Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. may soon become one of the wealthiest athletes in history after being named the sole heir to a staggering $1.1 billion (£846 million) fortune by a man he reportedly never met.
The shocking news, first reported by Brazilian media outlet RIC, has taken the football world by surprise. According to the report, the unnamed billionaire from Porto Alegre formalised his will in front of two witnesses on June 12, 2025, naming Neymar as his only beneficiary.
The will is currently going through Brazil’s legal system for official clearance. If approved, it would be one of the most extraordinary inheritances ever recorded in sports—and certainly one of the strangest.
The mysterious billionaire, described as a reclusive man, was reportedly childless, unmarried, and had no close living relatives. What he did have, according to sources, was a deep admiration for Neymar—especially the player’s close relationship with his father, Neymar Sr.
Reports suggest the businessman often spoke about how Neymar’s bond with his father reminded him of his own late dad. He felt a strong emotional connection to the footballer, despite never having met him personally.
It’s believed that this connection motivated the billionaire’s astonishing decision to leave his entire estate—including properties, investments, and cash—to the 33-year-old footballer.
As of now, Neymar has not made any public comment on the reported inheritance. Those close to him say the footballer was caught off guard by the news and is waiting for legal confirmation before reacting.
This unexpected twist comes at a critical point in Neymar’s career. After an injury-riddled spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, he returned to his boyhood club, Santos, in January 2025, seeking a fresh start ahead of the next World Cup.
So far, Neymar has scored three goals in 14 matches for Santos since his return and has spoken passionately about what the club means to him.
“Santos is not just my team—it is my home, my roots, my life,” he said during his contract renewal in June.
“Here, I can be myself and be truly happy. This is where I want to fulfil the dreams still missing in my career.”
While Neymar is already a millionaire several times over due to his football contracts, sponsorship deals, and brand endorsements, the potential $1.1 billion windfall would elevate him into an entirely new financial league—possibly making him richer than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi combined.
If the court approves the will, Neymar’s financial future could be secured for generations, and the story could go down as one of the most unusual cases of admiration and legacy in sports history.
Until then, the football world watches and waits to see if this incredible inheritance tale becomes reality.
