Full History Of Neymar In Timeline From 1956

1956: Pelé's Career

In January 2025, Neymar announced he would be signing a contract with his first club, Santos. He will wear the number 10, the one that Pelé had worn during his time spent between 1956 and 1974.

1963: Santos' Copa Libertadores Triumph

In 1963, Santos' Copa Libertadores Triumph when Pelé was playing for the club.

1974: Pelé's Career

In January 2025, Neymar announced he would be signing a contract with his first club, Santos. He will wear the number 10, the one that Pelé had worn during his time spent between 1956 and 1974.

1978: Compared to Rivellino's transfer to Al Hilal

As a marquee signing, Neymar's transfer to Al Hilal in August 2023 drew comparisons to former Brazil international Rivellino's transfer to the club in 1978.

February 1992: Neymar's Birth

In February 1992, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, known as Neymar, was born. He is a Brazilian professional footballer known for his skills as a left winger, attacking midfielder, or forward, currently playing for Santos and the Brazil national team.

2003: Move to São Vicente and Santos

In 2003, Neymar and his family moved to São Vicente, where he played for Portuguesa Santista's youth side, before moving to Santos and joining their youth team later that year. This marked a significant step in his early football development.

2003: Joins Santos Youth Academy

In 2003, Neymar was offered a contract by Santos and joined their youth academy, marking the beginning of his journey with the club and his early development as a footballer.

2006: Kaká tops Champions League scoring list

In 2006, Kaká topped the Champions League scoring list, the last compatriot to do so before Neymar tied for the spot in 2015.

March 2009: Professional Debut

In March 2009, Neymar made his professional debut for Santos at the age of 17, marking the beginning of his senior career.

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 Quarterfinals

In May 2010, Neymar scored a goal in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals victory over Atletico-MG.

July 2010: Selection for Brazil Senior Team

In July 2010, Neymar was selected for the first time in the Brazil senior team for a friendly match against the United States.

August 2010: Debut and Goal for Brazil National Team

On August 10, 2010, at the age of 18, Neymar debuted for the Brazil national team, scoring a header in a 2–0 win against the United States.

September 2010: Penalty Dispute and Manager Sacking

In September 2010, during a league match against Atlético Goianiense, Neymar's reaction to manager Dorival Júnior's decision to appoint another player to take a penalty led to a dispute and the eventual sacking of the manager. The situation was that Neymar had missed a crucial penalty during the Copa do Brasil final that year, even if Santos went on to win.

November 2010: Sale of Future Transfer Fees

In November 2010, Santos sold a 5% share of Neymar's future transfer fees to Terceira Estrela Investimentos S.A. (TEISA), marking a financial agreement related to his future career.

December 2010: South American Footballer of the Year

In December 2010, Neymar came third for the 2010 South American Footballer of the Year, recognizing his talent and performance in South American football.

2010: Rapid Development and Five-Goal Game

In 2010, Neymar continued his rapid development, scoring five goals for Santos in a Brazilian Cup match, showcasing his growing talent and goal-scoring ability.

2010: Breakthrough Season

In 2010, Neymar had a breakthrough season, but he scored one less goal than in 2012.

2010: Premier League Interest

In 2010, Santos rejected bids from West Ham United and Chelsea for Neymar, with Neymar expressing his desire to become the best player in the world.

2010: Omission from the 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 because Dunga felt he was not tested enough at the international level.

March 2011: Privilege of Being on the Brazilian Team

In March 2011, Neymar expressed his happiness and privilege to be among the marvelous players on the Brazilian team.

March 2011: Signed Contract with Nike and Panasonic

In March 2011, Neymar signed an 11-year contract with Nike and a two-year contract with Panasonic.

March 2011: Goals and Racism Allegations Against Scotland

On March 27, 2011, Neymar scored twice against Scotland, and afterwards, he complained about racism after a banana was thrown onto the pitch, leading to controversy and denial from Scottish officials.

July 2011: Spectacular Goals Against Flamengo

In July 2011, Neymar scored two goals against Flamengo, including a spectacular solo dribble, which later won the 2011 FIFA Puskás Award.

September 2011: Real Madrid Interest and Contract Extension

In September 2011, reports of Real Madrid's interest in signing Neymar led to threats of FIFA action from Santos, and later Neymar agreed to a contract extension with Santos until after the 2014 World Cup.

