A Brazilian Businessman’s Will Leaving His Fortune To Neymar Jr

In 2023, a story from Brazil captured worldwide attention when it was revealed that a young businessman had drafted an official will naming Neymar Jr. as his only heir. The man, around 31 years old and originally from Rio Grande do Sul, went to a notary office in Porto Alegre to make his wishes legally binding. According to the reports, he explained that he had no children and no direct heirs, and because of this, he did not want his assets to be taken over by the State or given to relatives with whom he had no connection. Instead, he chose Neymar, one of Brazil’s most famous athletes, as the person he wanted to inherit his wealth.

The businessman gave an interview to the Brazilian media outlet Metrópoles, where he explained his reasoning. He said that he strongly identified with Neymar and admired the close bond the soccer star has with his father. This emotional connection was enough for him to make Neymar the main beneficiary of his estate. The story immediately spread across Brazil and beyond, with many people surprised that such a wealthy man would leave everything to a sports star he had never personally met.

The will was not just a personal statement; it was made official. It was registered and certified by a notary public in Porto Alegre, which means that it carries full legal weight in Brazil. Inheritance law in the country allows individuals to dispose of a part of their estate freely, provided that any legal obligations to close family members are respected. In this case, since the man declared he was single, without children, and not living in a stable union, Neymar could indeed inherit a very significant part of his fortune.

The translation of the will itself confirms this decision. It was drawn up at the 9th Notary Office of Porto Alegre, on June 12, 2023, before Substitute Notary Altemir Francisco da Silva and two qualified witnesses. In the will, the businessman clearly declared that he was in full possession of his mental faculties, was not under any kind of pressure, and was acting entirely of his own free will.

The witnesses, one a biologist and the other a graphic designer, signed the document after confirming that the testator dictated his wishes aloud and that everything was written down exactly as he declared. The document then set out the following points:

1. That the testator was born in Porto Alegre and was a native of Rio Grande do Sul.

2. That he was single and did not live in a stable union.

3. That he had no children.

4. That his final will was that the disposable portion of his estate should go to Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, more commonly known worldwide as Neymar Jr.

This wording is important, especially the part that says “respecting the legal reserved share” or “legítima.” Under Brazilian inheritance law, there is always a portion of a person’s estate that must go to direct heirs such as children or a spouse. This part cannot be freely given away. However, if someone has no such heirs, as the businessman stated in this case, then the disposable portion can represent almost the entire estate. That means Neymar could receive the vast majority of the fortune, reported by some outlets to be around $1 billion, though other estimates suggest smaller amounts.

The will also shows that the man paid all the official fees for registering the will, including fees for processing and for entering the document into Brazil’s central registry of wills. This step confirms that the document is not just symbolic but fully recognized by the legal system. Anyone can even check the authenticity of the will through the notary’s online system using the access code provided in the document.

The story has drawn both fascination and debate. Many people see it as an extraordinary act of admiration for a sports star who has inspired millions in Brazil and around the world. Others question why someone would leave such a large estate to a wealthy athlete instead of donating it to charities, causes, or people in need. Some observers also wonder whether Neymar himself will ever acknowledge the will or whether he will choose to accept the inheritance if the time comes.

What cannot be denied, however, is the legal strength of the decision. This is not just a rumor or a fan’s wishful thinking—it is an official, notarized document that stands as the last will and testament of a businessman who decided to leave everything to Neymar. It represents one of the most unusual cases in Brazilian inheritance history, and it has sparked conversations about the power of fame, personal admiration, and the freedom to dispose of one’s fortune according to individual choice.

This will, with all its details and formalities, shows how deeply one man connected to Neymar’s image and story. It also shows the surprising ways in which public figures can impact the private lives of ordinary people who feel inspired enough to make life-changing decisions. Whether Neymar eventually inherits the fortune or not, this case will remain one of the most remarkable examples of devotion to a sports star ever documented in Brazil.