In a remarkable turn of events, a Brazilian billionaire has reportedly bequeathed his entire fortune, estimated at approximately £846 million ($1 billion), to football superstar Neymar Jr.
According to local news outlet RIC, the unnamed businessman, who passed away in 2023, named Neymar as the sole heir to his substantial estate despite having never met the renowned athlete. The will, formalised on June 12 at a notary office in Porto Alegre, Brazil, was authenticated in front of two witnesses.
Local media reports suggest that the billionaire made this extraordinary decision due to his admiration for Neymar’s strong family ties, particularly his relationship with his father, Neymar Sr., which reminded him of his own late father.
At 33 years old, Neymar has yet to publicly comment on the bequest; however, friends close to the player indicate that he plans to honour the billionaire’s legacy through charitable initiatives and investments in Brazilian youth sports.
The star forward recently renewed his contract with Santos, his boyhood club, and is poised to represent Brazil’s national team at the 2026 World Cup.
The inheritance is pending clearance from Brazilian courts, which must validate the will and determine Neymar’s legal right to the vast fortune. The billionaire’s family has already contested the will, potentially igniting a landmark legal battle over testamentary freedom versus familial obligation.
If the inheritance is approved, it would rank as one of the most significant wealth transfers from a private individual to a sports personality in history. Neymar’s future plans for the fortune are highly anticipated, with many speculating he will utilise it to enhance his philanthropic efforts and solidify his legacy within Brazilian football.
By INIOBONG EKPONTA, Uyo
Ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State commissioner of police (CP), Baba Azare, has assured that robust security measures are in place for a seamless event.
In an interview at the State headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo, CP Azare stated that both regular and plain-clothes operatives would be deployed to ensure safety throughout the match.
“We are prepared to ensure that the match proceeds without any issues. A sufficient number of officers have been assigned to maintain peace. Plain-clothes officers will be integrated among the fans to monitor and address any unruly behaviour,” the CP disclosed.
He also warned any individuals intending to cause trouble before or after the match to proceed with caution, as authorities will take stringent action against any such disruptions.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles are determined to keep their focus on the clash against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Uyo on Saturday, as they avoid distractions ahead of the crucial encounter against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Team captain William Ekong emphasised the importance of taking it ‘one step at a time’. “We have Rwanda to play on Saturday, and there are three points at stake. Once that’s done, we’ll shift our attention to South Africa, also with three points up for grabs. But for now, our priority is Rwanda.”
Despite a rocky start to the qualification campaign, with no wins in the first four matches, the Eagles are optimistic. Ekong believes that securing victories in their remaining matches can propel Nigeria to the 48-nation finals in North America next summer. “We will do our very best,” he affirmed, “and if we win our last four matches, hopefully, that will be enough to take us there.”
The match against Rwanda marks Matchday 7, while the fixture with South Africa is a Matchday 8 encounter. Historically, Nigeria has stumbled when distracted by potential showdowns, such as during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when they fell to Denmark after looking ahead to facing Brazil.
