A strange rumor has gone viral in Brazil and across the world claiming that football star Neymar has inherited $1 billion from a businessman he never met.
The story started after reports resurfaced about a will filed in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2023. The will, which is real, lists Neymar as the sole heir to the man’s estate. The businessman, described as a 31-year-old single man with no children, reportedly admired Neymar and said he identified with the player’s close bond with his father.
In interviews at the time, the man explained that he considered Neymar “not self-interested, something rare nowadays.” Facing health issues and having no direct heirs, he said leaving his assets to the footballer felt like the right choice.
How the Story Went Viral Again
For two years, the will attracted little attention. But in September 2025, a Brazilian TV program, Melhor da Tarde, revisited the case. From there, major outlets such as CNN Brasil and Veja picked it up, many of them using sensational headlines. Some even misreported the timing, suggesting the will was made this year rather than in 2023.
The most eye-catching detail was the claim that the inheritance is worth $1 billion. That figure first appeared in 2023 when columnist Léo Dias reported the businessman’s estate could be that large. However, no official documents have confirmed this value, and Brazilian fact-checkers have called it unproven.
What’s True and What’s Not
Here is what has been confirmed:
- A will exists, and Neymar is named as the sole heir.
- It was registered in Porto Alegre in June 2023.
- The businessman is unmarried, without children, and still alive.
What is not confirmed is the size of his fortune or whether Neymar has any knowledge of the will.
So, has Neymar really inherited $1 billion from a stranger? The answer is no, not yet. While the will is genuine, the billion-dollar figure dominating headlines is based on speculation. Until the man passes away — and until the value of his estate is made public — Neymar’s supposed billion-dollar windfall remains more of an internet legend than a financial reality.
