Latest News (EN)

Neymar is another level: the Institute that changes lives and turns children into shirts 10

Neymar é outro nível: o Instituto que muda vidas e transforma crianças em camisas 10 - Divulgação
Photo: Neymar é outro nível: o Instituto que muda vidas e transforma crianças em camisas 10 - Divulgação

An exciting video, released on May 14, 2026, by Neymar Jr. on his official YouTube channel, he reached the 4 million views mark, offering an intimate perspective on his roots and the social impact of Instituto Neymar Jr. on Baixada Santista. The production took viewers on a journey through the cities of Praia Grande, Santos and São Vicente, revisiting places that shaped the attacker’s childhood and trajectory, from the floodplain fields to the founding of his social project. The content highlighted the importance of family, friendships and community in building identity and success, highlighting how football, from an early age, became an engine for overcoming and transformation.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ysc4jfioLyY

The recording detailed the work carried out by Instituto Neymar Jr., an initiative that has established itself as a pillar of support for thousands of children and adolescents in the region. The project, which operates without government funding, is maintained by the player’s own resources and a network of sponsors and partners, dedicated to offering educational, sporting and cultural opportunities. The video’s narrative, in addition to presenting the various activities promoted by the institution, highlighted Neymar’s deep connection with its home community, reinforcing the message that individual success can and should be shared to generate a lasting and significant collective impact.

Relembrando the origins of Baixada Santista

Neymar’s video began with a trip back to the past, taking the audience to the places that marked his first years of life and his introduction to football. The journey began in Mogi of Cruzes, his hometown, moving on to São Vicente, where he lived with his grandmother after his father ended his professional career. Then, the player revisited Praia Grande, specifically Jardim Glória, the neighborhood where the family managed to build their first house, the result of his father’s efforts in floodplain games. Essa phase of Neymar’s life was marked by challenges, such as the financial difficulty mentioned in a conversation with his mother, who cried when explaining the lack of money to buy a pack of cookies, a memory that boosted the player’s dream of achieving wealth to change his reality and that of his family.

Neymar and his childhood friend, Jotinha, relived the memories of their first football school, Tumiaru, and the period when they played in the floodplains accompanying the athlete’s father. Essa’s initial phase was crucial for developing his skills and forging character. The video showed Jardim Glória’s renovated house, where he used to play ball in the street, a space that, according to him, symbolizes simplicity and passion for the sport. The stories of overcoming and gratitude for the evolution of his life permeate the entire narrative, connecting the present of success with the past of struggles. The recording emphasized the importance of remembering where you came from, an attitude that the player cultivates and that shines through in his actions.

Instituto Neymar Jr. transforms community with education and sport

The central point of the audiovisual production was the visit to Instituto Neymar Jr., located in Jardim Glória, in Praia Grande, in the same neighborhood where the player grew up. The athlete described the institute as his “biggest goal”, a metaphor that illustrates the importance of the project in his life. The institution, a robust complex, offers a wide range of activities and services for children, adolescents and their families, aiming at integral development and promoting opportunities. Neymar’s surprise visit to the institute was marked by emotional scenes, with euphoric children running to hug him, which highlighted the community’s affection and admiration for the idol.

The structure of Instituto Neymar Jr. includes:

  • Quadras sports:Espaços dedicated to volleyball and football, encouraging the practice of sports and teamwork.
  • Piscina:Para swimming lessons, promoting aquatic health and well-being.
  • Salas class:Ambientes equipped to teach languages ​​such as French, Spanish and English, expanding educational horizons.
  • Robotics Oficinas:Estimulando logical thinking and creativity with technology.
  • Aulas judo:Fomentando discipline, respect and self-confidence through martial arts.
  • Auditório and cafeteria:Espaços for events, lectures and offering quality food, contributing to the nutrition and coexistence of participants.
  • Barbearia-school:A project with friend and hairdresser Narico, offering professional training in haircuts to the community.

The player reiterated that the institute’s purpose goes beyond simply helping children, extending to supporting their families. The project’s sustainability is entirely private, depending on Neymar’s resources and the contribution of sponsors, which allows it to maintain autonomy and focus on its social goals.

Amizades and futsal lessons in the formation of the star

Neymar’s trajectory was also punctuated by the appreciation of lasting friendships and the important lessons learned in futsal. The video featured meetings with childhood friends, such as Jotinha and Maicon, who shared stories and recalled their times playing on the street and in the first teams. Friendships, according to Neymar, are a fundamental pillar in his life, helping him to disconnect from the pressures of the world of football and keep his feet on the ground. A fun episode, involving an unexpected visit from Justin Bieber to a party and his father, illustrated the lightness and loyalty of these bonds.

His passion for futsal was a significant chapter in his formation. Neymar played for Gremetal and Portuguesa Santista before joining Santos, and the transition to the field, around the age of 14 or 15, was a time of great sadness and tears for him, as he didn’t want to abandon the sport. However, the techniques and tactics learned in futsal, such as improvisation, quick thinking, changing direction and the need to attack and defend simultaneously, were crucial to the development of his playing style. Treinadores at the time, like Betinho, who discovered him, and others who mentored him, remembered how distinctive he already was.

Futsal and street football also taught Neymar how to deal with older and physically stronger opponents. Ele learned to use speed, intelligence and skill to dribble and evade marking, compensating for the physical disadvantage. Essa’s ability to pivot and think ahead was key when he turned pro, weighing just 54kg, which forced him to be even more agile and strategic on the field. Essas’s experiences, from an early age, shaped a resilient and creative player.

The legacy of a number 10: beyond the pitch

Neymar expressed that building a legacy is more important than any other achievement. Essa philosophy manifests itself not only in the institute, but also in the way he lives his life and shares his experiences. The emotion of reliving the past, especially the difficulties faced, reinforced his appreciation for the achievements and value of the people who accompanied him on his journey. The promise to his mother to buy a biscuit factory, although not literally fulfilled, symbolizes the realization of a dream of prosperity and the ability to provide comfort and security to his family.

The video also showed memorable moments from his career, including iconic goals with the Santos shirt, such as the one dedicated to his mother in an Dia from Mães, and the emotion of playing in Vila Belmiro, a dream that came true. Ele remembered when he lived close to the stadium and walked to games, returning among the fans, a period of great simplicity and connection with the fans. The need to move, after initial success, represented the transition to a new phase, where public life intensified.

The recording is a testament to Neymar’s gratitude and his vision that success should be an instrument to uplift others. Sua’s dedication to Instituto and the affection with which he treats friends and family demonstrate a side of the athlete that is often overshadowed by the media and controversies. The video, by humanizing the figure of the star, seeks to inspire new generations to value their origins, persevere in the face of challenges and, above all, to give back to the community. Neymar’s journey, from the streets of Praia Grande to the world stage, and his commitment to social transformation, echoes a message of hope and opportunity for many.