Neymar

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Neymar (内马尔)
Alias(es)	Ney; Sao Paulo State Twin Star; Brazil Twin Star 2 9 113
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Brazil national team; Manchester City; formerly Santos FC and Barcelona 24 453 567
Occupation/Role	Professional footballer; left winger / forward 91 567
Residence	Owns homes in Manchester and Mangaratiba, Brazil. 453 676
Family	Father of Lucas, also rendered as Luka. 453 676
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 1: What the F** 1

Background

In 2011, nineteen-year-old Neymar was Santos FC's standout youth prospect when he faced fifteen-year-old Chen Anno's São Paulo youth side. Neymar scored a hat-trick, but Anno scored four in São Paulo's 4–3 victory. The match began their rivalry and lasting friendship. 2 158

Local media dubbed the pair the Sao Paulo State Twin Stars. After Anno abruptly left Brazil for China, Neymar remained aware of his return and welcomed him back as his “brother,” already imagining them conquering Europe together. 2 9

After moving to Barcelona, Neymar initially struggled to adapt to life in Spain and missed Anno's company. During their calls, he alternately imagined Anno joining Barcelona, facing Messi, or moving to Real Madrid, reflecting both his homesickness and his desire to share the European stage with his friend. 10

Club Career

Period	Club	Career developments
Youth career	Santos FC	Trained with Santos's first team while still a youth player; his youth-team hat-trick against São Paulo preceded his friendship with Anno. 158
Early senior career	Santos FC	Won the Copa Libertadores, Libertadores Golden Boot, and Brazil Player of the Year before moving to Europe. 24
Barcelona	Barcelona	Joined Barcelona after establishing himself in Brazil; initially had to contend with Messi's central role and the competition for first-team places. 1 24
Barcelona	Barcelona	Demonstrated his ability to carry the attack in Messi's absence, scoring twice off the bench against Atlético Madrid in a decisive 2–0 win. 160
Departure from Barcelona	—	Left partly because Barcelona repeatedly delayed payment of his bonuses. 533
Manchester City	Manchester City	Became a Manchester City player and flourished on the left wing under Guardiola, with his goals and assists increasing. 453 567
Manchester City	Manchester City	Produced 13 goals and eight assists across his first 18 league matches of the campaign, forming one of City's most dangerous partnerships with Kevin De Bruyne. 507
Manchester City	Manchester City	In later matches against Liverpool, created Agüero's opening goal from De Bruyne's pass and repeatedly tormented Liverpool's full-backs with his dribbling; he scored a curled solo goal after cutting inside from the right against Andy Robertson. 719 720 721
Manchester City	Manchester City	Participated in a disguised free-kick routine against Liverpool, stepping over the ball to conceal De Bruyne's ensuing delivery. 724

Brazil National Team

Tournament / Match	Contribution
2013 Confederations Cup	Helped Brazil defeat Spain 3–0 in the final. He finished the competition with four goals, two assists, and four Man of the Match awards in five matches. 19
South Korea friendly	Started on the left in Brazil's front three alongside central forward Anno. He scored after Anno chose to pass rather than complete a hat-trick himself. 91 94
2014 World Cup — Croatia	Scored a hat-trick in Brazil's 4–1 opening-match victory; Anno supplied three assists. 216
2014 World Cup — Cameroon	Scored twice as Brazil recorded five goals; he and Anno each scored a brace. 224
2014 World Cup — Colombia	Scored five goals in Brazil's 7–1 quarter-final win, while Anno provided three assists. 237 239
2018 World Cup qualifiers	Continued forming Brazil's attacking core with Anno, including an assist for Anno's goal against Argentina at Mineirão. 493 494
2018 World Cup qualifiers — Anno's captaincy debut	Won and converted a penalty before supplying the cross for Anno's headed goal in Brazil's 3–0 first-half lead. 455
2018 World Cup preparations	At the peak of his career, he seeks to restore Brazil and samba football to glory by helping the national team win its seventh World Cup. 769

Personality

Neymar is flamboyant, playful, and intensely competitive. He teases Anno over looks, cars, football, and status, but takes their shared ambitions seriously—particularly his desire to prove himself at Barcelona and challenge Messi's position. 39 56 158

He enjoys nightlife, parties, gaming, expensive cars, and crowded social settings. Despite his reputation for having fun off the pitch, Anno considers him capable of separating leisure from work and giving everything once a match begins. 96 121 158 217

His loyalty to Anno is especially consistent. He celebrates Anno's successes, accepts his tactical advice, publicly defends him after dangerous fouls, and credited him directly after winning the Ballon d'Or. 25 94 341 599

Although he remains pleasure-oriented, Neymar takes his physical preparation seriously when it concerns his career. After receiving Anno's guidance on self-protection, he began practicing the Five Elements Fist exercises for an hour each morning and reported improved reaction speed and coordination. 94 552

Neymar is also a natural showman who uses celebrations to heighten a rivalry. After scoring against Liverpool, he danced with Mbappé and Agüero while deliberately facing Anno, then winked and gave his friend a thumbs-up. 721

Appearance

Neymar favors a conspicuous, fashion-conscious presentation both on and off the pitch.

• Wore newly highlighted hair during Brazil's Seoul tour. 91
• Appeared at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in a bright blue suit with an open collar and white boutonniere. 340 341
• Wore a new pair of golden boots for Barcelona's Copa del Rey match against Atlético Madrid at Camp Nou. 348
• Arrived at Anno's home in a fluorescent green Lamborghini, floral shirt, beach shorts, exaggerated sunglasses, and strong cologne. 647
• Owns a large Manchester mansion, several luxury cars, and a private gaming room. 453
• His Mangaratiba mansion includes a private yacht, an extensive entertainment floor, a go-kart track, two swimming pools, and an underground garage. 676

Abilities & Skills

Dribbling and Wing Play

Neymar is a high-level dribbler who uses feints, close control, and sudden acceleration to destabilize defenders.

