PARIS – Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, said on Friday that money was never the motivating factor in his record €222 million (about R3.53 billion) transfer from Barcelona to Paris St Germain.
The Brazilian forward told a news conference on his arrival in the French capital that he was motivated by desire for a new challenge, and said he wanted to make his debut on Saturday.
“I wanted a bigger challenge, and my heart made this decision and I followed my heart,” he told reporters at the Parc des Princes stadium.
“Money was never my motivation,” said the player, who is reportedly being paid €45 million per year.
Neymar Mania hits Paris!!! 🔥 🇧🇷 😍 pic.twitter.com/4DcaWx88cd
— PSG English (@PSG_English) August 4, 2017
“I want to be happy, and I want my family to be happy. I’m really sad to hear that people think this way.
“If it was just about money, I could have gone somewhere else.
“Being the most expensive player in the world is not a burden. I weigh 69kg. I don’t have a burden on me.”
Neymar holds his new PSG shirt alongside chairmanNasser Al-Khelaifi. Photo: AP
Neymar denied that he had tired of playing second fiddle to Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
“It’s not that I wanted to be the big star at Barcelona,” he said.
“That’s not what I’m looking for here. I’m looking for a new challenge, new trophies, and this is what motivates me.”
The PSG kit looks pretty good on @neymarjr, doesn't it? 🙌
Welcome to your new stomping grounds! 🏟 pic.twitter.com/lfCl792NLI
— PSG English (@PSG_English) August 4, 2017
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who introduced the player as “an idol for the whole world”, backed up Neymar’s assertion that he could have gone elsewhere for more money.
PSG fans may only have to wait a few days to see if their new superstar player is worth the money.
“I can play tomorrow (against Amiens). Why not? I’ll speak to the staff, but I really want to play. I haven’t discussed where I will play. I will play where the coach wants me to.
“I only stopped playing in the last two days, and I’m hungry to play football.”