Pele’s Legacy: Neymar’s Brand Acquisition and Future Prospects

Pele was a key player for Santos FC from 1956 to 1974, where he made an indelible mark as a football legend. Throughout his tenure with the Brazilian powerhouse, he netted an impressive 643 goals in 659 matches before concluding his career with the New York Cosmos, retiring in 1977.

Recognized as one of the greatest footballers in history, Pele’s legacy is poised to be continued by Neymar and his family, who are set to announce a deal to acquire the rights to his brand later this week. Reports from UOL indicate that an official agreement worth approximately €15.5 million (£14 million / $18 million) is anticipated on Wednesday, November 19, coinciding with the anniversary of Pele’s landmark 1,000th career goal.

The Pele brand, previously owned by the American company Sport 10, primarily focused on event appearances. However, since Pele’s unfortunate passing in 2022 at the age of 82 due to complications from colon cancer, the brand has not been fully utilized. The acquisition by NR Sports will enable them to leverage Pele’s image and name, license merchandise, and access historical footage, all aimed at revitalizing and globalizing the former Brazil star’s image.

Pele’s family remains connected to Santos, with Neymar recently funding renovations for the box at Vila Belmiro that is still occupied by Pele’s loved ones. These upgrades include new seating, a remodeled bathroom, glass paneling, and air conditioning.

Neymar, who has donned the iconic number 10 jersey previously worn by Pele for both Santos and Brazil, is dedicated to honoring his compatriot’s legacy. However, his return to Santos has been hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 13 league starts this season. Santos is also navigating a challenging domestic campaign, currently positioned precariously above the relegation zone in the 2025 Brasileirao. Despite this, they recently secured a vital 1-0 victory against Palmeiras, thanks to a late goal from Benjamin Rollheiser.

Additionally, Neymar faces pressure from Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, following a lackluster performance in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. With Brazil seeking to secure a record-extending sixth World Cup victory, Ancelotti has stated that Neymar is under consideration for the World Cup squad but must demonstrate his form and fitness over the next six months.

Having returned to the national team in March 2023 after recovering from a knee injury suffered in October 2022, Neymar’s future with the Selecao hinges on his physical condition. Ancelotti emphasized that while Neymar has made progress, he must consistently perform to be included in the final roster for the tournament.

Looking ahead, there is speculation regarding Neymar’s future, as he may be available as a free agent starting in January. His current contract with Santos expires at the year’s end, and transfer rumors have begun to circulate. Fabrizio Romano noted that while Neymar is currently focused on helping Santos avoid relegation, his potential availability could intrigue clubs during the January transfer window.

Although Neymar is not engaged in advanced negotiations currently, discussions have begun regarding his situation. Given the caliber of a player like Neymar, any opportunity for a transfer is noteworthy, especially as he aims to regain his best form after a series of injuries.