Encomium
Gone are the days when footballers lived in penury, regarded as nuisance, and relegated to the background. Now, they date the choicest women, drive the best of cars, own luxury yachts and seal multi-million dollar deals with multi-national companies.
One player who is a proof of this new lease of life that footballers now enjoy is Brazilian soccer superstar, Neymar Da Silva.
The 22 year old former Santos player is currently leading his countrymen in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. Though young, all hopes of a Brazil conquest at the World Cup rests on his shoulders.
The skillful player with an eye for the spectacular has risen to the occasion, netting two crucial goals thus far. Neymar is more than just a good footballer, he is also stylish and one of the most marketable athletes in the world.
These all add up to big contracts and an extravagant lifestyle that includes yachts, flashy cars, and famous girlfriends, most of them top models.
Neymar sure knows how to keep his legion of fans asking for more. His new hairstyle is the focus of attention in Brazil, sweeping both male and female folks off their feet. The attacking ace has somehow found time between his team’s training sessions, pre-match and post-match interviews and sponsorship commitments to find a session with a stylist for a new look. He now adorns a blond hair nicely cut in his trademark mohawk.
Here is a breakdown of how the superstar makes his bucks:
Neymar signed his first professional contract when he was 17 with the Brazilian club, Santos where he was making approximately $1.2m (N192m) per year.
In 2010, Santos rejected a $20m (N3.2bn) bid for Neymar to join West Ham United in the English Premier League. He was 18 at the time.
At the time, Neymar’s representative publicly rejected a pay raise from his club, Santos.
Later that year, he rejected an offer from Chelsea in the Premier League that would have paid him approximately $4.8m (N768m) annually. At the same time, Neymar’s profile was rising internationally, after some stunning performances with the Brazilian national team.
Neymar then agreed to a new 5-year contract to remain in Brazil, making about $4m (N640m) per year.
Huge pressure was placed on his shoulders as pundits and fans alike dubbed him The Next Pele – he sure has a long way to go if he is to attain the heights that the Samba legend attained.
Last year, Barcelona paid $119m (N19bn) to acquire Neymar from Santos. However, the transfer sparked controversy when it was revealed that $54m (N8.6bn) of the transfer fee was paid to Neymar’s parents. This led to the stepping down of Sandro Rosell as Barcelona president.
Neymar signed a 5-year contract with Barça worth $76.8m (N12.3bn) for an average annual salary of
$15.4m (N2.5bn).
Off the pitch, Neymar’s endorsements pay him $16m (N2.6bn) per year.
In 2011, Neymar signed an 11-year deal with Nike worth $1m (N160m) per year.
He has also appeared on the cover of the video game series, Pro Evolution Soccer.
He was named Eurosport’s Most Marketable Athlete for 2013, the second straight year he topped the list.
How he spends his millions:
Neymar has expensive taste and his list of extravagant purchases includes an $8m (N1.3bn) yacht that also costs $120,000 (N19.2m) per year to maintain.
He also has a vast car collection that includes a Porsche Panamera Turbo with a price tag of $500,000 (N80m).
He has an extensive model car collection.
He appears to have very expensive taste when it comes to earrings.
Neymar’s most recognizable expense is with him wherever he goes. Maintaining this hairstyle cannot be cheap.
Neymar is currently dating Brazilian actress, Bruna Marquezine, who was recently spotted watching Brazil practice.
Neymar has one son, Davi Lucca, from a previous relationship. Neymar reportedly pays $15,000 (N2.4m) per month in child support.
There is certainly no limit to what Neymar can achieve with the ball at his feet on the pitch, same can be said of what he can achieve off it.
-MICHAEL NWOKIKE
