Billionaire Leaves His US$1B Fortune to Neymar Without Having Met the Player

A Brazilian billionaire has unexpectedly named football star Neymar as the sole heir to his US$1 billion fortune, despite never having met the player, according to Brazilian media reports. The will, filed at a notary's office in Porto Alegre, Brazil on June 12, 2025, is currently under review by courts before any assets can be transferred. The document leaves "all his worldly possessions" to Neymar, who returned to Brazil this year to rejoin his boyhood club Santos. He has not publicly commented on the reports.

The will's language reveals that the deceased, a man from Rio Grande do Sul with no children, identified with Neymar on a personal level, praising the player's humility and contrasting him with "self-serving" individuals. The businessman's decision to leave his estate to Neymar was driven partly by admiration for the player's family ties, particularly Neymar Sr.'s relationship with the testator's own late father.

Neymar's wealth is estimated at around US$350 million by Celebrity Net Worth, based on his earnings, endorsements, and investments. However, this figure could increase by more than double if he receives the full inheritance from the unnamed Brazilian billionaire, whose estate is valued at roughly R$6.1–6.2 billion, or US$1.0–1.1 billion. Legal experts note that the inheritance would be subject to taxes and potential disputes.