2011: Copa Libertadores Win

In 2011, Neymar played a crucial role in helping Santos secure their first Copa Libertadores title in nearly 50 years, showcasing his talent on the continental stage.

2011: Scored FIFA Puskás Award Goal of the Year

In 2011, Neymar recounted his performance for Santos against Flamengo when he scored that year's FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year, which was featured in "The Making Of" series.

2011: Crucial Goals and Copa Libertadores Triumph

In 2011, Neymar scored crucial goals throughout the season, including in the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa Libertadores, where he helped Santos secure their first title since 1963. He also won man of the match honours.

2011: Leading Goal Scorer at South American Youth Championship and Copa América Participation

In 2011, Neymar was the leading goal scorer at the South American Youth Championship and participated in the Copa América, scoring goals but being eliminated in the quarter-finals.

2011: FIFA Puskás Award

In 2011, Neymar won the FIFA Puskás Award, recognizing his spectacular solo goal against Flamengo as the best goal of the year.

February 2012: 100th Professional Goal

In February 2012, Neymar scored his 100th goal as a professional football player, marking a significant milestone in his career.

April 2012: Hat-Trick Against São Paulo

In April 2012, Neymar scored a hat-trick against São Paulo, contributing to a 3-1 victory.

May 2012: Selected for Brazil Olympic Football Team

In May 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 Goals at the Olympics

In July 2012, Neymar was involved in both goals of a warm-up match against Great Britain and scored his first goal in Brazil's opening fixture against Egypt.

August 2012: Quarter-Final Goal and Olympic Final Loss

In August 2012, Neymar scored a penalty in the quarter-final against Honduras, helping Brazil to a victory, but Brazil lost the final to Mexico.

August 2012: Brace against Palmeiras

On August 25, 2012, Neymar scored a brace in the 2–1 away win at Palmeiras, contributing significantly to Santos' victory.

September 2012: First International Hat-Trick and Winner Against Argentina

In September 2012, Neymar scored his first full international hat-trick in a win over China and scored the winner against Argentina.

November 2012: Launched Personal Brand Logo

In November 2012, advertising agency Loducca created Neymar's personal brand logo, featuring N, J, and R (Neymar Junior) styled with Neymar's shirt number 11.

2012: Ranked Among World's Richest Players

In 2012, France Football ranked Neymar 13th in its list of the world's richest players, with total earnings of $18.8 million.

2012: Cameo in Sertanejo Music Video

In 2012, Neymar made cameo appearances in the music video for the sertanejo hit "Eu Quero Tchu, Eu Quero Tcha" by João Lucas & Marcelo.

2012: Featured on Pro Evolution Soccer Cover

In 2012, Neymar was featured on the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2012.

2012: Olympic Silver Medal

In 2012, Neymar won a silver medal at the Summer Olympics, contributing to Brazil's success on the international stage.

2012: Most Marketable Athlete

In 2012, SportsPro named Neymar the world's most marketable athlete, highlighting his global appeal and commercial value.

January 2013: Two goals against Sao Bernardo

On January 19, 2013, Neymar started the 2013 Campeonato Paulista scoring twice in the first match, which ended a 3–1 win over São Bernardo.

February 2013: Cover of Time Magazine

In February 2013, Neymar appeared on the cover of Time magazine, being the first Brazilian athlete to do so.

February 2013: Featured on Time Magazine Cover

In February 2013, Neymar was featured on the cover of Time magazine, titled 'The Next Pelé', drawing comparisons to the Brazilian legend.

April 2013: Appears 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 (called Neymar Jr.) as the main character.

May 2013: Named Most Marketable Athlete for Second Year

In May 2013, SportsPro magazine named Neymar as the most marketable athlete on the planet for the second consecutive year.

May 2013: Announcement of signing with Barcelona

On May 25, 2013, Neymar announced that he would sign with Barcelona on May 27, and join the team after playing in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

May 2013: Named Most Marketable Athlete

On May 8, 2013, SportsPro magazine named Neymar the most marketable athlete in the world. The same month, Neymar launched the Nike Hypervenom football boot.

July 2013: Unofficial debut for Barcelona

On July 30, 2013, Neymar made his unofficial debut for Barcelona in a pre-season friendly against Lechia Gdańsk.

2013: Appeared in Rap Music Video

In 2013, Neymar appeared on a rap music video, "País do Futebol" by MC Guimê.

