Brazilian football star Neymar is reportedly set to inherit a massive windfall due to an unexpected stroke of luck, as a childless billionaire in the country has left him over $1 billion in inheritance.
According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail, the unnamed billionaire is said to have passed away. He was single during his lifetime and had no children to inherit his wealth.
Brazilian media outlet RIC reported that the 33-year-old Santos FC football club star has been designated as the sole heir to the billionaire’s will. The will was officially signed and took effect in an office in Porto Alegre in June this year.
The billionaire’s estate is said to be worth up to £846 million (approximately $1.14 billion). Neymar would need approval from the Brazilian courts if he wishes to inherit this substantial amount.
Local media reports suggest that the reason the billionaire chose Neymar to inherit his fortune is because he “identified with him on a personal level.” He also admired Neymar’s close relationship with his father, which “reminded him of his late father.”
Gulf News reported that Neymar, a father of four, has not publicly commented on this unexpected fortune. His current net worth is estimated to be between $300 million and $330 million.
Previously, Neymar played for Al Hilal in the Saudi Professional League for a season and has recently returned to Brazil to rejoin his former club, Santos FC. This implies that he might represent Brazil in the upcoming World Cup football tournament.
In a statement on the club’s website, Neymar said, “I have made a decision, I have listened to my heart. Santos is not just my team, it is my home, my root, my history, my life.”
“Here, I have grown from a boy to a man, I am loved sincerely. Here, I can be myself, truly happy. Here, I want to fulfill the dreams that were missing in my professional career.”
“Nothing can stop me. I go, I come back, I stay. Here is where everything begins, and where nothing ever ends.”
Since Neymar injured his anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023, he has not played for the Brazil national team. Nevertheless, he remains the highest goal scorer in the history of the Brazilian team, with a total of 79 goals.