Soccer superstar Neymar launches music career

Brazilian soccer hero Neymar is hoping to become the latest sportsman to land success as a pop star.

The 24-year-old, who led the Brazilian national team to its first gold medal win in men's football at the Rio Olympics this summer (16), took to Twitter at the weekend (ends10Sep16) to announce a new project centred around his other love of music.

"This Wednesday (14Sep16) I begin my music career and I’m going to release my first song on Facebook," he wrote to his more than 20 million followers.

Neymar, who also plays for Spanish club FC Barcelona, also noted that he will perform under the name Neymusico.

The star has long incorporated music into his public persona, and became well known for promoting Brazilian modern pop music through social media.

He has also performed with Brazilian artists such as Michel Telo, Gusttavo Lima, Joao Lucas & Marcelo, and he even appeared in the music video for rapper MC Guime's track Pais do Futebol.