A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Neymar across different fields.
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer renowned for his exceptional skills, dribbling, playmaking, and finishing. He plays as a left winger, attacking midfielder, or forward. Considered one of the best players of all time, Neymar has achieved the distinction of scoring at least 100 goals for three different clubs: Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). He is also Brazil's all-time top goalscorer.
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.
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1963: Santos' Copa Libertadores Triumph
In 1963, Santos' Copa Libertadores Triumph when Pelé was playing for the club.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2012: Most Marketable Athlete
In 2012, SportsPro named Neymar the world's most marketable athlete, highlighting his global appeal and commercial value.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2013: Ronaldinho Tipped Neymar on Becoming Best Player
In 2013, Ronaldinho stated that Neymar would become the best player in the world.
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2013: Most Marketable Athlete
In 2013, SportsPro named Neymar the world's most marketable athlete for the second consecutive year.
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June 2014: Appeared on Vogue Brazil Cover
In June 2014, Neymar appeared with supermodel Gisele Bündchen on the cover of Vogue's Brazilian edition.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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2020: Fourth-Highest-Paid Athlete
In 2020, Forbes ranked Neymar as the world's fourth-highest-paid athlete.
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2022: Subject of Netflix Documentary
In 2022, Neymar was the subject of a Netflix documentary series titled Neymar: The Perfect Chaos.
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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.
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