Neymar was unveiled as a Paris Saint-Germain player on Friday after his world record €222 million move from Barcelona was completed.The Brazilian delivered a press conference in which he stressed money had no part in his decision to sign for PSG and spoke of his desire to win trophies."I wanted a new challenge,” he said, per the Telegraph. “This was about ambition. My heart told me that it was time to sign for Paris Saint-Germain. It was the right time to leave Barcelona and find new challenges."I was never motivated by money. I thought above all else about of the happiness of my family, regardless of money. I regret that some people think this is the case."He added: "I wanted to come to Paris and it was only linked to finding a new challenge. It is not because I was not THE star at Barcelona, I fitted in very well there. This is not what I am looking for here.“PSG deserve trophies and I will have new trophies, this is what motivates me, I want to dream bigger."
He's been compared to Figo
Barcelona fans have, naturally, expressed their anger at Neymar’s departure. Some have burned their ‘Neymar’ jerseys, and the 25-year-old has also been compared to Luis Figo.
Figo swapped Barcelona for Real Madrid in 2000 and was blasted by fans of the Blaugrana. On his return to the Camp Not, banners hung around the stadium reading: “Traitor”, “Judas”, and “Scum”, and at another match a pig’s head was thrown in his direction.
Neymar was asked about the comparisons in his introductory press conference, and he’s not at all pleased about them.
Watch Neymar’s response below.
“I’ve done nothing bad,” he said. “It’s difficult to answer this question.
“I’m sad about the fact that the fans actually think that. I hope it’s just the minority of fans that think that.
“I never lacked respect to the fans.”
It’s only natural for Barcelona fans to be upset about the departure of one of their most important players but at least Neymar has moved to a different league, unlike Figo.
And with €222m to spend, it would be a major surprise if Neymar’s replacement wasn’t signed before the transfer window shuts.
Ousmane Dembele appears to be the most natural fit, and Paulo Dybala, Philippe Coutinho and Kylian Mbappe have also been linked.