A leading figure in international women’s football, Eva Neymar was one of the first African players to make her mark at a top European club. As a trailblazer, she encourages young girls to take up football from a very early age.
She is probably one of Senegal’s best-known female footballers. And yet, few people know her real first name. Officially registered as Ndeye Awa Diakhaté, she has been nicknamed Eva Neymar since she first started out. The striker has a fast, highly technical playing style, characterised by the dribbling skills that have made her famous. Enough to see her as the female equivalent of Brazilian international Neymar Jr.
A comparison that pleases the Senegalese player. “It makes me so happy, because Neymar is a player I really like a lot”, she explains.
Far from the Seleçao bench, it is in the national colours that her career has seen its greatest highlights. In 2022, the Senegalese international scored the very first goal in Senegal’s history during the group stage of the Women’s AFCON, held that year in Morocco. Senegal, who were up against Uganda, won 2–0. The Lionesses, led by a decisive Eva Neymar throughout the tournament, eventually lost to Zambia in the quarter-finals.
Surpassing one's limits
In July 2023, during a friendly match against Algeria at the Lat-Dior Stadium in Thiès, a serious cruciate ligament injury brought Eva Neymar to her knees. Barely seven minutes after kick-off, the Lioness attempted a volley following a pass from Korka Fall. She landed awkwardly and injured herself.
Despite the excruciating pain, Eva Neymar pushed beyond her limits. She insisted she was able to continue the match and remained on the pitch. Before collapsing moments later, in the 22nd minute.
Back at the top level
Having undergone emergency surgery, the number 10 is forced to stay off the pitch for several months. Following this injury, Eva Neymar refuses to give up: she embarks on a long period of rehabilitation, doing everything she can to maintain her level of play.
Far from weakening her, her knee injury has only strengthened her determination. Behind the scenes, the Lioness did her best to rebuild herself and regain her strength. Her faith helped her get through this ordeal. “In life, faith in God is essential, because it guides and accompanies us at every stage”, she says.
In the spring, Eva Neymar returned to training with Marseille and was recalled to the national team. On 4 June 2024, nearly a year after her injury, she made a remarkable return to the Senegal national team during a friendly match between Senegal and South Africa. Coming on in the dying minutes of the match, the striker showed resilience and gradually found her feet on the pitch again.
Supporting the growth of women’s football
Now an iconic figure for the Lionesses of Teranga, Eva Neymar is currently shining in the colours of Olympique de Marseille, one of Europe’s leading clubs. She was one of the first African players to make her mark at the European level.
Drawing on this experience, the striker encourages young girls to take up football, a sport still dominated by men. “I tell my younger sisters that it doesn’t matter whether they’re footballers, basketball players or handball players; the key is to stay focused on their goals. Today, they have even more opportunities than we did, because women’s football is growing more and more.”
As an official ambassador for the 2026 Dakar YOG, her commitment to young people is significant. “My only dream is to set up a major training centre, like Diambars FC or Dakar Sacré-Cœur… but exclusively for girls. That’s my goal. If every centre had a women’s section, women’s football would have already reached a much higher level”.
