From Globo and the Federative Republic of Brazil, we bring you what should be the end of the Neymar transfer shimmy. Once again from our friend and neighbor to the south, Mark Gannon.
Neymar: “I hope I’ve been an example for other young players”
Forward says it’s not the right moment to go and play football in Europe, but admits that making the decision was quite difficult: “My head was like a cloverleaf”
By Adilson Barros, GloboEsporte.com, Santos
There was a time when a young player, whenever asked about his greatest dream, would respond in the following way: “to be a starter on my club and reach the Seleção.” After football became a machine that moves unimaginable fortunes, with European clubs going down below the equator to take valuable and relatively cheap “merchandise,” the discourse changed: “My dream is to play in Europe.” But on Thursday, Neymar subverted what seemed to be the natural course of his career.
The Santos “gem” said no to Chelsea. He refused a salary of around €4MM (R$9MM) per year, plus a signing bonus, to stay at Santos. He wants to establish himself as a Santos idol, win titles, solidify his position on the Brazilian national team, and only after that, when he’s more mature, transfer to Europe. He hopes other promising youngsters follow his example.
“I think I stand out in a positive way in Brazilian football for having refused a very good offer. I hope to be an example for other players, that they’ll think carefully and stay more time with the clubs they love, that they’ll score more goals here, that they’ll develop.
Santos president Luis Álvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, also hopes “the Fish” is blazing a new trail for Brazilian clubs.
“We are constructing a new possibility. Santos wants to show that things can be different. We no longer accept the model of an underdeveloped country, always at the mercy of economic power. Neymar is staying to solidify his position as an idol. And more. Starting now, you will be witness to the birth of a legend,” said the executive, excited by the way the drama ended.
Neymar admits the Santos offer is very good. The club will promote the kid’s image outside Brazil and will establish bonuses for objectives achieved. Neymar will be trained in media relations, and work will be done on his image. Marketing actions will be taken so the player will see his income increase.
Despite all that, however, what “the Fish” offers in salary doesn’t come close to what Chelsea offered.
Even so, Neymar decided to stay.
“Money alone does not bring us joy. What weighed heavily in my decision was the happiness staying at Santos brings. I talked a lot to my father. It was really hard to make the decision. My head was like a cloverleaf. But it wasn’t the right moment to go.”
Finally, Neymar guarantees the decision was not based on fear that his style of play might not fit well in English football.
“It was not because of a matter of style. If you can play in Brazil, you can play anywhere. I didn’t go because it wasn’t the right moment.”
