The global sports company PUMA launched a collection today in partnership with the Neymar Jr. Institute, a community center founded by Neymar Jr. to help underprivileged youth in his former neighborhood of Praia Grande, near Santos.
For this special edition collection and the FUTURE INJR soccer cleats, PUMA worked alongside the children at the Institute to create illustrations inspired by the Brazilian icon and to celebrate Neymar Jr. for giving back to the community that shaped him. The children were asked to draw “what Neymar means to them” and how he inspires them, with PUMA using a mix of different drawings created by the children for the final design.
The children featured in the campaign are the ones who created the sketches for the final design over a period of about 18 months, from the original illustrations to the launch of the final collection. The children were also asked to write their names, which will appear on the insoles of the soccer cleats and on the collars of the T-shirts in the collection.
“The Institute is very special to me. Since it opened in 2014, we’ve been able to help underprivileged children and families through sports, education, and health care. The Institute is a place where children can go after school to learn additional skills that will help shape their futures. I’m very proud of the team behind this incredible place and the impact we’ve had on the community, reaching more than 10,000 people. Being able to work with some of the children on a collection was a wonderful experience for me, and I hope I can make them proud by wearing the soccer cleats they made for me,” said Neymar Jr.
The soccer cleat itself is designed with an adaptive FUZIONFIT360 upper that combines double-layer mesh, stretch knit, and PWRTAPE to secure the foot in a comfortable, supportive fit—allowing you to play with or without laces. The 3D textures engineered in key contact zones have been optimized to enhance grip and ball control, while the outsole utilizes our Dynamic Motion System to improve stability, agility, and traction.
As a step toward a better future, the FUTURE INJR soccer cleats are made from at least 20% recycled materials.
The Neymar Jr. Instituto Collection features items designed by children from the Neymar Jr. Institute, including Neymar Jr. training tops, practice jerseys, shorts, sweatshirts, cotton T-shirts, backpacks, baseball caps, shin guards, and soccer balls in sizes for children and adults. Celebrate soccer and the Neymar Jr. Institute with the Neymar Jr. Instituto Collection, available starting September 7 at PUMA stores and at www.PUMA.com