2013: Joins Barcelona

In 2013, Neymar joined Barcelona and formed a formidable attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, known as MSN, marking a significant step in his career.

2013: Featured on Pro Evolution Soccer Cover

In 2013, Neymar was featured on the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 2013.

2013: Selection for 2013 Confederations Cup

In 2013, Neymar was selected for Brazil's squad for the Confederations Cup and was assigned the number 10 shirt.

2013: FIFA Confederations Cup Victory

In 2013, Neymar won the FIFA Confederations Cup with Brazil and was awarded the Golden Ball for his outstanding performance in the tournament.

2013: Ronaldinho Tipped Neymar on Becoming Best Player

In 2013, Ronaldinho stated that Neymar would become the best player in the world.

2013: Most Marketable Athlete

In 2013, SportsPro named Neymar the world's most marketable athlete for the second consecutive year.

2013: Last match for Santos

In 2013, ahead of his last match for Santos, Neymar was in tears during the national anthem, with the match ending in a draw.

2013: Arrival in Europe

The text references the fewest goals scored since Neymar arrived in Europe in 2013, marking a shift in his career trajectory due to injuries and inconsistency.

January 2014: Investigation of transfer fee and Rosell's resignation

In January 2014, the prosecutor's office in Madrid began investigating the transfer fee that Barcelona paid for Neymar, leading to Rosell's resignation as president on January 23, 2014.

March 2014: Hat-Trick and Interaction with Young Fan

In March 2014, Neymar scored a hat-trick in a friendly against South Africa and made headlines for inviting a young fan onto the pitch after the game.

June 2014: Appeared on Vogue Brazil Cover

In June 2014, Neymar appeared with supermodel Gisele Bündchen on the cover of Vogue's Brazilian edition.

September 2014: First goals of the 2014-15 season

On September 13, 2014, Neymar scored his first two goals of the 2014–15 season for Barcelona against Athletic Bilbao. On September 27, 2014, he scored a hat-trick against Granada.

October 2014: Four Goals Against Japan

In October 2014, Neymar scored four goals in a friendly against Japan, becoming the fifth-highest goalscorer for Brazil.

November 2014: Appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" Campaign

In November 2014, Neymar appeared in FIFA's "11 against Ebola" campaign with a selection of top football players.

2014: Starred in Beats Advertisement

In 2014, Neymar starred in an advert for Beats alongside other football stars, with the theme of 'The Game Before The Game'.

2014: Named in Brazil Squad for 2014 FIFA World Cup

In 2014, Neymar was named in the Brazil squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and was expected to lead the team to victory.

2014: FIFA World Cup Dream Team

In 2014, Neymar was named in the Dream Team for the FIFA World Cup, recognizing his contributions and performance during the tournament.

2014: Intention to leave for Europe

In 2014, Neymar's agent revealed that Neymar intended to leave for Europe before the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

2014: Contract Extension

Neymar agreed to a contract extension with Santos until after the 2014 World Cup.

January 2015: Goals and assists in January 2015

In January 2015, Neymar scored twice and assisted two more goals in a 6–0 win at Elche on January 24. On January 28, Neymar scored his 20th goal of the season in a 3–2 Copa del Rey quarter-final win over Atlético Madrid.

March 2015: High Social Media Ranking

In March 2015, Neymar had the fourth highest social media rank in the world among sportspeople, behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and David Beckham.

March 2015: Goal against France

In March 2015, Neymar scored Brazil's second goal in a 3–1 friendly win over France.

June 2015: Goal and Red Card at the 2015 Copa América

In June 2015, at the 2015 Copa América, Neymar scored against Peru but received a red card against Colombia, leading to a four-match ban.

2015: Ballon d'Or ranking

In 2015, Neymar finished in third place in the Ballon d'Or ranking, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2015: Third for FIFA Ballon d'Or

In 2015, Neymar finished third for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, acknowledging his status as one of the top footballers in the world.

2015: Champions League Semi-Final Goal

In May 2015, Neymar scored the last goal in a 3–0 win against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

2015: Copa del Rey Final goal and unsporting behavior accusation

On May 30, 2015, Neymar scored the second goal for Barcelona in the 2015 Copa del Rey Final. He was accused of unsporting behavior for performing tricks with the ball in the final stages of the game.

2015: Ballon d'Or Shortlist

On November 30, 2015, Neymar was shortlisted for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or alongside Messi and Ronaldo, and subsequently came third.

