Neymar pays touching social media tribute to childhood coach who discovered him as a youngster after his death aged 67

Neymar has paid a touching tribute on social media to the childhood coach who discovered him as a youngster after his death at the age of 67.

Betinho Talentos, the man credited with unearthing the talented forward while he was just six years old, passed away on Saturday.

Neymar is said to have caught Betinho’s eye while sprinting up and down the stands during a game, and the talent spotter took him to play futsal.

He then informed Santos they had to move quickly to snap him up for their academy.

After learning of Betinho’s death, Neymar, 32, shared an emotional message. 

Alongside a photo of himself as a young boy next to the coach, he wrote on Instagram: ‘You saw me running in the stands and made me run in several stadiums around the world. You put me in soccer, made my parents take me to my first tryout. 

Betinho Talentos (left) is credited with first spotting the talented forward at the age of six

The esteemed coach died at the weekend and heartfelt tributes have poured in

‘I will always be grateful for that! Watch over us up there. 

‘Rest in peace, Professor BETINHO.’

Betinho discovered Neymar, who would become the world’s most expensive player, in 2004, five years before he made his senior debut for Santos.

Recalling the moment he first noticed the forward’s talent while he was dashing in the stands, Betinho said: ‘He ran effortlessly – as though he was running on the flat – and his fitness, agility and co-ordination made an impression on me.

‘I looked over at the father – he was well built and had good control. I looked at Nadine – she was tall and thin. Neymar’s parents were fine biological specimens.’

Santos also paid their respects in an official statement.

‘Santos FC deeply regrets the passing of Betinho, one of the great technical scouts and talent scouts in Brazilian football,’ the club said.

‘Betinho played a direct role in the development of great athletes from Santos’ youth academy, being responsible, for example, for recruiting Neymar Jr. 

‘His story will always be intertwined with that of Santos FC.’

Neymar, now at Al-Hilal, is currently sidelined after suffering an injury setback in October, having only recently returned from an anterior cruciate ligament lay-off.