Neymar to become a ‘Brazilianaire’

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, one of the most recognisable figures in world football, has unexpectedly been named the sole heir to the fortune of a Brazilian businessman who died without direct descendants. The news has attracted international attention, not only because of the vast amount of money involved, but also because of the unusual reasoning behind the decision.

According to reports in AS, ABC and other outlets, the unnamed entrepreneur signed his will at a notary office in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on 12 June. Two witnesses were present at the formalisation of the document, which was subsequently authenticated. The will leaves Neymar as the exclusive beneficiary of an estimated 846 million dollars (around £650 million), effectively transferring the entirety of the man’s estate to the footballer. The businessman’s identity has not been revealed publicly. What has been disclosed, however, are the motives that guided his decision. As reported by AS and ABC, he explained that he identified with Neymar on several personal levels. In particular, he said he felt a connection with the close bond between Neymar and his father, which reminded him of his own late parent. He also cited experiences of being the subject of “defamation”, something he believed he shared with the Brazilian international.

Importantly, the millionaire noted that he was unmarried, had no children, and therefore no natural heirs. He made clear in his statement that he did not want his wealth to fall into the hands of relatives with whom he had no close relationship, nor for it to revert to the state. For this reason, he selected Neymar, whom he regarded as a worthy successor and not a so-called fortune-hunter.

Reports from Telemedellín and El Desmarque confirm that while the will is legally signed, the transfer of assets is not immediate. The inheritance must first be approved by Brazilian courts, a process that can be complex, particularly when the sums involved are so substantial. At this stage, it is not yet known whether Neymar will accept the bequest.

The 32-year-old forward, who currently plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, has not commented publicly on the matter. He is already among the highest-paid athletes in the world, with earnings from both his club salary and numerous commercial endorsements. Should the inheritance proceed, it would significantly increase his wealth, potentially adding almost a billion dollars to his name. This extraordinary development has inevitably raised eyebrows, with some questioning the rationale of leaving such an immense estate to a sportsman with no personal ties to the benefactor. However, as the businessman’s statement makes clear, the decision was based on personal admiration and a sense of identification rather than family connection.

The case also highlights the flexibility of Brazilian inheritance law, which allows individuals without direct heirs to leave their fortunes to whomever they choose, provided the paperwork is correctly executed. Legal experts note that challenges can still arise, particularly if distant relatives contest the will, though no such claims have yet been reported. For now, Neymar remains the named heir to one of the most unusual legacies in modern football history. Whether he chooses to accept and how Brazilian courts rule on the matter will be closely followed in the coming months.