May 2016: Copa del Rey Final Goal

On May 22, 2016, Neymar scored a late goal in Barcelona's 2–0 extra time win over Sevilla in the 2016 Copa del Rey Final.

June 2016: Inclusion in Brazil's Squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics

In late June 2016, Neymar was included in Brazil's squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics on home soil and named team's captain.

2016: Contract Renewal

Barcelona claimed they were owed money that Neymar received as part of a renewal bonus when he signed a new contract in 2016.

2016: Ranked Fourth Most Famous Athlete

In 2016, ESPN ranked Neymar as the fourth most famous athlete in the world.

2016: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Neymar captained Brazil to their first Olympic gold medal in men's football at the Summer Olympics, marking a significant achievement in his international career.

February 2017: Heroic Role in Champions League Comeback

In February 2017, Neymar played a heroic role in Barcelona's comeback victory over PSG in the Champions League, scoring two goals and assisting the decisive goal.

April 2017: 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: Desire to leave Barcelona

In June 2017, Neymar informed his Barcelona teammates of his desire to leave the club at Messi's wedding.

July 2017: Speculation of Joining PSG

By July 2017, media speculation emerged that Neymar wanted to join PSG, with the club holding talks with Barcelona officials.

August 2017: Debut for PSG

On August 13, 2017, Neymar made his debut for PSG, scoring a goal and assisting another in a 3–0 victory over Guingamp.

August 2017: Neymar asks to leave Barcelona

On August 2, 2017, Neymar asked Barcelona to allow him to leave.

August 2017: Barcelona files lawsuit against Neymar

On August 27, 2017, Barcelona filed a lawsuit against Neymar, demanding he return the contract renewal bonus and pay damages.

August 2017: Payment of release clause

On August 3, 2017, Neymar's legal representatives paid €222 million to Barcelona, triggering his release clause and making it the most expensive transfer ever.

2017: Ballon d'Or and The Guardian Ranking

In 2017, Neymar finished in third place in the Ballon d'Or and was ranked the third-best footballer in the world by The Guardian.

2017: Ballon d'Or ranking

In 2017, Neymar finished in third place in the Ballon d'Or ranking, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2017: Third for FIFA Ballon d'Or & Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2017, Neymar finished third for the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the second time. In 2017, Time included him in its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2017: Record Transfer to PSG

In 2017, Neymar transferred to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) for a record-breaking €222 million, becoming the most expensive player in football history and seeking a more prominent role.

2017: 100th goal for Barcelona

In April 2017, Neymar scored his 100th goal for Barcelona and on May 27, he scored in the 2017 Copa del Rey Final.

2017: Wasted Potential

It was stated that Neymar wasted the best years of his career and that in 2017 he had 'the world at his feet' playing for Barcelona, throwing away his chance to join Pelé and Messi as a 'true legend of the game' by joining PSG.

February 2018: Fractured Metatarsal

On February 25, 2018, Neymar fractured the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during a match against Marseille.

May 2018: Named in Squad for 2018 World Cup

In May 2018, Neymar was named in Brazil's squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

June 2018: International Comeback and Goal

In June 2018, Neymar made his international comeback and scored a goal in a friendly win over Croatia. He also became Brazil's joint-third highest goalscorer.

June 2018: Contract End Date

Neymar signed a contract with Barcelona that would keep him at the club through June 2018.

August 2018: Scored PSG's opening league goal

In August 2018, Neymar scored Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) opening league goal of the 2018-19 season in a 3–0 win over Caen. He also scored from a penalty in a 3-1 win against Guingamp. The front three of Neymar, Mbappé and Cavani all scored in a 3-1 win over Angers.

2018: Ranked Third-Highest-Paid Footballer

In 2018, France Football ranked Neymar the third-highest-paid footballer in the world, earning €81.5m ($95m) for the year.

2018: Third-Highest-Paid Footballer

In 2018, France Football ranked Neymar the world's third-highest-paid footballer, reflecting his high earnings and market value.

2018: Criticism for Diving and "Neymar Challenge"

In 2018, Neymar faced criticism for excessive diving, leading to the viral "Neymar Challenge" during the World Cup. He was also the most fouled player in the top five leagues, drawing accusations of exaggerating injuries. Neymar later addressed the criticism, promising to improve his behavior.

