The businessman left his entire estate to Neymar Jr. Photo Credit: Ricardo/Shutterstock
One of the most famous figures in world football, Neymar da Silva Santos Jr. was unexpectedly appointed as the sole heir to the property of a Brazilian businessman who died without direct descendants. The news is attracting international attention not only for the enormous amounts involved, but also for the extraordinary reasons behind the decision.
According to the report As, ABC Another outlet, an unknown entrepreneur, signed his will at the notary’s office in Porto Alegre, Brazil on June 12th. Two witnesses attended the formalization of the document and were subsequently verified. Will leaves Neymar as an exclusive beneficiary of an estimated $846 million (approximately £650 million) and effectively transfers the entire male real estate to football players. The identity of the businessman has not been publicly revealed. What is revealed, however, is the motivation that led his decision. As reported by As and ABCexplained that he identified with Neymar on several individual levels. In particular, he said he felt a connection to the close bond between Neymar and his father. He also cited the experience of being subject to “a honour and loss,” which he believed he shared with Brazilian international.
Importantly, the billionaire noted that he was unmarried and had no children, and therefore had no natural heirs. He made clear in a statement that his wealth was left in the hands of a relative who had no intimate connection and that he did not want it to return to the nation. For this reason he chose Neymar. Neymar saw him as a valuable successor, not a so-called Fortune Hunter.
Report from Telemedellín and Uncheck Make sure that the transfer of the assets is not immediate while the will is legally signed. The succession must first be approved by a Brazilian court. Brazilian courts are a complicated process, especially when the amounts involved are very large. At this stage it is not yet known whether Neymar will accept the bequest.
The 32-year-old forward, who currently plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal, has not commented publicly on the issue. He is already one of the world’s most paid athletes, earning revenue from both his club’s salary and many commercial support. As inheritance progresses, his wealth will increase dramatically, potentially adding almost a billion dollars to his name. This extraordinary development inevitably raises eyebrows and questions the rationale for leaving such a huge asset to sportsmen who have no personal connection to their benefactors. However, as the businessman’s statement reveals, the decision was based on a personal sense of praise and identification rather than a family connection.
The case also highlights the flexibility of Brazilian inheritance law, which allows individuals without direct heirs to leave their destiny to their chosen person, if the documents are executed correctly. Legal experts have pointed out that challenges can still arise, especially when distant relatives challenge the will, but such claims have not yet been reported. For now, Neymar remains the heir chosen as one of the most unusual heritages in modern football history. Whether he chose to accept it, and how Brazilian courts control the matter, will be closely followed in the coming months.
