Barca’s Neymar reveals why he declined Real Madrid

 Barca’s Neymar reveals why he declined Real Madrid 

Neymar has revealed he declined Real Madrid at the early stage of his professional career.

Back in 2005, when Neymar was only 13 Real Madrid approached his entourage over a possible move to Santiago Bernabéu, but the offer was swiftly rejected as he wanted to establish himself before moving to Europe.

Barca’s Neymar reveals why he declined Real Madrid

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Barca'sNeymar reveals why he declined Real Madrid

“I was 13 and it was my first time in Europe,”, Neymar told L’Equipe. “But I didn’t feel ready to move away from Brazil [to Madrid], there was no hurry. My priority was to be happy, become a professional footballer and then later move to Europe.

“I made the decision together with my family to stay, even though at that time a lot of Brazilian kids were already moving to Europe.”

Discussing Brazil’s draw against South Africa in their opening match of Rio Olympics, he said:

Barca'sNeymar reveals why he declined Real Madrid

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“We knew it wouldn’t be as easy as getting here and taking the gold,” he said after the match.

“For us, the draw is a defeat. The team played to win, but we know our responsibility. We’ll encounter more difficulties [in the tournament].

“We need to know how to overcome [adversity], but we’ll stay calm and make things right as soon as possible so we can have a good game on Sunday.

“The first match is always the hardest because of the anxiety that marks the start of a competition, and I think the anxiety ended up hurting us a little.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona vice-president Jordi Mestre has branded UEFA’s decision to overlook Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez for the Best Player in Europe Award scandalous.

Barca'sNeymar reveals why he declined Real Madrid

“It doesn’t seem the right decision to me at all,” Mestre told TV3.

“I don’t know what criteria UEFA applied, with all respect to the chosen winners, but I disagree [with the choices].

“That our players aren’t there, such as Suarez or Messi, is scandalous.

“The club are very disappointed and angry.”