Bruna Marquezine's relationship with soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior thrust her life under the spotlight. She became subject to much scrutiny as the media pried for personal information. Although initially tight-lipped, the actress shared some insight into the romance years later.
Bruna Marquezine is an actress and model whose career began when she was a child. By age 10, she had starred in several popular Brazilian soap operas. She eventually moved to the States, where she cemented her name in Hollywood.
She was 18 when her romance with Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, popularly known as Neymar, began and became public news. Fans followed their relationship globally, but the pressures that came with that much exposure were challenging to navigate.
Neymar Jr and Bruna Marquezine attend the Off White show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2019 on September 27, 2018, in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
Bruna Marquezine's Boyfriend: Her Romance with Neymar Was On and Off
Bruna and Neymar met in 2012 at the Rio Carnival. Some sources say they began dating that year, while others report the following year as the start of their romance. They allegedly split in 2013 and reconciled sometime in 2014.
The former lovers broke up and rekindled their love again in 2016. This was followed by another separation in 2017, after which they were seen leaving a club together before ending things for good in 2018. Bruna confirmed their break-up that October.
Bruna Marquezine and Neymar Jr. pose at the 2018 amfAR gala Sao Paulo at the home of Dinho Diniz on April 13, 2018, in Sao Paulo, Brazil | Source: Getty Images
She stated, "It was a decision that came from him, but there is a lot of respect, a lot of love, for him and for everything that we have lived for." Many assumed the couple separated due to conflicting political values, but Bruna shut the speculation down.
At the time, Brazil was undergoing an intense election, and Neymar had reportedly voted for conservative president Jair Bolsonaro. Bruna supported the opposing Worker's Party. Others assumed she and Neymar broke up due to infidelity, but that remains unconfirmed.
Bruna Marquezine and Neymar Jr. are pictured during their ride on Batman at Six Flags Magic Mountain on June 8, 2017, in Valencia, California | Source: Getty Images
Bruna Marquezine on Her Split from the Footballer: 'My Emotions Were on the Line'
Bruna appeared on "Quem Pod, Pod" in September 2022 and spoke briefly about her former flame. Although she admittedly tried to preserve a healthy image of her relationship with Neymar, she revealed how difficult it became.
"I tried to fit in and try to sell a perfect personality, in a perfect relationship, when in fact, we broke up and got back together once a month, my emotions were on the line," she said.
Neymar and Bruna Marquezine are pictured a Special Screening of Paramount Pictures' "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" on February 6, 2017, in Barcelona, Spain | Source: Getty Images
She felt her life was "under a magnifying glass" as it became profitable to be reported on. "But I understood that I couldn't be that character, and I don't have the slightest patience for him," the model, who once battled depression, confessed.
Bruna also spoke about a phase where she confused having little interest in sex for being asexual. She later understood that the desire for such intimacy depended on one's partner and "the moment." At the time, she had focused much of her energy on getting to know herself deeply.
Fans Speculate If Bruna Marquezine Is Now Dating Xolo Mariduena
In August 2022, actor Xolo Mariduena shared a heartwarming birthday tribute for Bruna alongside a slideshow from their shared adventures. The two star in the upcoming DC film, "Blue Beatle," alongside George Lopez.
Some fans are convinced that they're romantically involved; however, as one wrote, "Lol yeah now it's pretty obvi except they haven't rlly said it themselves yet [...] but they cuteeeee, (sic)" others are cautious of the rumors since they haven't been addressed.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jm1ncXFmbnqjvtSnmGalkae%2BtrHZoqWeq12XvLqy0aKcp5xdqbWmecCcq6udo6h7qcDMpQ%3D%3D