Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Brazil national team.
Personal Information:
| Full name | Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior |
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| Date of birth | 5 February 1992 (age 25) |
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| Place of birth | Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil |
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| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
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| Playing position | Forward |
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Club Information
Current team
| FC Barcelona |
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| Number | 11 |
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Youth Career
| 1999–2003 | Portuguesa Santista |
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| 2003–2009 | Santos |
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Senior Career
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
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| 2009–2013 | Santos | 103 | (54) |
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| 2013– | Barcelona | 122 | (68) |
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National Team
| 2009 | Brazil U17 | 3 | (1) |
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| 2011 | Brazil U20 | 7 | (9) |
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| 2012–2016 | Brazil U23 | 14 | (8) |
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| 2010– | Brazil | 77 | (52) |
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Style of play
Neymar primarily
plays as either a central striker, second striker, winger or
occasionally as an attacking midfielder, and has been described as "a true phenomenon". He often plays as a left sided forward
for both club and country in the team's 4–3–3 formation, drifting infield, due
to his energetic pace and playmaking skills; this position allows him to
shoot with his stronger foot, or create chances for team-mates. Neymar's dribbling skills, tricks and
playmaking ability are reminiscent of compatriot Ronaldinho. His common traits
are his creativity, passing, finishing, dribbling, feints and
technique, being described as both "electric" and
"explosive". Although
naturally right-footed, he is capable of scoring with both feet, as well as
with his head, and is an accurate free-kick and penalty taker. He commented on his attributes saying:
"I'm always trying to perfect everything – dribbling, shooting, headers
and control. You can always improve". Neymar stated that he has been
inspired by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Wayne Rooney.
Comparisons
The media have often drawn comparisons between Neymar and Brazilian legend Pelé,as Neymar possesses similar attributes and also like Pelé came from the Santos Youth Academy and turned heads with his skill. Neymar has said that Pelé is his "role model" but also saying: "I don't like to make a comparison with Pelé". On 11 April 2012, during the celebrations for the 100 years of Santos, when asked by journalists about Lionel Messi, Pelé said he felt that Neymar was better: "Now everyone is talking about Messi; he is a star. But [to be the best ever] he must first become better than Neymar," Pelé said. "At the moment Messi is just more experienced."
Neymar's increasing reputation led both the media and former great players to draw comparisons between Neymar and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, which Neymar has commented on saying: "Messi is above everyone, there is no use comparing me with him. [...] He is the best player in the world and I always get inspired when I watch good football." Ronaldo stated: “Neymar is a great talent, the best we have in Brazil. He is very similar to Messi.”
Zico said: “I see Neymar like a [Cristiano] Ronaldo or a Messi, the type who appears and makes things happen.”After his hat-trick against Internacional 3–1 in Copa Libertadores and Messi's five goals scored in the Champions League, Neymar said: "I am a Messi fan. I was told what he did today. I support him to score a lot of nice goals so I can keep copying and imitating him.
Honours
Club
Santos
Barcelona
International
Brazil
Individual
Awards
