Scrawny to Brawny: The Evolution of Neymar
In the 15 months since Neymar joined Barcelona, he has been in a constant state of change—and we're not just referring to his haircuts.
According to Spanish newspaper Sport (via the Daily Mail), the young Brazilian is "stronger" and "more prolific," having added four kilograms of muscle to his diminutive frame.
Here's a look through Neymar's career so far, detailing his progression from "scrawny show pony" to brawny Blaugrana superstar...
September 2009: Debut Season at Santos
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After spending six years in the youth ranks, Neymar broke through to the Santos first team in the 2009 season, at the age of 17.
The spindly forward picked up no trophies in his debut season, and started many games on the bench, but managed 13 goals in 43 appearances (as per ESPNFC).
April 2010: A First-Team Regular
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In his second season in Brazil, Neymar established himself as a first-team regular. In a Brazilian Cup game against Guarani in April 2010, he showed his potential by scoring five goals in an 8-1 victory.
August 2010: Selecao Debut
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When the 2010 World Cup came around, many hoped Neymar would be named in Dunga's squad. However, he was shunned and had to wait until an August 2010 friendly with the USA to make his international debut.
"Being on the Brazilian team is a privilege, There are some marvellous players and I'm very happy to be among them," he said after the 2-0 victory, per CNN.
Around this time, Neymar was also attracting attention from Premier League clubs like West Ham United.
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December 2010: Sophomore Santos Season
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Neymar won his first of three consecutive Campeonato Paulistas with Santos in the 2010 season, scoring 35 times in 63 games (as per ESPNFC).
He also came third in the Latin Player of the Year Awards, picking up his trophy in a lovely 1970s disco shirt.
March 2011: King of Scotland
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In March 2011, Neymar was building his global reputation as a YouTube show pony when he played with Brazil in a friendly against Scotland at the Emirates.
He scored both goals in the 2-0 victory and accused the Scottish crowd of racism when a banana was thrown on the field. The Scottish FA responded by claiming the booing and jeering he suffered was due to his tendency to feign injuries.
Evidently, his scrawny stature went hand-in-hand with a reputation for falling to the ground too frequently.
April 2011: Copa Libertadores Triumph
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In 2011, Neymar led Santos to their first Copa Libertadores title in 48 years, bagging six goals and the player of the tournament award in the process.
Thanks to his skills, marketability and ever-changing hairstyles, his global infamy continued to build.
July 2011: Cruising at the Copa America
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In July 2011, Neymar took his Korean pop star haircut to Argentina for the Copa America.
Current teammate Luis Suarez stole the show with four goals as he led Uruguay to victory, but Neymar scored twice in Brazil's group stage game with Ecuador before they crashed out in the quarter-finals.
October 2011: Staying in Brazil
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Towards the end of the 2011 season, Neymar signed a new big-money contract with Santos to fend off the European clubs who were circling around him.
The general perception was that Neymar was too young, unworldy and not physically strong enough to cope with the demands of top level European football.
His hair game, however, was on point.
December 2011: Club World Cup Runner-Up
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2011 was a tremendous year for Neymar, which concluded with a runners-up spot in the Club World Cup.
Neymar won the South American Footballer of the Year award by a record margin, he earned the Puskas Award for his beautiful goal against Flamengo and scored 40 goals in all competitions (as per ESPNFC).
May 2012: Topless at the Copa Libertadores
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In the 2012 season, Santos crashed out of the Copa Libertadores to eventual winners Corinthians, but he did score eight goals in the tournament and was only too happy to show off his gradually improving physique.
August 2012: Doubts over a Weighty Issue
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Neymar was selected for Brazil's Olympic side and scored three goals, but ultimately failed to help the Selecao to their first Olympic title.
Around this time, speculation around his move to Europe was intensifying, but many doubted his ability to make it in Europe.
Pele told Fox Sports (h/t Goal.com) that the 20-year-old was "not physically up for" a move to the Premier League, while national team manager Dunga also suggested he needed to play "another three years" in his home country, per Goal.
May 2013: Barcelona Unveiling
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Despite protestations about his weight and stature, Neymar eventually made his move to Barcelona in the summer of 2013.
Many thought Neymar would wait until after the World Cup to make a move—as stipulated in his contract—but his father claimed it was in his best interest not to make a move during a World Cup year, as per beIN Sports.
Hence, before he had played his last game at Santos, he was revealed to 57,000 fans at the Camp Nou.
June 2013: Confederations Cup Hero
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Neymar quickly evolved as the star of the 2013 Confederations Cup, scoring a beautiful goal in the opening minutes of Brazil's first match against Japan.
He earned the Golden Ball as Brazil won the tournament, appearing to defy any suggestions he wasn't ready for the biggest stage in the game.
However, upon arriving in Catalunya to train with his new side, Barcelona's doctor showed concern for his weight, claiming he "lacked the odd little kilo," per The Independent.
August 2013: Starting out at Barcelona
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Neymar scored his first Barcelona goal in an August friendly against a Thailand XI.
That month, Neymar revealed that he had been working hard to build up his frame, despite actually losing weight. “It’s coming on well, and I’m training harder and harder every day,” he said, per The Telegraph. “I lost weight after a tonsil operation but I am putting it back on.”
September 2013: His First La Liga Goal
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Due to the physical nature of La Liga and his role sharing attacking duties with Lionel Messi, Neymar took his time settling in at Barcelona and didn't actually score in any of his first six league games.
His first league goal finally came in a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at the end of September.
April 2014: Neymar's Reign in Spain
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Neymar ended his first season at Barcelona with a respectable 16 goals in all competitions (as per ESPNFC).
It was a relatively disappointing season for Barca—they were runners-up in the league and cup and didn't make the final four of the Champions League—but Neymar was gradually getting stronger and putting on the weight required of him.
June 2014: Brazil's (only) Hope at the World Cup
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Brazil went into the 2014 World Cup with their hopes pinned almost entirely on the back of Neymar.
It was a huge responsibility for him to handle, but he was in superb form entering the tournament and scored twice in a controversial opener with Croatia.
The player who was often physically overpowered actually became the aggressor, and he was lucky not to earn a red card for elbowing Luka Modric.
Of course, Neymar's tournament was ended when Juan Camilo Zuniga's knee fractured a vertebrae in his spine and he was forced to watch from the sidelines as Germany strolled to a humiliating 7-1 semi-final win.
October 2014: The Brawny Blaugrana Star
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This season, Neymar is in excellent form, having scored 10 goals in as many matches for the Blaugrana (as per ESPNFC).
This prolific start may have something to do with Messi's evolving role as a provider, but it can also be credited to the additional four kilograms of muscle weight that is changing his game for the better.
"He has gained weight and gained physical power which has also increased its potential," said Brazil's fitness coach Fabio Maserehdijan during the national side's recent sojourn in Asia, per Sambafoot.
In the same manner that Gareth Bale has beefed up to cope with the demands of La Liga, Neymar looks to be shaping up very nicely for continued career success.
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