Paris Saint-Germain have unveiled Neymar.
The French club made him the most expensive footballer in history when they triggered his €222m (£198) release clause on Thursday evening. Neymar has also become one of the world’s highest-paid players, earning a reported €30m (£26.8m) a year after tax.
He’ll also receive a signing bonus, and his father, Neymar Sr, will reportedly receive 10% of the transfer fee.
However, according to Neymar, the move isn’t motivated by money.
No, he didn’t stop playing with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andreas Iniesta at Barcelona because he wants to earn £520,000 a week and live in Paris.
“What I say to these people is they don’t know anything about my personal life, I was never motivated by money,” Neymar said at Friday’s press conference.
“If I was following the money, I would be somewhere else, with other clubs in other countries. I’m really sad that people still think that way and I’m glad that PSG believe in me.”
🎙️@neymarjr: "I wanted a new challenge. This was about ambition." #BemvindoNeymarJR 🇧🇷
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 4, 2017
PSG chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi said the 25-year-old could have earned more money at another club, but didn’t specify which club, and that he joined PSG for “motivation, a project that he believed in.”
Neymar “really sad to hear” people say decision to join Paris Saint-Germain was motivated by money https://t.co/nqOwWYqqUt pic.twitter.com/ll0OFgBpq7
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 4, 2017
Maybe he hasn’t joined the club for money, maybe he has always wanted to play against Metz, but most weren’t buying Neymar’s claim.
Give me the money, prove them wrong.
— Lou (@DigglerUK) August 4, 2017
my God, really?! There are people out there who thought that?! What is the world coming to!
— Soluki (@salukionsolana) August 4, 2017
— Mike Doran (@bandwagon) August 4, 2017
Of course not… pic.twitter.com/7YhBDS4fWx
— Gareth Boon (@kvltswingking) August 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/rhylanharris/status/893455101590982656
Neymar: “It’s not about money, it’s about ambition” pic.twitter.com/E2sOOwkBd7
— ΛЯSΣПΛL ЯΣPӨЯT (@ArsenalReport) August 4, 2017
Neymar: "PSG move not motivated by money."#Neymar pic.twitter.com/12I2tdNeXo
— G (@Forkner_SW) August 4, 2017
— R. (@gtfoionneedthis) August 4, 2017
Moving from most powerful league on 🌍 with one of the greatest football clubs in history to join a tinpot French league not motivated by $?😂
— Dean (@Deano_vW) August 4, 2017
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