Retail Latin America: 2014 World Cup: Neymar By The Numbers

2014/07/06

2014 World Cup: Neymar By The Numbers

Brazil squares off against Colombia on Friday in the quarterfinals of the World Cup with the victor punching its ticket to the semifinals and a matchup against the winner of France vs. Germany. Brazil will need its brilliant 22-year-old forward,

Neymar, to deliver if it is to have a chance to win a record sixth World Cup title. Neymar has been put up as the face of the World Cup in his home country. He came through with his team’s first goal of the tournament and another three shots finding the back of the net during the group stage where he led Brazil to the top of the Group A standings. Neymar currently sits tied for second in World Cup goals scored with four, behind only Colombia’s James Rodriguez, entering Friday’s game.

Neymar left his Brazilian club, Santos , last year for a spot on superpower Barcelona. The $124 million transfer cost, $50 million more than originally reported, ultimately led to the indictment and resignation of Barcelona’s president, Sandro Rosell, for covering up the full transfer price. Neymar will get $74 million in salary over five years from Barcelona.

Neymar’s jersey was the top-seller during the first week of the World Cup on Fanatics.com, the largest online retailer of licensed sports merchandise. Neymar’s jersey sales jumped 200% compared to the days leading up to the start of the World Cup. Neymar ranks No. 16 on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes in the world with earnings of $33.6 million over the past 12 months. His endorsement deals are worth $16 million a year and growing (onlyCristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi bank more off the pitch among active players). Nike, Unilever, Volkswagen, L’Oreal, Santander and others have invested heavily in the Barcelona star via endorsement deals. A World Cup title for Brazil would send Neymar’s sponsorship earnings even higher. The odds are in his favor. Nate Silver’s FiveThirtyEight website gives Brazil a 72% chance to beat Colombia and 40% odds to win whole tournament.

UPDATE: Neymar was taken off on a stretcher toward the end of Brazil’s 2-1 win over Colombia. After the game, Brazil’s team doctor announced that Neymar suffered a broken vertebra and would miss the rest of the World Cup.