Neymar Jr age and career timeline key facts

Neymar Jr at a glance

Neymar Jr was born on 5 February 1992, which makes him 31 years old for most of 2023 and turning 32 in February 2024. He is a Brazilian professional footballer who began his senior career at Santos in 2009, moved to Barcelona in 2013, and joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in August 2017. This profile focuses on verifiable milestones, contract timelines, and performance metrics relevant to understanding his age, career stage, and legacy as of 2023.

Age and birth date details

Confirmed birth information

Official records and biographies list Neymar's date of birth as 5 February 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil. Based on this date, his exact age on key annual milestones is as follows.

Club career timeline

Neymar's club trajectory shows clearly defined phases, with age-linked transitions between youth development, breakthrough, and top-level leadership.

Santos and rise to prominence (2009–2013)

Neymar debuted for Santos in 2009 at age 17 and became a consistent goalscorer through his late teens. By 2011, at around age 19, he was establishing himself as one of Brazil's top young talents. In 2012, aged 20, he helped Santos win the Campeonato Paulista and led the team in scoring, drawing widespread attention in South America.

Barcelona period and transition (2013–2017)

He moved to Barcelona in June 2013, shortly after turning 21. During his time at Barça, he reached major finals and collected domestic and continental honours. He was 25 at the 2017 UEFA Champions League final defeat to Juventus and 25–26 during his final competitive season with the club.

Paris Saint-Germain and current phase (2017–2023 and beyond)

Neymar joined PSG in August 2017 at age 25. By 2023, at age 31, he was in the latter stage of his 30s, dealing with persistent injuries that reduced his playing frequency. While still capable of match-winning performances, his availability and minutes had declined compared to his peak at Barcelona.

International milestones and age-related context

Neymar's international career aligns with clear age brackets, from youngest squad member to seasoned leader.

Key national team ages

• 2012 Olympic squad: made his debut at age 20
• 2014 FIFA World Cup: featured as a key player at age 22
• 2016 Olympic Games: team captain at age 24, won silver
• 2018 FIFA World Cup: squad member at age 26
• 2022 FIFA World Cup: participant at age 30

Injury history and age-related factors

Neymar has experienced multiple significant injuries since 2014, with recovery timelines often affected by his age and accumulated minutes. As of 2023, recurring issues—particularly muscular and ankle problems—have reduced his ability to play consecutive high-intensity matches. Medical staff have frequently managed his load, which is a common consideration for athletes entering their early 30s at the highest level.

Public persona and legacy notes

Age has shaped Neymar's narrative both on and off the pitch. His flair, creativity, and commercial influence remain widely recognized, while discussions about his career increasingly address durability, adaptation to reduced minutes, and his standing among past and present peers.