Brazilian football icon Neymar has finally opened up about one of the biggest transfer sagas in modern football. He revealed on the Brazilian podcast Podpah how Real Madrid tried to lure him with an open-ended offer.
However, he ultimately chose Barcelona in 2013. Despite the chance to earn three times more at Madrid, Neymar followed his heart to fulfill his dream of playing alongside Lionel Messi.
Table of Contents
A Dream Worth More Than Money
At just 21 years old, Neymar was already among the most sought-after talents in world football. Having dazzled at Santos, clubs across Europe were eager to sign him. Real Madrid, a club known for its Galácticos policy, made a determined push to acquire the young Brazilian. However, Neymar stunned many by opting for Barcelona.
“Real Madrid’s offer was a blank cheque, they told me I can have whatever I want… but I wanted Barça with my heart,” Neymar said on Podpah, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
Despite the financial incentive offered by Los Blancos, Neymar’s admiration for Barcelona’s style of play and his desire to team up with Messi proved decisive.
“I’d have made three times more money at Real Madrid. Florentino always liked me. But Ronaldinho played there and I wanted to play with Messi,” he added.
Early Links to Real Madrid
Interestingly, Neymar’s association with Real Madrid dates back to his teenage years. In 2006, he spent ten days training with the club’s youth academy, where he impressed the coaching staff. Ramon Martinez, Real Madrid’s technical secretary at the time, recalled how Neymar’s talent stood out even among established youth players.
“Neymar was training for 10 days at the age of 13 in Real Madrid’s youth academy. And, buff, he was an alien. He dribbled past everyone, and goal. Another play, and goal,” Martinez recounted.
However, negotiations fell apart due to a minor yet significant detail. The club refused to meet the demands of Neymar’s family to purchase a house for his grandparents in Brazil, a decision that ultimately led to his return to Santos.
Barcelona’s Gain, Real Madrid’s Loss
Barcelona secured Neymar’s signature for €57 million in 2013, and the move proved to be a masterstroke. The Brazilian formed a formidable attacking trio with Messi and Luis Suárez, helping the club win multiple trophies, including the 2015 UEFA Champions League. Meanwhile, Real Madrid assembled their own attacking force, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale leading them to numerous successes.
Neymar eventually moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a record-breaking €222 million, but his time at Barcelona remains one of the most memorable chapters of his career. Reflecting on his decision, Neymar stated:
“My dream was to play for Barcelona. Ronaldinho, Messi… My dream was to play with Messi. And that’s when I decided to go to Barcelona.”
Guardiola’s Attempt to Bring Neymar to Bayern
During the podcast, Neymar also revealed another fascinating piece of football history—Pep Guardiola’s attempt to sign him for Bayern Munich. Before joining Barcelona, the Brazilian star was approached by the legendary coach, who personally visited him to pitch his vision.
“In my underwear and T-shirt, I open the door, there’s my father and Guardiola. I went back, put my shorts on,” Neymar said.
Guardiola even showed Neymar a tactical plan on his laptop, promising to make him a superstar. However, the lure of playing at the Camp Nou alongside Messi proved stronger than any other offer.
Neymar: “I’m Not an Angel”
During the same interview, Neymar also opened up about the challenges he faced in his career. He believes that players have been harsher toward him than they were with Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I’m not an angel on the field, I know that,” Neymar admitted. “At times, I thought they were chasing me because of my profile.” He explained that his playing style often led to aggressive treatment from opponents.
“Players are more irritated with me than with Messi and Cristiano. I always try to take risks, I’m always a guy who takes a lot of risks in the game. That’s why I suffer a lot of fouls, that’s why I had a lot of injuries. I always try to have the ball and solve for my team.”
Read More: Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos Faces 2 Month Layoff Following Hamstring Injury
FAQs
Why did Neymar reject Real Madrid’s blank cheque offer?
Neymar revealed that Real Madrid offered him a blank cheque, allowing him to name his price. However, he chose Barcelona because he wanted to play alongside Lionel Messi and was inspired by Ronaldinho.
Did Neymar train with Real Madrid before joining Barcelona?
Yes, Neymar trained with Real Madrid’s youth academy when he was 13. However, the deal fell through as the club refused to pay for his grandparents’ housing in Brazil.
Which other club tried to sign Neymar before Barcelona?
Pep Guardiola personally tried to bring Neymar to Bayern Munich, promising to make him the best player. However, Neymar ultimately chose Barcelona.
Why does Neymar think he gets fouled more than Messi and Ronaldo?
Neymar believes his dribbling and risk-taking playstyle irritates opponents more than Messi and Ronaldo, leading to frequent fouls and injuries.
How much did Barcelona pay for Neymar, and for how much was he sold?
Barcelona signed Neymar for €57 million in 2013 and later sold him to PSG for a world-record €222 million in 2017.
