Neymar Ends His £78.6million Partnership With Nike As He Joins Puma

Arguably one of the best players in the world, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, popularly known as Neymar Jr has joined Puma after news of his new boots supplier partnership was publicized by Puma.

The 28-year-old striker decided to end his £78.6million partnership with Nike after 15 years with the American sports brand, and will now wear Puma’s legendary ‘Puma King football boots’ next season.

He follows the path of Pele, Eusebio, Maradona, Cruyff, and Matthaus who wore Puma boots during their playing days.

As part of the deal, the Brazilian international footballer will also work as a brand ambassador off-pitch, wearing Puma’s most important lifestyle, training, and sport-inspired footwear, as well as apparel products.

In a post via their official social media pages, Neymar’s union with Puma was announced with tag ‘The King Is Back.’

Welcome to the fam @neymarjr #KingIsBack pic.twitter.com/aMPnipZXj9

— PUMA (@PUMA) September 12, 2020

Speaking on what prompted his decision to join the German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories, Neymar asserted that “I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pele, Cruyff, Matthaus, Eusebio, and Maradona.”

His departure from Nike will go down as one of the biggest blow in sports history considering his lustrous journey with the outfit since the age of 13 when he first started wearing Nike cleats before even going professional.

During his rise to stardom at Santos, Nike even supplied sports equipment for the club.

Nike had reportedly signed the striker until 2022 until he terminated his contract.

With the deal ending early, Nike will lose one of their biggest star and his global appeal, while Puma will gain a new face to their brand.

In a lengthy statement detailing his reasons for joining Puma and living Nike- a brand he has been with for pretty much his entire career, Neymar said, “At the beginning of each new season. I take time to think about my career and the choices I have made. I think about the dreams I had when I started in this sport, and the path that lies ahead.”

“This will be a different season, a special season. For that reason as I have done in the past, I decided to write this text.”

“I am about to live a unique experience, a new challenge. I consider myself privileged to have had a life filled with unique experiences and wonderful challenges.”

“I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pele, Cruyff, Matthaus, Eusebio, and Maradona.”

“These were the KING’s of the pitch, the KING’s of my sport. I wish to bring back the legacy that those athletes created on the pitch. They each played in PUMA, and each of them created their magic in The KING.”

“Every time I lace my boots, my KING boots, I will do anything to achieve all of my dreams to honour my name and that of all those great ones who wore the KING before me. This will be my PUMA history. The KING is back!”

“Neymar Jr. joining our PUMA Family is fantastic,” said Bjorn Gulden, the CEO of PUMA.

Expressing his delight in their partnership with Neymar, Bjorn added, “He is one of the best players in the world and extremely influential for the global football and youth culture. We are very excited and look forward to working with him both on and off the pitch.”

As Neymar becomes the latest player to join the sports brand, he joins a long list of high profiled athletes including the likes of Usain Bolt, Sergio Aguero, Luis Suarez, Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku.