SAO PAULO: Teenaged Brazilian striker Neymar da Silva Santos Junior was named the country’s player of the year on Monday.

Neymar did not attend Monday night’s ceremony in Sao Paulo as he was on his way to Tokyo to compete in the Club World Championship.

The 19-year-old, who also won the best striker’s award, has been a target for a number of top European clubs but extended his contract with Brazilian side Santos FC last month to 2014.