Neymar acquires the iconic Pelé brand in a $18 million deal, aiming to preserve and expand the legacy of the football legend
Brazilian football star Neymar Santos Jr. has acquired the iconic Pelé brand in a landmark $18 million deal, the company owned by his father, NR Sports, announced on Tuesday.
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The acquisition was formally announced at the Pelé Museum in Santos, the coastal city celebrated for being the hometown of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, widely known as Pelé.
Neymar Santos Sr., owner of NR Sports, described the deal as a milestone and a chance to “enhance [Pelé’s] identity and bring it into the present.”
While the terms of the purchase remain confidential, Brazilian media reports indicate the deal was valued at approximately $18 million.
Flavia Nascimento, Pelé’s daughter, attended the ceremony and expressed her gratitude.
“There are no words to describe the emotion of bringing back a brand that is the soul, humanity, love. It’s priceless… as his daughter, I feel honoured and happy,” she said.
NR Sports described the acquisition as a “repatriation” of one of football’s most enduring symbols, calling it “a decisive step towards the preservation, expansion, and enrichment of the legacy of the King of Football.”
Pelé, who led Brazil to World Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1970, remains one of the most celebrated figures in global football.
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The brand acquisition ensures that the legendary legacy of the late footballer, who passed away in December 2022, continues to influence sports and culture worldwide.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
