2018 begins in style for Neymar. The Paris Saint-Germain striker won the Samba Gold Trophy for the best Brazilian player in Europe, for the third time in four years (27.7% of the votes).

He finished ahead of his Seleção teammate and winner of the 2016 prize, Philippe Coutinho, who totalled 16.64% of the vote. In third position, Real Madrid Marcelo’s left-back is also on the podium with 14.43% of the vote. For its tenth year of existence, the Samba Gold has once again roused the enthusiasm of fans of Brazilian football.

Nearly 50,000 voted online. The votes of fans were combined with those of a selection of international journalists and former Brazilian players who wore the Seleção jersey, such as Taffarel, Marcio Santos and former Lyon midfielder Juninho. The Brazil star will receive his trophy in February in Paris.

Full results:

Neymar 27,71%

Philippe Coutinho 16,64%

Marcelo 14,43%

Paulinho 13,64%

Casemiro 7,19%

Gabriel Jesus 2,74%

Willian 2,63%

Malcom 2,03%

David Luiz 1,64%

Ederson 1,57%

Roberto Firmino 1,43%

Daniel Alves 1,26%

Marquinhos 1,16%

Fred 0,92%

Fabinho 0,86%

Taison 0,79%

Alisson 0,61%

Thiago Silva 0,54%

Willian José 0,42%

Giuliano 0,28%

Luiz Gustavo 0,25%

Anderson Talisca 0,25%

Alex Sandro 0,25%

Fernandinho 0,21%

Vagner Love 0,14%

Jemerson 0,11%

Douglas Costa 0,11%

Filipe Luis 0,07%

Danilo 0,06%

Miranda 0,05%

Votes from internet users :

Paulinho 31,83%

Neymar 14,43%

Philippe Coutinho 13,57%

David Luiz 4,93%

Willian 4,85%

Roberto Firmino 4,30%

Marcelo 2,89%

Daniel Alves 2,76%

Fred 2,76%

Taison 2,38%

Casemiro 2,37%

Alisson 1,82%

Willian José 1,25%

Gabriel Jesus 1,16%

Malcom 1,03%

Giuliano 0,85%

Luiz Gustavo 0,76%

Anderson Talisca 0,76%

Alex Sandro 0,75%

Ederson 0,67%

Fernandinho 0,62%

Thiago Silva 0,61%

Fabinho 0,56%

Marquinhos 0,45%

Vagner Love 0,41%

Jemerson 0,33%

Douglas Costa 0,32%

Filipe Luis 0,22%

Danilo 0,19%

Miranda 0,16%

Former Players votes:

Neymar 39,39%

Philippe Coutinho 17,17%

Marcelo 10,10%

Paulinho 9,09%

Malcom 5,05%

Ederson 4,04%

Casemiro 4,04%

Marquinhos 3,03%

Willian 3,03%

Gabriel Jesus 2,02%

Thiago Silva 1,01%

Daniel Alves 1,01%

Fabinho 1,01%

Paulo César: Coutinho-Neymar-Gabriel Jesus

Ricardo: Paulinho-Coutinho-Neymar

Ceara: Neymar-Marcelo-Daniel Alves

Juninho: Neymar-Marcelo-Fabinho

Alex Dias: Neymar-Marquinhos-Thiago Silva

Oscar: Neymar-Coutinho-Marcelo

Edmilson: Coutinho-Ederson-Gabriel Jesus

Taffarel: Neymar-Paulinho-Ederson

Paulo Sergio: Neymar-Willian-Paulinho

Marcio Santos: Malcom-Casemiro-Coutinho

Odair Patriarca: Neymar-Marcelo-Casemiro

Journalist Votes:

Marcelo 30,30%

Neymar 29,29%

Philippe Coutinho 19,19%

Casemiro 15,15%

Gabriel Jesus 5,05%

Fabinho 1,01%

Annie Gasnier (RFI): Marcelo-Coutinho-Neymar

Bertrand Latour (RTL): Casemiro-Marcelo-Neymar

Nicolas Vilas (SFR Sports): Coutinho-Neymar-Gabriel Jesus

Dave Apadoo (L’Equipe): Marcelo-Neymar-Casemiro

Didier Roustan (Europe 1): Neymar-Coutinho-Marcelo

Rodrigo Cerqueira (Globoesporte): Neymar-Marcelo-Coutinho

Leo Bertozzi (ESPN):Marcelo-Casemiro-Coutinho

Tancredi Palmeri (beIN Sports): Marcelo-Casemiro-Fabinho

Gustavo Hoffman (ESPN): Neymar-Gabriel Jesus-Coutinho

Marcelo Bechler (Esporte Interativo): Neymar-Casemiro-Gabriel Jesus

Dassler Marques (UOL): Coutinho,Marcelo,Neymar

History:

2008: Kaka (Milan AC)

2009: Luis Fabiano (FC Séville)

2010: Maicon (Inter Milan)

2011: Thiago Silva (Milan AC)

2012: Thiago Silva (PSG)

2013: Thiago Silva (PSG)

2014: Neymar (FC Barcelone)

2015: Neymar (FC Barcelone)

2016 : Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

2017: Neymar (PSG)