Nike part ways with Neymar after 15-year association

Rising through the academy at Santos and the Brazil youth national teams, it was clear to see that Neymar was destined to become the next attacking talisman within the never-ending conveyor belt of talent coming out of the South American nation.

Nike acted swiftly shortly after his 13th birthday with his skills and goalscoring exploits going viral over YouTube at the time attracting global attention.

With an incredible dedication to craft and mental strength, Neymar has lived up to the billing as he looks poised to become the all-time scorer in Brazil national team history and is currently the world's most expensive footballer.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - £41.7-milion for 47 sponsored posts.

2. Lionel Messi - £27.2-million.

3. David Beckham - £9.7-million

4. Neymar - £6.7-million.

5. Zlatan Ibrahimovic - £6.3-million.

6. Ronaldinho - £4.47-million.

Scroll through the gallery to see the six highest-earning football superstars on Intsagram >>>

But his association with the American sportswear manufacture has now come to an abrupt end despite it being a marketing dream with both Paris Saint-Germain and the Selecao being sponsored by the esteemed brand.

Related tags