Neymar: Desire for 'bigger challenge,' not money, behind switch to PSG
Paris Saint Germain’s newest star, Neymar, says he felt no obligation to remain with Barcelona and that the prospect of embarking on a new challenge was too much to resist while contemplating his future in the days leading up to his transfer to the French capital.
The Brazilian began a new chapter in his illustrious career with his unveiling to the media Friday, alongside club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, after PSG secured his services for a world-record fee of €222 million.
The motive behind the switch was the primary focus as the media searched for an explanation as to why Neymar would spearhead a transfer away from one of the biggest club’s in the world.
Speculation that joining PSG was fueled by greed or an eagerness to escape Lionel Messi’s shadow were rejected by Neymar, who declared that a desire to take on new challenges convinced him to end his four-year stay in Barcelona.
Related: Winners and losers from Neymar’s world-record move to PSG
“This was about ambition,” Neymar confessed, courtesy of the BBC. “I wanted a bigger challenge, and my heart made this decision and I followed my heart. I want to help this club achieve and win trophies.”
He rejected the notion that Messi’s influence at Barca, as well as his status as arguably the world’s best player, had impact on his decision to leave.
“No, quite on the contrary,” he responded when asked about moving out of Messi’s shadow.
“One of my motivations to play for Barcelona was to play alongside Lionel Messi, he was my role model.
Related – Watch: Neymar gets raucous welcome from jubilant PSG fans
“There was no pressure at all there, only during the first week at Barcelona where I was nervous to train with my role models.
“But after that first week, I was relaxed and to play with the best is very easy because every player wants to play with the best in the world to win titles together.”
Al-Khelaifi was adamant that the extravagant price paid to Barcelona was a worthy investment, as Neymar’s value, along with the club’s, would skyrocket in the coming years. In fact, Neymar’s arrivals has already boosted the value of the club.
“Before Neymar the value of the club was $1 billion, now it is $1.5 billion,” he said.
Related – Timeline: How PSG pulled off the most expensive transfer in history
While PSG is already considered one of the world’s finest following the injection of money when a Qatari investment company became the majority stakeholder in 2012, football’s most coveted prize, the UEFA Champions League, has eluded the six-time Ligue 1 champion.
However, the club’s failure in the competition, including last season’s humiliating elimination at the hands of the Brazilian and Barcelona, is a challenge Neymar revealed that he was eager to accept.
“I want to write history at PSG, this is the only reason,” Neymar said. “There are new challenges and I want to help write history. Our biggest challenge is the Champions League, but want all the trophies.”
Al-Khelaifi echoed his sentiment, and clarified reports suggesting Neymar paid the €222-million buyout clause rather than PSG: “Our ambition is to win the Champions League, that is always there. We want to win the maximum trophies we can. It is our dream and we will fight for it. The players need to enjoy it.
“We paid the buyout clause, not Neymar.”
Al-Khelaifi also revealed that the French side is in the process of working with the European governing body, to ensure all aspects of the transfer agreement are transparent.
Meanwhile, Neymar has come under intense criticism from the Barcelona faithful, who have deemed him a traitor and have drawn parrallels with Luis Figo, who famously departed the Catalans in favour of joining rivals Real Madrid in 2000.
He reaffirmed his appreciation for the support during his four years at the Camp Nou, but explained that he was not abandoning the team and that it was his right to pursue other opportunities.
Related – Neymar bids Barcelona farewell, asks for father’s blessing
“I have done nothing bad. I am sad about the fact that the fans think that. I hope it is only a minority. I never lacked respect to the fans and I think every player should be allowed to stay or leave a club,” he said.
“You are not obligated to remain at a club, if you wish to leave then the player has that right.
“Once again, I want to thank the fans, the club, the players.”
Neymar added that he’s prepared to feature in his new team’s Ligue 1 opener against Amiens on Saturday, but PSG has yet to confirm whether he will be available for selection.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
