Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior 

(Portuguese pronunciation: [nejˈmaʁ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈsɐt̃ us ˈʒũɲoʁ]; born 5

February 1992), commonly known as Neymar or Neymar Jr., is a Brazilian
professional footballer who plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona and is the captain for theBrazil
national team. He plays as a forward or winger.

At the age of 19, Neymar won the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year award, after coming
third in 2010.[5] He followed this up by winning it again in 2012. In 2011 Neymar received nominations
for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, where he came 10th, and the FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year,
which he won.[6] He is known for his acceleration, dribbling skills, finishing and ability with both feet.
His playing style has earned him critical acclaim, with fans, media and former players drawing
comparison to former Brazil forward Pelé, who has called Neymar "an excellent player",
while Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi have stated "he will be the best in the world".[7][8][9][10][11]

Neymar joined Santos in 2003 and, after rising through the ranks, was promoted to their first team
squad. He made his debut for Santos in 2009 and was voted the Best Young Player of the 2009
Campeonato Paulista. Further awards followed, with Neymar being voted best player as Santos won
the 2010 Campeonato Paulista, and also being top scorer in the 2010 Copa do Brasil with 11 goals.
He finished the 2010 season with 42 goals in 60 games, as his club achieved the Double. Neymar
was again voted best player of the year in 2011 as Santos retained the state title and also won
the 2011 Copa Libertadores in which Neymar scored six goals in 13 appearances. He also played a
key role in securing a Continental Double, Santos' first since 1963. Neymar received the Bronze Ball
in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, with Santos reaching the final, where they were defeated 4–0
by Barcelona.[12]

Neymar has represented Brazil at Under-17, Under-20 and senior levels. On 10 August 2010, at the

age of 18, he made his debut for the Seleção in a friendly match against the United States; he
scored from a header in the 28th minute, contributing to Brazil's 2–0 win. Neymar was the top scorer
of the 2011 South American Youth Championship with nine goals, including two in the final, in the 6–
0 win against Uruguay, helping Brazil to win their eleventh title in the competition. Neymar was
selected as part of Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad for the 2013 Confederations Cup on home soil.
For the tournament he was assigned the iconic number 10shirt. On 30 June, Neymar scored Brazil's
second goal in the 3–0 final win over Spain. Neymar's performances saw him awarded thegolden
ball for the best player of the tournament.[13] At the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Neymar scored four goals
before he suffered a fractured vertebra in his spine in the quarter-finals and missed the rest of the
tournament. He received the Bronze Boot as the tournament's third top goalscorer, and was named
in the World Cup All Star XI.

With 43 goals in 62 matches for Brazil, Neymar is the fifth highest goalscorer for his national team.
[14]
 In 2012 and 2013, SportsPronamed him the most marketable athlete in the world.[15] In December
2013 he was ranked by The Guardian as the sixth best player in the world.[16]
 Neymar with Brazil in 2014

Personal information

Full name Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior[1]

Date of birth 5 February 1992 (age 23)[1]

Place of birth Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil[1]

Height 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)[note 1][4]

Playing position Forward / Winger

Club information

Current team Barcelona

Number 11

Youth career

1999–2003 Portuguesa Santista

2003–2009 Santos

Senior career*

Years Team Apps† (Gls)†

2009–2013 Santos 103 (54)

2013– Barcelona 59 (31)

National team‡

2009 Brazil U17 3 (1)

2011 Brazil U20 7 (9)

2012 Brazil U23 7 (4)

2010– Brazil 62 (43)

Honours[show]

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic

league only and correct as of 18:05, 24 May 2015 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:17, 29 March

2015 (UTC)