2018: Pelé's Criticism of Neymar's Discipline

In 2018, Pelé criticized Neymar's lack of professional discipline, citing concerns about his lifestyle impacting his football career.

January 2019: Foot injury and UEFA ban

In late January 2019, Neymar suffered a foot injury, sidelining him from PSG's Champions League match against Manchester United. After PSG was eliminated, Neymar was banned by UEFA for three matches for insulting video review officials.

May 2019: Inclusion and Injury Before 2019 Copa América

In May 2019, Neymar was included in Brazil's squad for the 2019 Copa América but was ruled out due to an ankle injury in June.

July 2019: Absent from training

In July 2019, Neymar was absent from training with PSG, which led to disciplinary action from the club. Neymar expressed his desire to leave PSG.

July 2019: Rape Investigation Dropped

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

August 2019: Failed transfer back to Barcelona

In August 2019, Neymar offered to pay €20m to facilitate a move to Barcelona. On August 27th, Barcelona and PSG met to discuss Neymar's situation, but PSG refused Barcelona's offer. On August 30th, Neymar's offer to PSG was dismissed and he agreed to stay.

October 2019: 100th Match for Brazil

In October 2019, Neymar played his 100th match for Brazil in a friendly draw with Senegal.

2019: Ranked Fourth Most Famous Athlete

In 2019, ESPN again ranked Neymar the world's fourth most famous athlete.

2019: Ranked Third-Highest-Paid Athlete

In 2019, Forbes ranked Neymar the world's third-highest-paid athlete with earnings of $105 million for the year.

2019: Third-Highest-Paid Athlete

In 2019, Forbes ranked Neymar the world's third-highest-paid athlete, acknowledging his significant income from endorsements and salary.

2019: Appeared in "The Making Of" series and Film

In 2019, Neymar appeared in "The Making Of" series, documentaries which relives the significant games. Also in the film Neymar and the Line of King which covers Neymar's journey.

July 2020: Won Coupe de France Title

In July 2020, Neymar scored in PSG's first professional game back after the COVID-19 pandemic, a 1-0 win in the Coupe de France Final against Saint-Étienne. PSG also won the 2020 Coupe de la Ligue Final.

August 2020: Nike contract termination

In August 2020, Neymar's 11-year contract with Nike ended after a Nike employee made a sexual assault complaint against him.

September 2020: Tests Positive for COVID-19

In September 2020, Neymar tested positive for COVID-19 along with PSG teammates, reportedly after a vacation in Ibiza.

October 2020: Hat-Trick Against Peru

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.

2020: Fourth-Highest-Paid Athlete

In 2020, Forbes ranked Neymar as the world's fourth-highest-paid athlete.

2020: Champions League Final with PSG

In 2020, Neymar played a pivotal role in PSG's journey to their first Champions League final, further solidifying his status as a key player in the competition and becoming the highest-scoring Brazilian in the Champions League.

2020: Champions League Final Loss

In 2020, Neymar's PSG lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

June 2021: Goals and Assists at 2021 Copa América

In June 2021, at the 2021 Copa América, Neymar scored and assisted in Brazil's win over Venezuela, and scored again in a win over Peru.

August 2021: Messi signed for PSG, Neymar's first appearance of the season

In August 2021, Lionel Messi signed for PSG, becoming Neymar's teammate. Neymar made his first appearance of the season in a 2-0 win over Reims, with Messi debuting for the French club by replacing Neymar in the 66th minute.

September 2021: Brazil's All-Time Top Scorer in FIFA World Cup Qualification Matches

In September 2021, Neymar became Brazil's all-time top scorer in FIFA World Cup qualification matches, with 12 in total after scoring against Peru.

December 2021: Signed Deal with Facebook Gaming

In December 2021, Neymar signed a deal with Facebook Gaming.

2021: Copa América Runner-Up

In 2021, Neymar helped Brazil finish as runner-up in the Copa América and was jointly awarded Best Player, highlighting his influence and skill in the competition.

February 2022: Return from injury

In February 2022, Neymar returned from an ankle injury in a Champions League match against Real Madrid, assisting Mbappé's goal. He then returned to league play against Nantes, scoring a goal.

October 2022: Stand-out Player

By early October 2022, Neymar was considered one of the stand-out players in Europe. He had scored 11 goals and provided 9 assists in just 13 games. Manager Christophe Galtier praised Neymar for playing his best ever football in PSG.

