Neymar Named Sole Heir in Bizarre Will, But $1bn Claim Is Unverified

Neymar has reportedly been named as the sole heir in the will of an anonymous Brazilian businessman who says he has never met the football star.

The unusual story emerged in Brazil after the businessman registered a will in Porto Alegre naming Neymar as the beneficiary of his estate. Brazilian reports say the document was completed with two witnesses and a notary.

The businessman, who has kept his identity private, reportedly has no children and said his decision was motivated by his admiration for Neymar.

He also reportedly identified with Neymar's close relationship with his father, Neymar Sr., because it reminded him of his own relationship with his late father.

The most sensational part of the story is the alleged value of the estate.

Several reports have claimed that the businessman is worth around US$1 billion, or roughly R$6 billion. However, that figure has not been independently verified. Other Brazilian reporting says the value was never stated in the will and may have been confused with estimates of Neymar's own wealth.

There is another important detail.

Neymar's representatives reportedly said they had not received any official notification concerning the will. The player therefore has not received this fortune, and there is no basis for saying that he has suddenly become a billionaire because of the inheritance.

The legal process would also have to be completed before any inheritance could actually pass to Neymar.

So while the idea of a stranger leaving his entire fortune to a footballer is extraordinary, the verified story is more limited than the viral posts suggest.

Neymar has reportedly been named as the sole heir.

The supposed $1 billion fortune, however, remains unverified.

Would you ever leave your entire estate to a footballer you had never met?