From dirty-poor shanty town to football's £200m deal that's shocked football

By ChiDubem Michael

A boy raised in poverty ridden Brazil just completes the most expensive transfer in football history. As a "rags to riches" story, you could not have a more dramatic script. The fee to take striker Neymar away from Spanish giants Barcelona to clutches of Paris Saint-Germain is 21st century world-record transfer fee of £200million, a deal that could ultimately be worth £576million, more than half a billion pounds.

Definitely Neymar's life in France would not be as the same as that of the "dirt poor" shanty town of Mogi das Cruzes in Sao Paulo, where Neymar da Silva Santos was born on Februray 5, 1992. Neymar's early years were a struggle growing up in one of the most densely populated cities on earth. Thus, his family were all squeezed into his grandparents' house.

Neymar's father, who is now his manager held three jobs to make ends meet for the family. He described the area they lived not long ago, around 2000 before Neymar Jr. became a professional footballer, as the place where the city "threw their garbage".

Since very early age of Neymar Jr., his father Neymar Sr. have always helped his son pursue all his dreams. Hence, Neymar's first contract was when he was still young. As a child he was hyperactive and  wanted to be everything; Superman, Power Rangers. His dream seem to have ended when the youngster at four months old was thrown from a car in an accident, but yet the little boy developed into a footballing genius.

Neymar's first coach, Betinho, said "I saw a six-year old running through the stands and that caught my attention. His ability, agility, and motor coordination. Of all the boys, none of them had what Neymar has. He moves fast. That is the facility to trick your opponent, to dribble, to move your own body."

Then, Neymar had signed for top Brazilian club Santos at age of 11. However, under the guide of God's love and his family, he moved to play for Barcelona at age of 21. Since these times, Neymar has been influential to huge young Brazilians that follows him. Despite a petition against him thatb he was called up by national team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa at the age of 18, he continued to rise.

Neymar made his name with Barcelona though he could have joined Real Madrid at 14 years old. Though he travelled  to the Spanish capital he chooses the cultural values of growing up in his home country. Consequently, there was West Ham of which he spoke to the via a video link-up but decided against a move to East London.

On the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world, Neymar has been named being the only footballer on the list. Thus, his popularity continues to grow.

In 2011, Neymar had a son, David Lucca by ex-girlfriend Carolina Dantas. However, it is said he have an on-off relationship with Brazilian actress Bruna Marquezine.

Neymar's move to PSG has been dubbed the most "political transfer" in history, paid for by the riches of the Qatari family that own the elite French club. Reportedly, his father will pocket £24milion from the deal. This invoked a buy-out clause set at £199milion. The size of the deal is shocking even to the mega-bucks world of  football.

However, supporters took to social media to express their shock and opinion regarding the transfer. Thus, Barca teammate Lionel Messi posted an image of their shirts in the changing room and wrote: "it was an enormous pleasure to have shared all these years with you." Neymar replied: Thanks, brother. I will miss you uncle". So the astonishing rags-to-riches story was complete.

Wow...nice. I tell you what; be good and at your best in your trade, you too can rise from rags to riches. Just believe in yourself and you'll see at the zenith of success.