Learn about the inspirational story of Neymar.

One would think that the son of a professional footballer would inherit a paved road to success in the same sport. But, Neymar Jr.'s status as one of the best players in the world has not come without great sacrifice, persistence, endurance...and a lot of luck. He and his family have taken advantage of the big breaks which have come his way. By combining opportunity with the natural talent for soccer that he inherited from his father, he has risen to the ranks of the highest paid and best young soccer players the world has ever seen. Neymar da Silva Santos, Jr. was born in Mogi des Cruzes, São Paulo to Neymar Santos, Sr. and Nadine da Silva on February 5, 1992. Upon his birth, in order to distinguish him from his father, his father came to be called Pai which means "father." The son was called Juninho which means "junior." To the world, the son would become Neymar.