Brazil icon Neymar has copied the likes of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo by investing heavily in a luxury superyacht. The Santos forward completed his purchase for £17million shortly after his nation’s exit from the World Cup this summer. Neymar, 34, was competing in his final major competition for the Selecao.
He netted his 80th and final international goal, a consolation spot-kick in the round of 16 loss to Norway, before suggesting after the match that he would not represent his nation again. According to Nautica, the yacht – a refurbished cargo ship – was constructed in Brazil and docked in Angra dos Reis in Rio de Janeiro state on Monday. It measures over 46 metres in length, with an 800 square metre ‘usable area’, and is driven by four caterpillar engines each producing 1,450 horsepower.
Yacht architect Fernando De Almeida is reported to have created the craft, which has been christened ‘Enejota’. The designation corresponds to the Portuguese articulation of the letters ‘NJ’ – Neymar Jr’s initials.
Neymar’s fellow professionals, Ronaldo and Beckham, are similarly renowned for their yacht acquisitions. The former invested £5.5m in one significant purchase following his then-club Juventus’ Serie A triumph in 2020.
Beckham appeared to have traded up his yacht by 2024. The former England international and his wife Victoria were photographed aboard a £16m vessel rather than their previous £5m craft, though it remained unclear whether the couple actually owned the pricier option.
The purchase comes just days after Neymar called time on his international career. “I tried, I tried. Now, it’s over,” the forward told Globo. “I started here [making his Brazil debut in New York]; I finished here.”
His remarks referred to the fact that both his first and last appearances for his country took place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
He found the net in both matches – a friendly against the United States in 2010 and a World Cup exit 16 years later – finishing with an impressive tally of 80 senior goals for Brazil.
That loss to Norway brought the curtain down on Carlo Ancelotti’s inaugural major tournament at the helm of Brazil. The Italian tactician was keen to focus on rebuilding after a bruising early exit sealed by Erling Haaland‘s brace.
“What I say is that we continue to do our jobs and look for new ideas,” Ancelotti said. “It’s the same thing we did this year.”