• Broke Liverpool's two-man trap by feinting outside, cutting inside, and accelerating through the gap. 603
• His dribbling and movement on Barcelona's left wing were later identified by fans as an element the club lacked after his departure. 567
• Can drive forward in combination play rather than relying solely on individual carries. 220 493
• Escaped Liverpool's Clyne and Henderson with a Marseille Turn before forcing a save with his shot. 509
• Repeatedly unbalanced Andy Robertson with stepovers, shoulder feints, and changes of direction before curling a left-footed strike into the far corner. 720 721

Finishing and Off-Ball Movement

He is an elite scorer who attacks space quickly and finishes one-on-one opportunities with composure.

• Scored a World Cup-opening hat-trick against Croatia. 216
• Completed a five-goal performance against Colombia in the World Cup quarter-finals. 238 239
• Made a late run into Colombia's penalty area to convert an Anno-assisted chance and complete a hat-trick before half-time. 236
• Demonstrated his ability to lead an attack without Messi by scoring twice as a substitute against Atlético Madrid in Barcelona's decisive 2–0 victory. 160

Combination Play with Chen Anno

Neymar's understanding with Anno is Brazil's defining attacking partnership.

• Combined with Anno for Brazil's first World Cup goal against Croatia, then celebrated with a samba dance alongside the entire team. 213
• Received Anno's backheel assist for his fourth goal against Colombia. 237
• Produced rapid one-twos with Anno against Argentina, their exchanges described as carrying the rhythm of samba football. 493 494

Combination Play at Manchester City

Under Guardiola, Neymar became a central part of Manchester City's fluid attack, particularly through his connection with Kevin De Bruyne.

• His movement and De Bruyne's distribution were identified as Manchester City's most dangerous attacking weapon. 507
• Set up Agüero's first-time finish after De Bruyne played a low, curving pass through Liverpool's defense. 719
• Created chances through quick layoffs and cutbacks rather than limiting himself to individual dribbles. 720
• Can act as a decoy in rehearsed set-piece plays, as shown when he stepped over a free kick for De Bruyne's delivery against Liverpool. 724

Physical Preparation and Self-Protection

Neymar learned from Anno that he must be aware of nearby opponents before receiving the ball and anticipate tackles from blind-side positions.

• Accepted Anno's instruction on protecting himself after being repeatedly fouled by South Korea. 92 94
• Practices Anno's Five Elements Fist exercises daily to improve flexibility, reactions, and coordination. 552

Accolades

• 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner — received 31.2% of the vote, finishing eight votes ahead of runner-up Chen Anno. 341
• World Cup winner and World Cup Golden Boot recipient. 341
• UEFA Champions League winner with Barcelona. 341
• Confederations Cup winner with Brazil. 19
• Former Copa Libertadores winner, Libertadores Golden Boot winner, and Brazil Player of the Year with Santos. 24

Relationships

• Chen Anno — Best friend, “brother,” long-time rival, and Brazil attacking partner. Their friendship began after their 2011 youth match, and Neymar publicly thanked Anno for helping him win the Ballon d'Or. Their club-level clashes have not diminished their affection or playful competitiveness. Neymar has also declared himself the godfather of Anno's unborn son and promised the child a Ferrari. 158 341 357 721 747
• Bruna Marquezine — His girlfriend during the São Paulo period; her actress friends attended Neymar's nightclub gathering. Their relationship is later described as on-and-off. 19 453
• Lionel Messi — Former Barcelona teammate and fellow 2014 Ballon d'Or finalist. Neymar played a supporting role beside Messi early in his Barcelona career, while later aiming to challenge him. 24 158 341
• Gabriel Jesus — Younger Brazilian player who accompanied Neymar to visit Anno; Jesus appeared visibly nervous around Anno, while Neymar acted casually at his friend's home. 647
• Kylian Mbappé — Manchester City teammate and attacking partner. The two joined Agüero in a provocative dance celebration after Neymar scored against Liverpool. 719 721
• Lucas/Luka — Neymar's eldest son, whom he had as a teenager and who occasionally stays at Neymar's Manchester home. 453 676
• Luiz Felipe Scolari — Brazil coach who trusted Neymar and Anno as the core of a new Samba-style attack. 93 94

Notable Quotes

“Without you, I could never have stood here.” — to Chen Anno after winning the Ballon d'Or 341

“Still... Anno, to be honest, I'm not that ambitious about those honors. Winning it once would be enough for me. I'm personally more interested in enjoying life.” 89

“Money's just a bastard. Spend it, then go earn more. What we chase in this life is freedom—just do whatever makes you happy.” 676

Trivia

• Neymar gifted Anno custom Hublot watches engraved for Anno and Nicolas, plus novelty “Twin Stars” underwear intended as good-luck charm for a Champions League final. 648
• During Brazil's 2014 World Cup camp, he entertained teammates by playing CS:GO in the squad's esports room. 217
• He is skilled at Texas Hold'em and impressed Anno during their vacation in China. 158
• He owns a Phenom 100 business jet for travel within Brazil. 675
• His Mangaratiba estate covers roughly 10,000 square meters and includes a private nightclub, eight home theaters, a wine cellar, and a garage housing twenty-five supercars, including a Batman replica car. 675 676
• He promised to give a Ferrari to Chen Anno's unborn son as the child's self-appointed godfather. 747