It’s unfeasible now to think Neymar can ever play for any other side than Barcelona but there was a time when this Brazilian player was keen to play for Real Madrid – not Barca – this shocking discloser has been made by the his father just recently. Had it been any other, no one would have trusted him but since Sr. Neymar is supposed to be the best one to talk about his son, it has to be trustable. Recently there have been reports in Spanish media talking about the sides who were keen to bring 24-year-old into their den and prominent of them were Real Madrid of course along with Barca’s Clasico rivals, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United. Although, none of these reports has any feasibility now since former Santos player has signed another extension for the Blaugrana that will tie him with the side until 2021 disheartening all the aspiring sides willing to take him into their army.
Anyways, it is obvious there would have been several sides willing to sign the sensational forward but it is surprising that he was himself interested in joining Barca arch rival initially. Talking about the time when Neymar has had more loyalty for Real, Neymar Sr. said in an interview given to Mundo Deportivo yesterday, “Madrid were interested through intermediaries. I always said the same thing to everyone: if Neymar leaves Barca, you have to pay the €190 million release clause, plus the taxes on that money. And with everything else, it would end up being €430m.
“The offers didn’t reach him; they came to me. I know what Neymar wanted and that was to stay. I receive a lot of people in my office in Brazil: sponsors, people keen to support the Neymar Institute … and of course, some people come to know if Neymar has a future at another club. But I’m very clear on this: To get him away from Barcelona, you have to try to take away the happiness that he has here. If he wanted to chase financial benefits, everyone knows he would not be at Barca. But Neymar is happy where he is and has made some strong friendships.
“Neymar never had any doubts about staying. The only doubts there could have been were on my part, as a businessman and his representative, but I didn’t have any doubts, either, because I know him and I know he’s really happy here. As much as I want to be a successful businessman and make money, what interests me more is my son’s happiness.”