neymar Tests Positive for COVID-19
In September 2020, Neymar, along with PSG teammates Ángel Di María and Leandro Paredes, tested positive for COVID-19 after reportedly vacationing in Ibiza, leading to a week-long quarantine.
October 2020: Neymar surpasses Ronaldo as Brazil's second highest goalscorer
In October 2020, Neymar scored a hat-trick in a World Cup qualifier against Peru, surpassing Ronaldo as Brazil's second-highest goalscorer of all time, reaching his 64th international goal.
2020: Neymar Ranked Fourth Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2020, Forbes ranked Neymar as the fourth highest-paid athlete with earnings of $95.5 million.
2020: Champions League Final with PSG
In 2020, Neymar was instrumental in leading Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to their first-ever Champions League final.
2020: IFFHS's CONMEBOL The Best Man Player of the Decade Runner-up
In 2020, Neymar was runner-up for the IFFHS's CONMEBOL The Best Man Player of the Decade (2011–2020) award.
January 2021: Trophée des Champions Winning Goal
On 13 January 2021, Neymar scored the winning goal from a penalty in a 2–1 win over rivals Marseille in the Trophée des Champions.
June 2021: Neymar scores and assists in Copa América
In June 2021, during Brazil's opening group match of the 2021 Copa América, Neymar scored a penalty and assisted a goal in a win against Venezuela. In the following match, on June 17th, he scored again against Peru. Throughout June 2021, he assisted match-winning goals against Colombia and Chile and assisted another goal in the semi-finals against Peru. He was named player of the tournament alongside Messi.
August 2021: Messi Signs for PSG
On 10 August 2021, Neymar's former Barcelona teammate Messi signed for PSG. On 29 August, Neymar made his first appearance of the season, being a starter in a 2–0 win over Reims. Messi replaced Neymar at the 66th minute of the match, making his debut for the French club.
December 2021: Neymar Signs Deal with Facebook Gaming
In December 2021, Neymar signed a deal with Facebook Gaming.
2021: Neymar Ranked Fourth Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2021, Forbes ranked Neymar as the fourth highest-paid athlete with earnings of $95 million.
2021: Copa América Best Player Award
In 2021, Neymar played a pivotal role in Brazil's runners-up finish at the Copa América and was jointly awarded Best Player.
February 2022: Return from Ankle Injury
On 15 February 2022, Neymar returned from an ankle injury in a Champions League match against Real Madrid, assisting Mbappé's injury-time goal. Four days later, he started in a league match against Nantes, scoring a goal and missing a penalty in a 3–1 loss.
November 2022: Neymar named in Brazil's squad for the 2022 World Cup
In November 2022, Neymar was selected for Brazil's squad for the 2022 World Cup. He was considered to be in excellent form and a key player in Brazil's chances of winning the tournament.
2022: Neymar Appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
In 2022, Neymar appeared as a playable operator in the first-person shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
2022: Neymar Appears in TikTok Video Supporting Bolsonaro
In 2022, Neymar appeared in a TikTok video lip-syncing a campaign jingle promoting President Jair Bolsonaro, receiving heavy criticism for his endorsement.
2022: Neymar Supports Jair Bolsonaro
In 2022, Neymar publicly supported Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the Brazilian general election.
2022: Neymar Sustains Injury at FIFA World Cup
In 2022, Neymar sustained an injury at the FIFA World Cup during the winter, further impacting his season.
2022: Neymar Featured in Netflix Documentary
In 2022, Neymar was the subject of a Netflix documentary series titled Neymar: The Perfect Chaos.
2022: Praised as the best player in the world
In 2022, Son Heung-min described Neymar as the best player in the world. Other players have also praised Neymar as one of the greatest players of all time.
2022: Sportico Names Neymar Fourth Highest-Paid Athlete
In 2022, Sportico named Neymar as the fourth highest-paid athlete.
2022: PSG squad overhaul
In 2022, after the 2022–23 season, PSG began a squad overhaul, not renewing the contracts of Sergio Ramos and Messi. Neymar and Marco Verratti were informed that they were not in the team's plans for the following season.
February 2023: Criticism over behavior after PSG loss
In February 2023, following a loss by PSG to Bayern Munich, Neymar defended himself after images surfaced of him in a fast-food restaurant.
August 2023: Neymar Transfers to Al Hilal
On August 15, 2023, Neymar completed a transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal on a two-year contract for €90 million, becoming the most expensive purchase in Saudi Pro League history. He was reportedly being paid €150m a year.
