Top 8 Memorable Moments in Neymar’s Career

The 32-year-old Brazilian striker surely has plenty of memorable moments in his career. Neymar started playing for Santos when he was only 7, showing already a very promising talent. His father was also a professional footballer and followed each step of the son’s career. When he was 14, his talent was already big enough to attract the attention of Real Madrid, and the Brazilian club had to invest more to keep one of its biggest names.

Betting on Neymar (And Much More)

When Neymar is playing, betting that he’ll score a goal is nearly a sure bet. He scored more than 400 goals over his career, and the numbers keep on rising. Paris Saint-Germain is the club that most benefited from Neymar’s talent: the striker scored 77 goals while wearing the blue jersey. 
That’s why it’s very easy to find sports betting platforms broadcasting Neymar’s games live. Alternatively, fans can try a bbl live match today when the legend isn’t in action. Currently, he’s playing for the Saudi club Al-Hilal, and he has just recently recovered from an injury layoff. Rumours about a transfer to Corinthians have been dispelled by the player, despite Memphis Depay’s invitations.

Top 8 Memorable Moments

At age 32, Neymar is still at the peak of his physical performance, and retirement isn’t even remotely in sight. It means it’s not a definitive list, as it wouldn’t be possible to mention all of his achievements here, and certainly, there’s more to come. Still, here are some of the defining moments in Neymar’s biography. 

The Puskas Award

The young Neymar started playing at Santos’ main squad with a strong nickname: “the new Pelé.” The nickname surely wasn’t unfounded, as he started off baffling fans and enemies. The Puskas Award is given to the most beautiful goal of the year, and Neymar would win that before turning 20. In 2011, Santos played a match against Flamengo, then defended by Ronaldinho Gaucho. The match ended 3×0 for Santos, one of which was the Puskas Award winner that year. Who scored it? You guessed it right.

Brazil’s Record-Breaking Scorer

Neymar’s career could have started at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but the then-coach, Dunga, thought he was too young for such a challenge. Brazil didn’t go too far at that World Cup, leaving the competition in the quarter-finals. Later in the same year, Brazil played a friendly match against the United States, and that was the first appearance with the Canarinho jersey. So far, Neymar is the second all-time top scorer in the competition, behind Cafu. 

Top South American Player

In 2011, Neymar played his first Copa Libertadores with Santos, a team that had not won the competition since Pelé. Neymar broke the title fast, scoring six goals during the competition and displaying a superb performance. Indeed, only the likes of Pelé, Romario, and Diego Maradona managed to win a Copa Libertadores back-to-back, as the Brazilian striker did. 

 

Santos reached the final at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, but Barcelona thrashed the Brazilian club, losing by 4×0. Still, he was named the player of the year and joined Barcelona two years later.

The Spanish Treble

In 2014, Neymar was already playing in Barcelona, and that was a fantastic season. It’s not surprising, considering its “MSN” attack: Messi, Suarez, and Neymar. The dream team surpassed the previous mark set by Real Madrid’s trio, which was made by Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Higuain. During that season, the club won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, turning Neymar into the only player to win both Copa Libertadores and the Champions League. 

 

The Most Expensive Player in the Sport

Neymar was already a legend when he moved to PSG in 2017. The French side acquired Neymar for no less than GBP 185 million (nearly USD 220 million), which is the most expensive player ever. Not even Kylian Mbappé has cost the club more. Brilliant performances like the ones during 2019/20 propelled the striker to the top of the world and kept him there. 

The French Quadruple

Neymar won nearly every Ligue 1 while playing with PSG, but the 2019/20 season was something else. He won the Ligue 1, the Coupe de la Ligue, the Coupe de France, the Trophee des Champions, and nearly won the Champions League. Neymar’s and PSG’s performances were flawless in the competition up to the final with Bayern Munich, against which they lost by a hard-fought 1×0 score. 

Best Brazilian Player in a Champions League

The Champions League has seen some of the finest players ever produced by Brazilian football: Rivaldo, Romario, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Ronaldo Nazario. Neymar shook the nets 43 times in the Champions Leagues, which he disputed before moving to Saudi football. Mathematically, Vinicius Junir is a strong contender to break the record, which will remain fantastic, nevertheless.

Olympic Gold Medal

Neymar’s first FIFA World Cup came in 2014, and Brazil played a traumatizing final against Germany, losing by 7×1. Still, he played a vital role in getting the squad up to the final. Two years later, the striker would finally get over that World Cup in revenge against Germany in the 2016 Olympic Games. The tense match went to extra-time and then penalties, and obviously, Neymar left his mark, scoring the opening goal and another one during the penalties. It was the first time Brazil won a gold medal in the Olympic Games.

The Next Steps

Neymar’s contract with the Saudi Al-Hilal goes until 2025, and his agent doesn’t seem interested in Brazilian clubs meanwhile. Fans have hoped he would eventually come back to his home club, Santos, but the possibility has already been ruled out. Rumours also pointed to Palmeiras, Corinthians, and other clubs, none of which have been confirmed. 

 

Al-Hilal paid top dollar to PSG for his transfer: USD 96 million, more precisely. According to Pini Zahavi, the player’s agent, nothing is being negotiated, and there are no movements in sight. Zahavi mocks the rumours: “I don’t know where these recent rumours are coming from.” Will it stay that way until 2025?

Sources: goal.com