Wikipedia

David Neres

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Neres and the second or paternal family name is Campos.

David Neres Campos (Brazilian Portuguese: ['deivid ˈnɛɾis]; born 3 March 1997) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Napoli and the Brazil national team.

David Neres
Neres with Brazil U20 in 2017
Personal information
Full name David Neres Campos[1]
Date of birth (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 27)[1]
Place of birth São Paulo, Brazil
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
 Napoli
Number 7
Youth career
2007–2016 São Paulo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016 São Paulo 8 (3)
2017 Jong Ajax 5 (3)
2017–2022 Ajax 121 (37)
2022 Shakhtar Donetsk 0 (0)
2022–2024 Benfica 55 (11)
2024– Napoli 13 (1)
International career‡
2017 Brazil U20 9 (0)
2020 Brazil U23 2 (0)
2019– Brazil 8 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Brazil
Copa América
Winner 2019 Brazil
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:23, 8 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 October 2023

Neres is a graduate of São Paulo's youth system and was promoted to the first team in 2016. He joined Ajax in January 2017. At Ajax, Neres established himself as one of the best young wingers in Europe, after winning a domestic double and being an instrumental part of Ajax's first UEFA Champions League semi-final appearance in 22 years, in a breakthrough 2018–19 season. The following seasons were marked by continuous injuries, resulting in Neres playing a limited number of games and declining in performances, leading him to move to Shakhtar Donetsk. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, he then transferred to Benfica.

After representing Brazil at various youth levels, Neres was called up to the full international team for the first time in March 2019, and was part of the squad that won the 2019 Copa América.

Club career

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São Paulo

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Born in São Paulo, Neres joined São Paulo's youth setup in September 2007, aged ten.[3] In February 2016, after being regularly used in that year's U-20 Copa Libertadores, he suffered a shoulder injury which kept him sidelined for months.

Neres was promoted to the main squad by manager Ricardo Gomes in August 2016. He made his first team – and Série A debut – on 17 October, coming on as a second-half substitute for Robson in a 2–1 away win against Fluminense.[4]

On 22 October 2016 Neres scored his first goal, netting the last in a 2–0 home win against Ponte Preta.[5] Fourteen days later he scored his second goal, netting the second in a 4–0 home routing of local rival Corinthians.[6]

Ajax

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On 30 January 2017, Neres moved to the Dutch club Ajax for a reported fee of €12 million.[7]

2016–2019: Breakthrough and European semi-final

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Neres made his debut for Ajax against Heracles Almelo, on 26 February 2017. In that season, he managed to get 3 goals in 8 league matches. He also featured in an Ajax team that went to the UEFA Europa League final that year.

Neres managed to get 14 goals and 13 assists in 32 league matches, making him the most valuable player of Ajax that year, having scored the most goals and assists combined. Neres himself sees the game against Feyenoord,[8] on 22 October 2017, as his breakthrough, where he racked up three assists in a 4–1 away win.

 
Neres with Ajax in 2019

In his third season, Neres scored his first official European goal against Standard Liège in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Champions League. In that year, Neres wasn't guaranteed a starting spot up until February. Because of this, there were rumours that Neres wanted to leave. In January, Guangzhou Evergrande made a £36.9 million bid on Neres,[9] but Ajax ultimately refused, because they wanted to keep the team together to win prizes that year and make it far in the UEFA Champions League. In the second leg in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, in a memorable game against Real Madrid, Neres scored the second goal to give Ajax the lead on aggregate, and the Dutch side eventually won a by a margin of 5–3, thus knocking the three-time defending European champions out of the competition.[10]

On 31 March 2019, Neres scored the winning goal and picked up a penalty in the championship clash against PSV, to win 3–1.[11] He also scored an important equaliser against Juventus at home to secure hopes for Ajax's semi-final qualification in the first leg at home.

Neres won his first Eredivisie title as Ajax finished three points ahead of rivals PSV. Neres also won his first KNVB Cup when Ajax won 4–0 against Willem II in the final.[12]

2019–2021: Stagnation and final seasons

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Despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester United and Atlético Madrid, Neres signed a new contract with Ajax on 7 August 2019 that runs through 2023. The deal added a further year to his prior deal that was set to expire in 2022.[13]

At the start of the 2020–21 season, Neres came back after his injury. On 22 November, he scored his first goal in more than a year. Since Ajax acquired Mohamed Daramy and Steven Berghuis as wingers at the beginning of the season, competition for Neres increased, as a result of which he was often no longer included in the starting lineup.

