Neymar Jr: Inheritance, Net Worth, and Career Downfall

Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior ·
Date of birth: 5 February 1992 ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Position: Forward ·
Current club: Santos FC

The key facts about Neymar’s biography, from name to net worth, are collected below.

Who left $1 billion to Neymar?

In September 2025, multiple outlets reported that an unnamed Brazilian businessman had named Neymar as the sole heir to a fortune worth roughly $1 billion. The story, first covered by VnExpress International, said the will was authenticated at a notary office in Porto Alegre and referenced June 12 as the execution date.

Origins of the billion-dollar rumor

• The will allegedly cited a childless, single businessman who admired Neymar’s family devotion (Ground News (news aggregator)).
• Brazilian civil law follows a forced-heirship system: 50% of an estate must go to a spouse or children, while the remaining half can be left freely (VnExpress International).
• People close to Neymar doubted the validity of the will and had not received official documents (beIN SPORTS (sports broadcaster)).
• The Sun reported that the will was registered at a notary office in Rio Grande do Sul and described the estate as including properties, investments, and shares in major companies (The Sun (UK publication)).
• Brazilian newspaper Tribuna de Minas emphasized that there was no official evidence Neymar would receive the reported amount (VnExpress International).

Neymar’s actual net worth according to Forbes

Forbes has reported on Neymar’s financial situation in the context of estate planning, noting that when a person dies without a will, assets pass by intestacy rather than to a chosen celebrity. The reported inheritance would also be subject to Brazilian court approval before Neymar could legally receive the assets (The Standard (Hong Kong newspaper)). The inheritance story remains unverified, and Neymar’s known net worth — estimated at around $200 million — is far below the rumored $1 billion.

The catch: even a notarized will would still face Brazilian probate, and no court has confirmed a payout.

What led to Neymar’s downfall?

Neymar’s career trajectory has been marked by extraordinary highs and frustrating lows. His 2017 world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for €222 million set expectations that have been partly unmet due to injuries, World Cup disappointments, and off-field controversies.

Injury setbacks and their impact

• In 2023, Neymar suffered a torn ACL that sidelined him for months, forcing him to miss the rest of the season (VnExpress International).
• The injury added to a history of foot and ankle problems that limited his playing time at PSG and Al Hilal (ESPN).

World Cup disappointments (2018, 2022)

• Brazil’s quarterfinal exits in 2018 and 2022 increased criticism of Neymar’s leadership and fitness (ESPN).
• In 2022, Brazil was eliminated by Croatia on penalties, with Neymar scoring in extra time but failing to carry the team further (ESPN).

Off-field controversies and transfer decisions

• High-profile moves to PSG and later Al Hilal raised questions about his career strategy (VnExpress International).
• Legal issues, including a tax case in Spain, have followed him. Spain’s Supreme Court upheld his acquittal in April 2026 in the Barcelona transfer fraud case (ESPN).

The pattern: record wages did not insulate Neymar from injuries, early World Cup exits, or the reputational cost of his transfers.

How many kids does Neymar have?

Neymar has two children: son Davi Lucca (born 2011) with ex-partner Carol Dantas, and daughter Mavie (born 2023) with Bruna Biancardi. The births and co-parenting arrangements have been public, with Neymar frequently sharing moments on social media.

• Davi Lucca: born 24 August 2011 (VnExpress International).
• Mavie: born 6 October 2023 (beIN SPORTS).

The implication: Neymar’s family life is a recurring public theme, and both children are already part of the celebrity narrative around him.

Is Neymar richer than Ronaldo?

No. Cristiano Ronaldo’s estimated net worth of $600 million (Forbes 2024) is significantly higher than Neymar’s $200 million. Even using more recent estimates, Ronaldo’s wealth is reported at around $1.2 billion, placing him among the richest active athletes (Gentosha Gold Online).

Three rich footballers, one clear pattern: Ronaldo leads, followed by Messi, then Neymar.

The implication: Neymar’s wealth, while substantial, trails football’s two dominant figures. The inheritance rumor, if true, would change that — but it remains unverified.

Who is the no. 1 richest footballer?

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as the richest footballer, with a net worth that Forbes estimates at $600 million. The same source places Messi at $400 million and Neymar at $200 million. However, no single definitive source exists for all three, and valuations vary by outlet.

• Ronaldo’s income from clubs (Real Madrid, Juventus, Al Nassr) and endorsements (Nike, CR7 brand) is unmatched (Gentosha Gold Online).
• Messi’s earnings from Barcelona, PSG, Inter Miami and Adidas partnership are also in the billions over his career (Gentosha Gold Online).
• Neymar’s PSG contract and Al Hilal move made him one of the highest-paid, but his net worth remains lower (Forbes).

What this means: the only scenario in which Neymar surpasses Ronaldo and Messi depends on an inheritance that remains legally unproven.

Timeline of Neymar’s career setbacks

• 2009 – Makes professional debut for Santos FC (ESPN).
• 2013 – Transfers to FC Barcelona for €57.1 million (VnExpress International).
• 2017 – Moves to Paris Saint-Germain for world-record €222 million (VnExpress International).
• 2022 – Brazil eliminated in World Cup quarterfinals; Neymar fails to deliver (ESPN).
• 2023 – Suffers torn ACL, out for rest of season; moves to Al Hilal (VnExpress International).
• 2025 – Returns to Santos FC on loan after Al Hilal contract termination; announces international retirement (later retracted) (VnExpress International).

The through-line: since 2017, record earnings have run parallel to recurring injuries and unresolved career questions.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Born on 5 February 1992 in Brazil (ESPN).
• Professional footballer, forward (ESPN).
• Has two children: Davi Lucca and Mavie (beIN SPORTS).
• Played for Santos, Barcelona, PSG, Al Hilal, and returned to Santos (VnExpress International).

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth figures vary between Forbes, Bloomberg, and other outlets (Forbes).
• The $1 billion inheritance claim has no verified source (VnExpress International).
• Future club plans and international retirement status are uncertain (VnExpress International).
• The final legal outcome of the reported will is not confirmed in later coverage (The Standard).

The distinction matters: confirmed biography is easy to verify; the inheritance story is not.

Key quotes and perspectives

People close to Neymar doubted the validity of the will and had not received official documents.

— beIN SPORTS, citing unnamed sources close to the player

When a person dies without a will, assets pass by intestacy according to state law, rather than to a chosen celebrity beneficiary.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes contributor

The pattern emerging from Neymar’s story is one of extraordinary talent meeting a series of missteps and misfortunes. For Brazilian football fans, the question is whether his return to Santos FC will revive his career or mark the final chapter of a legacy that could have been greater.

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Frequently asked questions

For Neymar, the bottom line is a consequence, not a fantasy: his verified wealth is real, but the billion-dollar inheritance remains unproven.