Neymar Jr

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Neymar made his professional debut with Santos in 2009 and soon emerged as a teenage sensation. In 2011, he led Santos to the Copa Libertadores title and was named the tournament's best player. After attracting interest from Europe's top clubs, Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013, where he was part of the MSN attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. He finished as the joint top scorer in the UEFA Champions League and the joint top scorer in the Copa del Rey as Barcelona completed the continental treble in 2014–15. At the age of 23, Neymar was viewed as one of the world's three best players, alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. After four seasons, Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 in a world-record €222 million transfer. Despite becoming injury-prone, he remained PSG's talisman and was vital to Ligue 1 title wins in 2017–18, 2019–20 and 2022–23, but failed to win the Champions League, with PSG finishing as runners-up in 2020 and being eliminated in the 2020–21 semi-finals. As one of the club's all-time top goalscorers, he is one of the few players to have scored over 100 goals with three clubs. In 2023, he joined Saudi club Al-Hilal before returning to Santos in January 2025.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over the packed pitch as the manager checked the squad screen. Neymar Jr was on the bench, morale slightly dipped after missing training. With ten minutes left and a draw hanging tight, the decision was made to bring him on. He touched the ball once, twice, weaving through three defenders with impossible grace. The crowd roared in the simulation's audio engine as he curled the shot into the top corner, securing a victory that felt earned by pure skill.

Reader's Guide

Neymar Jr serves as a high-risk, high-reward asset in any squad within the Football Manager simulation. His technical attributes are among the highest available globally, featuring exceptional dribbling and finishing capabilities that can unlock stubborn defenses instantly. However, managers must carefully weigh his significant wage demands against potential injury risks that can sideline him for months during a season. His morale is particularly sensitive to playing time and team performance, requiring consistent communication from the manager to maintain happiness levels. While he thrives in possession-based systems where space exists, his defensive contribution varies based on tactical instructions. Securing him often requires a substantial budget transfer or loan deal, making him a priority target for elite clubs. For opponents facing him, marking him tightly is crucial due to his unique ability to create chances from nothing. His career arc typically involves peak performance years followed by physical decline if not managed carefully around the clock.

Did You Know?

• Neymar is both the all-time top goalscorer (80) and assist provider (59) for the Brazil national team.
• He was recognised as the best player in Europe for three consecutive seasons from 2016–17 to 2018–19 according to performance tracking data.
• Neymar joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 in a world-record €222 million transfer.
• He won the 2011 FIFA Puskás Award for a spectacular solo dribble goal against Flamengo.
• Neymar led Brazil to an Olympic gold medal in 2016 — the nation's first — and a silver medal in 2012.