September 2023: Neymar Debuts for Al Hilal
On September 15, 2023, Neymar made his club debut in Saudi Arabia for Al Hilal during a 6–1 thrashing of Al-Riyadh, providing an assist to a goal by Malcom.
October 2023: First Goal and ACL Rupture
In October 2023, Neymar scored his first goal for Al Hilal in a 3–0 win against Nassaji Mazandaran. Later that month, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty.
2023: Neymar Ranked Twelfth Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2023, Forbes ranked Neymar as the twelfth highest-paid athlete with earnings of $85 million.
2023: Media Dubs Neymar 'Prince Who Never Became King'
In 2023, after Neymar's move to Saudi Arabia, media outlets started calling him the 'Prince who never became King' because he left Europe at the age of 31 without winning the Ballon d'Or.
2023: Neymar injures ACL and meniscus
In October 2023, during Brazil's qualifying defeat to Uruguay, Neymar suffered an ACL and meniscus rupture in his left knee, requiring surgery and likely ruling him out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.
2023: Neymar Faces Fine for Environmental Violations
In the summer of 2023, Neymar faced a potential $1 million fine for environmental violations during the construction of his Mangaratiba mansion, which involved unauthorized waterway diversion and beach sand use.
January 2024: Neymar Deregistered by Al Hilal
In January 2024, Al Hilal deregistered Neymar due to his season-ending injury, freeing up a foreign roster spot.
June 2024: Neymar Jr. Appointed Brand Ambassador for Blaze
In June 2024, Neymar Jr. was appointed brand ambassador for Blaze's exclusive "crash" online gaming product.
October 2024: Return to Action and Hamstring Injury
In October 2024, Neymar returned to action for Al Hilal against Al Ain, but suffered a hamstring injury a few weeks later, sidelining him for the rest of the year. Also, Neymar was named as one of three winners of the Player Career Award at the Globe Soccer Awards, alongside former England defender Rio Ferdinand and Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
2024: Neymar Receives Player Career Award
At the end of 2024, Neymar was named as one of three winners of the Player Career Award at the Globe Soccer Awards.
2024: Neymar is ruled out for the 2024 Copa América due to injury
Due to the ACL and meniscus rupture sustained in October 2023, Neymar was left out of Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa América.
2024: Neymar Ranked Seventh Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2024, Forbes ranked Neymar as the seventh highest-paid athlete with earnings of $108 million.
January 2025: Considering Playing in Brazil and Contract Termination
In January 2025, Neymar expressed interest in playing for Flamengo or Santos in Brazil. Later that month, Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus stated Neymar could no longer perform at the expected level. On January 27, 2025, Al Hilal announced an agreement for the termination of his contract by mutual consent.
January 2025: Returning to Santos
In January 2025, Neymar returned to Santos.
January 2025: Neymar Announces Signing with Santos
On January 30, 2025, Neymar announced his return to Santos through social media, with the club confirming it the following day. He aims to regain top form for the 2026 World Cup.
March 2025: Neymar named in preliminary squad for national team
In March 2025, Neymar was named in the 29-man preliminary squad for the national team.
May 2025: Boxer Alleges Chris Eubank Jr. Owes Neymar Poker Debts
Around May 2025, boxer Conor Benn alleged at a press conference that his rival, Chris Eubank Jr., owed Neymar £4 million in poker debts.
June 12, 2025: Will Formalized Leaving Neymar $1 Billion
On June 12, 2025, a will was formalized by a deceased Brazilian billionaire, leaving Neymar over $1 billion, due to the billionaire's affinity with Neymar's relationship with his father.
October 2025: Messi surpasses Neymar's assist record
In October 2025, Lionel Messi surpassed Neymar's record of 58 international assists, reaching 60 assists in 195 matches. Neymar had achieved 58 assists in 127 matches.
2025: Neymar Ranked 25th Highest-Paid Athlete by Forbes
In 2025, Forbes ranked Neymar as the 25th highest-paid athlete with earnings of $76 million.
2025: Return to Santos and Contract Renewal
In 2025, Neymar returned in a Copa do Brasil match against CRB, converting his penalty in the shoot-out. On June 24, Santos announced Neymar's contract renewal until the end of the year. On July 16, he scored the winner against Flamengo.
2025: Neymar Responds to Criticism
In a 2025 interview, Neymar addressed claims that he didn't reach expected heights, citing injuries as a major setback but also expressing satisfaction with his achievements.
January 2026: Contract Extension with Santos
In January 2026, Neymar extended his contract with Santos until the end of the year.
2026: Aiming for 2026 World Cup
In January 2025, one of the reasons for Neymar returning to Santos was to regain top form ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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