Shakhtar Donetsk

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On 11 January 2022 it was reported that Neres was sold to Ukrainian Premier League side Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee of €15 million, which could potentially run up to €17 million with bonuses.[14][15] On 14 January, Ajax confirmed that the transfer had been completed.[16] On 24 February 2022 following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a video was shared online of various Brazilian men's footballers pleading for help from the Brazilian government to help them flee the country.[17] On 1 March 2022 it was reported that the Brazilian players had successfully made it to Romania, from where they travelled home. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin was personally involved in helping to facilitate the return to safety.[18]

Benfica

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Neres with Benfica in 2023, after scoring the winning goal against Club Brugge during UEFA Champions League

On 20 June 2022, Neres signed a five-year contract with Primeira Liga side Benfica, for a reported fee of €15.3 million.[19] The net cost of the transaction was only €300,000, with both Benfica and Shakhtar settling an agreement for the latter's debt, due to the transfer of compatriot and former teammate Pedrinho, which whom Shakhtar had only paid €3 million of a total of €18 million.[20]

He made his debut for the club on 2 August, providing two assists to Gonçalo Ramos in the 4–1 home win over Midtjylland in the 1st leg of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.[21] On 23 August, Neres scored his first goal for the club and provided an assist in the 3–0 home win over Dynamo Kyiv in the 2nd leg of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League play-off round, helping his side qualify to the tournament.[22] Seven days later, he scored his first Primeira Liga goal in a 3–2 home victory over Paços de Ferreira, reaching six goal contributions in six games.[23]

Napoli

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On 21 August 2024, Neres signed with Napoli in Serie A.[24] On 6 October 2024 he came off the bench to score his first Napoli goal against Como.

International career

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Neres with Brazil at the 2019 Copa América

On 8 March 2019, Neres received his first senior team call-up by coach Tite for the Brazil national football team, replacing an injured Vinícius Júnior, for the friendlies against Panama and the Czech Republic to be held later that month. Neres made his senior team debut against Czech Republic on 26 March 2019, in the 63rd minute as a replacement for Richarlison. In that game, he made an assist and produced a backheel which led to a goal, contributing to two goals in the 3–1 win against Czech Republic.[25]

Personal life

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On 12 July 2020, Neres' girlfriend, German model Kira Winona, gave birth to their first child. Their daughter is named Hope Winona Neres.

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 8 December 2024[26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
São Paulo 2016 Série A 8 3 0 0 0 0 3[b] 0 11 3
Jong Ajax 2016–17 Eerste Divisie 4 2 — — — 4 2
2017–18 Eerste Divisie 1 1 — — — 1 1
Total 5 3 — — — 5 3
Ajax 2016–17 Eredivisie 8 3 0 0 4[c] 0 — 12 3
2017–18 Eredivisie 32 14 2 0 3[d] 0 — 37 14
2018–19 Eredivisie 29 8 6 1 15[e] 3 — 50 12
2019–20 Eredivisie 12 6 0 0 8[e] 0 0 0 20 6
2020–21 Eredivisie 25 3 4 2 10[f] 3 — 39 8
2021–22 Eredivisie 15 3 1 0 5[e] 1 1[g] 0 22 4
Total 121 37 13 3 45 7 1 0 180 47
Shakhtar Donetsk 2021–22 Ukrainian Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Benfica 2022–23 Primeira Liga 31 6 3 1 12[e] 4 2[h] 1 48 12
2023–24 Primeira Liga 24 5 2 0 9[i] 0 0 0 35 5
Total 55 11 5 1 21 4 2 1 83 17
Napoli 2024–25 Serie A 13 1 2 1 — — 15 2
Career total 200 54 19 5 64 11 6 1 294 72
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup, Taça de Portugal, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ Appearances in Copa Paulista
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, one appearance in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
  8. ^ Appearances in Taca da Liga
  9. ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played 18 October 2023[27]
National team Year Apps Goals
Brazil 2019 7 1
2023 1 0
Total 8 1

Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by David Neres
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 9 June 2019 Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil   Honduras 5–0 7–0 Friendly

Honours

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São Paulo[28]

Ajax[28]

Benfica

Brazil

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b "David Neres". Primeira Liga. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  2. ^ "David Neres". S.L. Benfica. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  3. ^ "David Neres: nove dos 19 anos de idade dedicados ao Tricolor" [David Neres: nine of the 19 years of age dedicated to Tricolor] (in Portuguese). São Paulo FC. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  4. ^ "De virada, São Paulo bate Fluminense, se afasta do Z-4 e tira o rival do G-6" [In a comeback, São Paulo defeat Fluminense, get away from Z-4 and take the rival out of G-6] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 17 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Promessa faz primeiro gol, São Paulo bate a Ponte Preta e mantém embalo" [Prospect scores first goal, São Paulo defeat Ponte Preta and keep form going] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 22 October 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  6. ^ "São Paulo atropela, espanta fantasma de vez e deixa o Corinthians fora do G-6" [São Paulo thrash, scare away relegation ghost and leave Corinthians out of G-6] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  7. ^ "São Paulo aceita oferta do Ajax, e David Neres vira a 3ª maior venda do clube" [São Paulo accepts Ajax offer, and David Neres becomes the club's 3rd biggest sale] (in Portuguese). ESPN.com.br. 30 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Neres beschouwt trio assists in klassieker als doorbraak". Ajax Life (in Dutch). 19 January 2018. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Chinezen willen 43 miljoen betalen voor Neres, Ajax heeft één voorwaarde". Voetbalprimeur (in Dutch). 10 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Dusan Tadic inspires Ajax to stunning defeat of champions Real Madrid". The Guardian. 5 March 2019.
  11. ^ "Titelrace helemaal open: Ajax is PSV de baas in incidentrijke topper". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 31 March 2019.
  12. ^ "AJAX SEAL EREDIVISIE TITLE TO COMPLETE DOUBLE". knvb.com. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  13. ^ "Neres signs new Ajax deal amid links to Man Utd and Atletico Madrid". Goal. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  14. ^ "Ajax verkoopt David Neres aan Shakhtar Donetsk". De Telegraaf. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Neres verruilt Ajax voor Shakhtar Donetsk". Voetbal International. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Ajax bevestigt vertrek Neres en onthult transfersom". Voetbal International (in Dutch). 14 January 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Brazilian soccer stars stuck in war torn Ukraine beg for help". New York Post. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian players return to their homeland following Russia invasion". Goal.com. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Neres é do Benfica!" (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 20 June 2022.
  20. ^ "Benfica em negociações por David Neres, salário complica operação" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  21. ^ "David Neres arrebata Luz". Record. 3 August 2022.
  22. ^ "Ao intervalo Benfica - Dínamo Kiev: veja o 'filme' dos primeiros 45 minutos". Sapo Desporto. 23 August 2022.
  23. ^ "DAVID NERES EMPATA NA LUZ". A Bola. 27 August 2022.
  24. ^ "Il Napoli ufficializza l'acquisto di David Neres" [Napoli confirms the purchase of David Neres] (in Italian). Napoli. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Czech Republic 1 Brazil 3". BBC Sport. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  26. ^ David Neres at Soccerway
  27. ^ "Neres, David". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  28. ^ a b "David Neres - Career Honours". Soccerway.
  29. ^ "Ajax strike late to down Vitesse and lift their 20th KNVB Cup". Football Oranje. 18 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  30. ^ Eis os 32 campeões de 2022/2023 (oito já tinham saído) - Fotogaleria Archived 29 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine A Bola
  31. ^ Vaza, Marco (9 August 2023). "Benfica soube mudar para ganhar a Supertaça". Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  32. ^ "Brazil 3–1 Peru". BBC Sport. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  33. ^ "Talent van de maand: David Neres" (in Dutch). FOX Sports NL.
  34. ^ "Speler van de Maand: David Neres" (in Dutch). eredivisie.nl. 1 May 2018. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  35. ^ "UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season". UEFA.com. 2 June 2019.
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