'Watch over us from up there' - Neymar pays emotional tribute after death of coach who discovered Brazil and Al-Hilal star

Betinho Talentos, who is credited for discovering Brazil icon and Al-Hilal star Neymar, passed away on Saturday. Mourning the death of his first coach, the 32-year-old shared a heartfelt post on social media. The cause of death of Betinho has not been disclosed.

Taking to Instagram, the former Barcelona star shared a photograph of himself as a young boy standing beside his coach as he wrote in the caption: "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. I will always be grateful for that! Watch over us up there. Rest in peace, Professor BETINHO."

Betinho, who worked for Santos for a long time, discovered a young Neymar in 2004 and brought him to Vila Belmiro to join the Brazilian club's youth system. The player then went on to make his senior debut for Santos in 2009 and thereafter established himself as one of the finest players in Selecao's history.

The Brazil international is currently sidelined with a fresh injury that he picked back in October upon his return from a lengthy anterior cruciate ligament injury layoff. It remains to be seen now when he fully regains his fitness and finally return to the pitch.