"Never Met, Yet Inherits 8 Billion! Why Did a Brazilian Billionaire Favor Neymar?"

“Never having met, yet willing to bestow a lifetime’s wealth.” An anonymous billionaire designated football superstar Neymar as the sole heir in his will, involving assets worth 6.1 billion Brazilian Reais (approximately 8 billion RMB). Faced with this “windfall,” Neymar’s team responded that they “have not received official notification.” The reason cited in the will— “admiration for his family relationships”—has turned this cross-stranger wealth transfer into a unique case study of human nature and public image.

A “Wealth Entrustment” Without Ever Meeting: Key Details Behind the Will

This high-profile inheritance began with a document notarized on June 12 at a notary office in Porto Alegre, Brazil. According to the notarial records, the billionaire, who was childless, single, and in poor health, explicitly designated all his assets—including real estate, equity, and cash—to be inherited by the 33-year-old Neymar, in the presence of two witnesses. At the current exchange rate, the inheritance amounts to approximately 8 billion RMB, equivalent to Neymar’s total career earnings over the past five years (Forbes data shows Neymar ranked third in global football earnings in 2024, behind only Messi and Ronaldo).

Notably, the will specifically emphasized that "the two parties have never met," dispelling speculation about a "hidden connection." Brazil’s Folha de S.Paulo attempted to trace the billionaire’s identity but found that his name and business empire were concealed through a family trust. It is only known that his wealth was accumulated in the energy industry. "He chose anonymity, perhaps to focus the inheritance on 'admiration' rather than 'connection,'" analyzed Carlos, a Brazilian inheritance law expert, in an interview. According to Brazilian law, such inheritance gifts without blood relations require strict court review to confirm the absence of fraud or coercion before they can take effect. The will is currently under judicial review, with results expected within six months.

Billionaire’s “Selection Logic”: Family Bonds and Rare Qualities
Why Neymar? The answer in the will is unexpected yet reasonable—"admiration for his close family relationships, especially his bond with his father, which reminds me of my late father." It also praises Neymar for being "not selfish, a rarity in today’s society." This reasoning aligns perfectly with the "family-oriented" aspect of Neymar’s public image.

Fans familiar with Neymar know that his relationship with his father, Neymar Sr., can be described as symbiotic. From his father building a backyard mini-pitch in their favela days to nurture his football dreams, to managing his commercial affairs as his agent after he became a professional player, their bond has long transcended that of an ordinary father and son. On Father’s Day in 2022, Neymar shared a picture book that took 21 years to create, containing locks of hair from age 3, childhood height markers, handprints, footprints, and handwritten letters to his father. This "gift of time" moved millions of netizens. However, the other side of the coin is that Neymar Sr. has also faced controversy for "excessive profit-seeking": During Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona in 2013, Neymar Sr. was revealed to have received €40 million in kickbacks; during his 2017 transfer to Paris, he earned another €40 million in commissions, even drawing criticism from Brazilian fans for "trading his son’s career for money."

Interestingly, the billionaire seemed to selectively ignore these controversies, focusing only on the positive narrative of "father-son affection." Brazilian sociologist Ana believes this may hide the billionaire’s own emotional projection: "Childless and having lost his father, he saw the family warmth he longed for in Neymar. This emotional resonance made him willing to believe in Neymar’s 'selflessness'—even if the public holds different views."

Neymar’s “Dual Image”: Football Superstar and Controversial Figure
This inheritance incident has also highlighted Neymar’s "dual image." On one hand, he is the all-time top scorer for the Brazilian national team (79 goals). After returning to his hometown club Santos in January this year, he scored only 3 goals in 14 matches but still garnered widespread support for the "homecoming" sentiment. His statement during contract renewal, "Santos is my roots," topped Brazilian social media trends. On the other hand, his career has always been accompanied by controversy: During his time in the Saudi league, frequent injuries led to doubts about his "professional attitude." His private life, involving unmarried parenthood, constant gossip, and even a rape lawsuit, has cast doubt on the "not selfish" evaluation.

"The 'selflessness' the billionaire saw may stem from Neymar’s sense of responsibility toward his family," explained sports commentator Marcos. Despite his scandals, Neymar has always shouldered the responsibility of raising his son Davi, often taking him to matches and vacations publicly, showcasing his "good father" side. His "sentimental return" to Santos has also been interpreted as a choice "not bound by money"—after all, Saudi clubs offered him an annual salary of €200 million, far exceeding the €15 million provided by Santos. Such moments of "choosing emotion over profit" may have been the key to winning the billionaire’s heart.

Now, Neymar has yet to respond directly to the inheritance incident. He was only photographed having a meal with his father after training, and their cheerful conversation was interpreted by the media as "unaffected by the." Ultimately, this cross-stranger wealth story transcends money itself—it serves as a mirror, reflecting people’s yearning for family bonds and "rare qualities," while also revealing the diverse interpretations of public figures’ images. As commented by Brazil’s O Globo

: "Theof the 8 billion inheritance may have a legal answer, but the question of 'why Neymar' is one that everyone with someone to cherish can find their own answer to."

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