Football
PSG move not about the money – Neymar
Neymar speaking at his first press conference after completing his move to PSG
Brazil forward Neymar says it is “sad” that people think his world-record move from Barcelona to Paris St-Germain was motivated by money.
The 25-year-old joined the French club for a fee of 222m euros (£200m) and he will earn 45m euros (£40.7m) a year.
Neymar, who is “ready to play” in PSG’s first league match on Saturday, also said his price tag was “not a burden”.
PSG chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi added that Neymar could have earned more money at another club.
The Ligue 1 club’s total outlay on the Brazilian is expected to be £400m.
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Asked if he was motivated by money at his official unveiling at the Parc des Princes, Neymar replied: “What I say to these people is they don’t know anything about my personal life, I was never motivated by money.
🔥 @neymarjr 🇧🇷
Quel accueil ! 😍 pic.twitter.com/H6bOMXhHz8— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) August 4, 2017
“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.”
Al Khelaifi added: “Neymar came here for motivation, a project that he believed in. He can get much more money than we give him, that’s for sure”.
The new Figo?
Former Portugal winger Figo left Barcelona for rivals Real Madrid in 2000, for a then world-record fee of £37.4m, after Madrid paid his buyout clause.
The move was greeted with anger by Barcelona fans.
Et pendant, @neymarjr avec le maillot du @PSG_inside sur la pelouse du Parc ! 🏟
Bienvenue en ton nouveau jardin 🙌 pic.twitter.com/tte5CuTRcK
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) August 4, 2017
When asked how he felt about being compared to Figo, Neymar said: “I have done nothing bad. I am sad about the fact that the fans think that.
“You are not obligated to remain at a club, if you wish to leave then the player has that right.”
Al Khelaifi added: “He left as a gentleman. It’s not fair to compare him with other players.
“He was trying to delay the process out of respect for Barcelona’s players and fans.
“I’m shocked by the question.”
‘Don’t worry about FFP’
Neymar’s move was protracted as Liga officials rejected the payment of his buyout clause from his lawyers.
They instead had to deposit the money at Barcelona’s club office.
The La Liga stance is that French club PSG are violating Uefa’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, and Barcelona previously said they would report PSG to European football’s governing body UEFA for a FFP breach.
Al Khelaifi defended the deal, saying: “We will be very transparent with Financial Fair Play, I have a strong team with me. If you are thinking about it, go have a coffee and don’t worry about it.
“There is only one decision that matters and that is with UEFA. We are working very transparently with UEFA.
“We don’t care about speculation in the media. We care that what we are doing is transparent and completely legal.”
