Sorry dad, but I need a new challenge: Neymar
Neymar has revealed his decision to move to French football club Paris St Germain from Spanish giant Barcelona was made against the wishes of his father and agent, Neymar Sr.
The Brazilian football superstar moved into the record books this week as PSG paid a world record transfer fee for the striker, some €222 million (NZ$354M).
Yesterday, the striker commented on the move for the first time, saying the decision was made contrary to what his father wanted. He said in an Instagram post (see page end) it was only the second time in his life he and his father had disagreed.
‘‘I formed an attack with [Lionel] Messi and [Luis] Suarez that has gone down in history,’’ said the Brazilian striker.
‘‘I have won all that a player can win. But a player [me] needs challenges. And for the second time in my life I’ll contradict my father.
‘‘Dad, I understand and respect your opinion but my decision has been taken. I ask that you support me as you always do.’’
The 25-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the French side after they triggered the release clause in his Barcelona contract, and said the decision to leave the club he joined in June 2013 was his and his alone.
‘‘I feel in my heart that the time has come for me to leave,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a hard decision but I made it with the maturity I accumulated throughout those 25 years.’’
Neymar’s father is one half of their company NN Consultoria and the guiding light behind the money-spinning offshoots that have helped the Brazil striker become one of the world’s highest grossing athletes.
Their commercial and advertising ventures have proven so lucrative that Neymar is sometimes referred to as Neymarketing. The former Santos player will be presented to PSG fans on Saturday. Media reports have said he could earn around €550,000 (NZ$877,000) per week.