 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior | ||
| Date of birth | 5 February 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) [1] | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Santos | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2009 | Santos | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2009– | Santos | 85 | (40) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2009 | Brazil U17 | 3 | (1) |
| 2011 | Brazil U20 | 7 | (9) |
| 2010– | Brazil | 15 | (8) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 December 2011.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2011 | |||
ABOUT NEYMAR
By the age of ten Neymar de Silva Santos Junior was already considered a rising star of the football world. Inspired by his father, Neymar has become a national hero and he’s still yet to reach 20.
His unforgettable performances on the pitch have earned him the adoration of the Brazilian fans and scoring within 28 minutes on his debut match for the national team did much to cement his place among the greats. He is often compared to legends Robinho and Pele and it’s believed he has already attracted generous bids from many European teams.
The young player signed with the Sao Paulo-based club Santos in 2003, being promoted to the first team aged 17. His debut match was in March 2009 against Oeste and the following week he scored his first goal with the team against Mogi Mirim.
Brazilian wonderkid Neymar wins 2011 goal of the year at Ballon d'Or Gala
Goal of the year: Neymar picks up his award on Monday night
Brazil and Santos forward Neymar was awarded the FIFA Puskas prize for the best goal of 2011 at the Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich on Monday night.
The supremely talented 19-year-old, who already has 15 caps for his country, beat off competition from Wayne Rooney's overhead kick scored against Manchester City in February to win the award.
The goal, which was scored in July for Santos against Flamengo, sees Neymar beat several defenders with an outrageous array of skills before delicately dinking the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.Lionel Messi's goal against Arsenal in the Champions League in March was also shortlisted.
(VIDEO) Santos vs Flamengo- Neymar wonder goal..
Goal of the year: Neymar picks up his award on Monday night
Santos: 5 European clubs say they want Neymar
SAO PAULO — Santos' president says five European clubs have contacted him to try to sign young Brazil striker Neymar.Luis Alvaro Ribeiro said late Monday that Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Anzhi Makhachkala of Russia are willing to pay the —45 million ($64 million) buyout clause in Neymar's contract. The president told the GloboEsporte.com website he has authorized them to contact the player's representatives to start negotiating.
"They will contact the player and will make their offer, but I'm still hopeful that Neymar will decline them," Ribeiro said. "It wouldn't be a good thing for him to leave now. The 2014 World Cup will be here, all eyes will be on Brazil. He can become an idol and move to Europe with a consolidated image."
Ribeiro did not give more details on the European clubs' offers, but said the 19-year-old striker wouldn't be losing too much financially by staying close to his family until his Santos contract expires after the 2014 World Cup.
Neymar has said recently that he is happy in Brazil and that it is extremely important for him to be near his friends and relatives.
"He earns a lot of money already," said Ribeiro, who uses several marketing actions to keep the player's salary competitive even to European standards. "There is no reason for him to leave now."
Ribeiro said this time the European clubs did the right thing by contacting Santos before going to the player's representatives. He said last year Chelsea went straight to Neymar to make a —35 million ($50 million) offer that was eventually rejected by the player. At the time, Santos made an official complaint to FIFA.
Neymar is touted as a future star of the national team and is expected to lead Brazil to the title when it hosts the World Cup three years from now.
He is in Argentina with Brazil, preparing for the Copa America starting on Friday.
Last week, he helped Santos win its third Copa Libertadores title, the team's first in Latin America's most important club competition since the Pele era in the 1960s.
If he stays, he will have a chance to play with the Brazilian club in FIFA's Club World Cup in December. Barcelona has also qualified as European champion.
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