Neymar tops Messi and Ronaldo with Puma deal

Puma has dribbled past Nike, nutmegged Adidas and blasted it in the top corner from 30 yards after signing Neymar Jr. on a long-term, big money sponsorship deal. The flamboyant striker has inked a deal with the German cat believed to be worth more than AED 105m per year that will see him wear the legendary Puma King football boot as well as lifestyle apparel and footwear.

The huge contract eclipses Ronaldo’s AED 70m Nike deal and Lionel Messi’s AED 84m pay packet from Adidas. Neymar had been with Nike but left the American brand with two years left on his contract to join Puma in what is a major coup.

In a handwritten message Neymar, 28, explained how he grew up watching videos of Pele, Johann Cruyff, Eusebio and Diego Maradona who all wore Puma boots. The PSG star called them “kings of the sport,” adding, “I wish to bring back the legacy that those athletes created on the pitch.”

“Neymar Jr. joining our Puma family is fantastic,” said an understandably delighted Puma CEO Bjørn Gulden. “He is one of the best players in the world and extremely relevant for the global football and youth culture. We are very excited and look forward to working with him both on and off the pitch.”