He is the sole heir of my wealth - Brazilian businessman details why he willed all his fortune to Neymar despite NO family ties

In 2023, Pulse Sports reported that a businessman from Rio Grande do Sul formally named Neymar Jr. as the sole heir to his fortune, despite having no family connections to the famous footballer.

The news reported by Goal, and confirmed by CNN Brazil, revealed the unusual will was registered on June 12, 2025 at the 9th Notary Office of Porto Alegre, with two witnesses present and signed by a substitute notary. 

Neymar is claimed to have been given the enormous sum of £846 million by an unidentified deceased man from Brazil who is said to have been a billionaire, as per Brazilian outlet RIC.

While the precise value of the inheritance remains undisclosed, UOL’s entertainment vertical "f5" reports that it includes real estate, shares and other investments.

The businessman, who has asked to remain anonymous, explained his decision in an interview, insisting it stemmed from admiration and a sense of kinship with the Santos forward’s life and career.

“I like Neymar, I identify with him a lot,” he said.

 “I also suffer from defamation. I’m very close to my family, and his relationship with his father reminds me of my own, who’s already passed away. But above all, he’s not self-serving, something rare these days.”

The deceased individual, who previously admitted to dealing with ongoing health issues, stressed that his choice was not motivated by publicity but by a “genuine connection” to the football star’s story.

As per RIC, the registration cost approximately R$600, and his fortune is estimated at US$1.01 billion.

However, it will be up to the courts to confirm compliance with the player's wishes and officially add Neymar's name as heir.

Per the aforementioned outlet, Neymar’s press office has said they have not received any official notification of the will and the 33-year-old forward, who is currently competing for Santos in the 2025 Brazilian Championship, has yet to issue a public statement.

The revelation has sparked debate online, with many questioning the motives behind the decision and whether Neymar himself will even accept the inheritance should it be confirmed.

While a life-changing sum for most, this inheritance would be but a drop in the ocean for Neymar, who remains one of the richest footballers in the world.

Although specific figures for his total career earnings aren't readily available, Forbes has consistently ranked him among the world's highest-paid athletes.

For instance, Forbes' 2024 list of highest-paid athletes had Neymar at number seven with an estimated total earnings of $108 million over the previous year, with $80 million from his on-field salary and $28 million from endorsements. 

In 2025, Neymar was ranked no.25 in Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes.

This places him firmly in the top tier of earners in the sports world, alongside global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. 

His massive contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, and a subsequent move to Santos in 2025, have only added to his net worth currently estimated at $350 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth.

His 2017 transfer from Barcelona to PSG remains the most expensive in football history, at a colossal £200 million