Neymar explains why he doesn't wear Jesus headband anymore

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 29 Oct 2025 05:51 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Brazilian superstar Neymar has explained why he no longer wears a headband which features the phrase '100% Jesus' on the front.

In his early days at Santos, Neymar caught the attention of many football fans not just due to his generational skill levels, but also his unique look.

A skinny teenager, he wore the headband with a signature mullet underneath and also sometimes wore a band across his nose.

The look was extremely marketable.

However, he eventually stopped wearing the headband at Santos and didn't wear it at subsequent clubs Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain or Al Hilal.

But why?

When asked by a young child on popular show Altas Horas, he responded:

“This headband was given to me by my mother when I was 11 years old. I used to wear it when I was little, playing futsal.

“But when I went to Santos, they told me to take it off. I cried because I didn’t understand why I couldn’t play with my headband.

“My mother explained to me that even if I don’t wear the headband on the field, I continue to carry Jesus in my heart.

“Now, I only wear this headband when I win a very important title. To pay tribute to my mother but also to Jesus.”

Neymar has been known to bring the headband out during title celebrations.

Neymar's career uncertainty

The Brazilian developed into one of the finest players on the planet during his time at Barcelona and remains the most expensive player in history since his €222 transfer from the Spanish giants to Paris Saint-Germain.

A €90 switch to Al Hilal proved to be a disaster and he is now back at Santos, though he isn't the prince of the club like before and tensions are rising.

Neymar’s father recently responded to a stunning transfer rumour relating to his son.

Due to injury and form issues, O Globo reported that Santos are getting ready to release the star at the end of his contract in December, and now the player’s camp have hit back.

“It my opinion, it was not written by a columnist but someone who has no commitment to the truth,” Neymar senior wrote on Instagram. “Once again, we must publicly deny this information. It’s regrettable.”

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has also responded to the claims.

In comments relayed by Lance! he said: “Santos are currently fully focused on our competitions. We’re in constant contact with Neymar’s father but no discussions have taken place regarding the extension of his contract.

“We will assess the situation when the time comes. Neymar will stay as his return is not planned for six months or a year. This is a project aimed at next year’s World Cup, for Santos and for Brazil.

“Of course, financial and technical issues will be analysed, but for now, no negotiations have taken place regarding the extension of his contract."

Neymar has played 21 times for Santos, scoring six goals and creating three more.

Once regarded as one of the leading players in the world, he has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) tumble to just €4.2m.

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•App Store