November 2022: Named in Brazil Squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup

In November 2022, Neymar was named in the Brazil squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, entering the tournament in top form.

2022: Told He Was Not in Plans for Following Season

At the end of the 2022-23 season, Neymar and Marco Verratti were informed that they would not be in the team's plans for the following season.

2022: Appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

In 2022, Neymar appeared as a playable operator in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.

2022: Scoring in Three World Cups

In 2022, Neymar became the third Brazilian player to score in three World Cups, joining Pelé and Ronaldo, cementing his place in Brazilian football history.

2022: Endorsed Jair Bolsonaro in Presidential Election

In 2022, Neymar endorsed Jair Bolsonaro in a TikTok video leading up to the Brazilian presidential election, receiving criticism for his support.

2022: Supports Jair Bolsonaro in Brazilian general election

In 2022, Neymar supported Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in the Brazilian general election.

2022: Subject of Netflix Documentary

In 2022, Neymar was the subject of a Netflix documentary series titled Neymar: The Perfect Chaos.

2022: 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

In October 2020, Neymar scored a hat-trick in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Peru.

2022: Contract Length

Neymar joined PSG on a contract that would run until 2022.

February 2023: Neymar defends actions

In February 2023, Neymar defended himself, saying "It's my life, I do what I want."

March 2023: Season-ending surgery and fan protests

In March 2023, PSG announced that Neymar would undergo surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season. PSG supporters protested against the club's direction, insulting Neymar. Some individuals also demanded Neymar to leave the club.

August 2023: Transfer to Al Hilal

On August 15, 2023, Neymar completed a transfer to Al Hilal on a two-year contract for a reported fee of €90 million. He is reportedly being paid €150m a year.

September 2023: Top Goalscorer for Brazil and Injury

In September 2023, Neymar became Brazil's top goalscorer, surpassing Pelé. On October 17th, Neymar suffered a knee injury during Brazil's qualifying defeat to Uruguay.

September 2023: Debut for Al Hilal

In September 2023, Neymar made his club debut for Al Hilal, coming off the bench and providing an assist.

October 2023: First Goal

In October 2023, Neymar scored his first goal for Al Hilal. That same month, Neymar ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty.

2023: Marca Article on Dimming Star

In 2023, Marca wrote that "Neymar's star is dimming due to a seemingly endless string of injuries".

2023: Move to Al Hilal

In 2023, Neymar was sold by PSG to Al Hilal for €90 million, setting a Saudi Pro League record transfer, though his playing time was limited due to an ACL injury.

2023: Media reaction to transfer to Saudi Arabia

In 2023, after Neymar's move to Saudi Arabia, various media outlets referred to him as the 'Prince who never became King', while others defended his legacy as one of football's all-time greats.

2023: Potential Fine for Environmental Violations

In the summer of 2023, Neymar potentially faced a $1 million fine for environmental violations during the construction of his Mangaratiba mansion, including unauthorized waterway diversion and use of beach sand.

2023: Ballon d'Or nomination touted

Neymar's form in the first half of the season led him to be touted to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or.

January 2024: Deregistered from Al Hilal

In January 2024, Al Hilal deregistered Neymar due to his season-ending injury.

October 2024: Returned to Action

Neymar returned to action in October 2024 during Al Hilal's AFC Champions League match against Al Ain. However, he suffered a hamstring injury a few weeks later.

December 2024: Expecting Fourth Child

In December 2024, Neymar announced he is expecting his fourth child, a second daughter.

2024: Left out of Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa América

Neymar was left out of Brazil's squad for the 2024 Copa América because of a knee injury suffered in 2023.

January 2025: Returns to Santos

In January 2025, Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos, marking a return to where his professional career began.

January 2025: Contract Termination

In January 2025, Neymar was not registered for the league competition. On January 27, 2025, the club announced an agreement for the termination of his contract by mutual consent.

January 2025: Return to Santos

On January 30, 2025, Neymar announced he would be signing a contract with his first club, Santos. On January 31, 2025, Santos confirmed his return. He will wear the number 10, the one that Pelé had worn.

February 2025: Neymar's Re-Debut for Peixe

In February 2025, Neymar made his re-debut for Peixe as a substitute in a 1–1 draw against Botafogo-SP. Ten days later in February 2025, he scored his first goal after returning.

2026: 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

In September 2023, Neymar scored twice for Brazil in a 5–1 win over Bolivia in their opening match for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

History of Neymar in Timeline