NEYMAR is finally on the brink of a sensational £196million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain after weeks of speculation.
But just how did the Brazilian superstar get to this point?
Born in the town of Mogi das Cruzes in Sao Paulo on February 5, 1992, Neymar da Silva Santos Junior burst onto the international football scene playing for Santos.
After lighting up South America – winning a host of personal and team awards – he sealed a move to Spanish giants Barcelona… but the switch was shrouded in controversy.
After snubbing moves to West Ham and Chelsea, Neymar‘s father Neymar Santos Snr took over as his son’s agent.
It’s then the Brazil star left Santos for Barcelona – but both the player and his dad faced corruption charges related to compensation owed to Brazilian investment group DIS.
The group were reportedly entitled to 40 per cent of Neymar‘s transfer fee three years ago – only to be handed a much smaller compensation sum.
However, despite all the controversy throughout his time in La Liga, the Brazil international has cemented himself as one of world football’s biggest stars.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Yet it’s not just his unquestionable skill on the ball that’s grabbed the headlines during his time in Catalonia.
Neymar’s personal life is always in the limelight, from the glitz and glamour of his private jets to the love he holds for his family.
The 25-year-old has one son – Davi Lucca – with former flame Carolina Dantas.
On the birth, Neymar emotionally revealed: "I cried when I learned that I would be his father.
"At first, I felt fear. Then joy. It is a new responsibility and I am now enjoying it."
Neymar also famously dated actress Bruna Marquezine in an on-off relationship and were seen as Brazil's answer to Posh and Becks.
They dated for years back in their home country before splitting up in 2014 citing distance and lack of time together as a problem, only to get back together not long after.
However, earlier this year, they "officially" called time on their relationship.
Speaking to reporters at a charity event in Sao Paulo, he said: “I do not like to talk about personal things.
“But yes, me and Bruna are separated. It's a decision we have taken. It was a decision of both parties.
"Bruna is a girl I admire a lot and I hope she is happy, not only professionally but in her personal life.
"Life goes on, because this is a part of it. We end as good friends."
Since then, the pair have been spotted together frequently, even being snapped kissing at a party in Rio de Janeiro in June.
Neymar is also extremely close with his sister - Rafaella Beckran.
The 77-cap Brazil international even has her face tattooed on his arm - along with an inking of his mum and a separate etching of his dad's eyes.
caption id="attachment_3563754" align="alignnone" width="701"]
His son also features in one of Neymar's many inkings - while he also shows off a host of religious markings, with the football star a devout Christian.
Neymar once said on religion: "Life only makes sense when our highest ideal is to serve Christ."
He even gives ten per cent of every pay-cheque he receives to his church - after calling Brazilian superstar Kaka his religious idol.
The soon-to-be PSG forward is also heavily involved in charity - regularly spotted at events in Brazil.
Most notably, Neymar organises a charity football match ever year with another football star, Nene, to help raise money for food for impoverished families.
Neymar has always been keen to get his face and name out there and has featured regularly in advertising campaigns as he makes the most of his sponsorship deals.
As well as signing an 11-year contract with Nike in 2011, he has high-profile deals with companies including Panasonic and Santander.
In fact, his sponsorship interests mean he rakes in a reported £18m per year - excluding wages.
In 2013, SportsPro magazine even ranked him as the most-marketable athlete on the planet, even ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
With all his money, Neymar is always keen to be seen as the life and soul of the party, regularly sharing images and stories on his social media - including his Batman-themed birthday.
However, he's clearly splashed the cash elsewhere too, parting with an outrageous £6m back in 2016 on a SECOND private jet.
The Brazilian saw his first one seized by police - as he saw £33m-worth of assets taken during investigations surrounding alleged tax evasion.
Neymar also saw a yacht, helicopter and several properties across Brazil taken.
He clearly gets plenty of use out of the jet though, as he is regularly seen at the furthest-flung corners of the globe.
From London to Los Angeles and Dubai to Sao Paulo, Neymar is always one to make the most of his free time.
Neymar looks certain to swap Barcelona for PSG in a world-record move
Whether it be on the football pitch or away from it, Neymar always grabs the eye.
It certainly paid dividends as he's set to finalise his record-obliterating move to France...
Perhaps even in the coming days.
Leave a comment