Neymar: Barcelona transfer decision influenced by Brazilian phone call
NEYMAR was convinced to quit Barcelona for PSG by a former Ligue 1 winger Nene.
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Neymar joined PSG in a £200million deal back in the summer.
Barcelona reluctantly sold their star striker after PSG triggered his release clause.
Neymar is thought to have wanted to leave in order to come out from under Lionel Messi’s shadow and be the top dog at a European powerhouse.
He has set his sights on winning the Ballon d’Or next year.
And Nene, who played for PSG between 2010 and 2013, revealed he spoke to Neymar to convince him to head to Paris.
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"We had already talked about it on the phone,” Nene told L’Equipe.
“I told him, ‘I know you're good at Barcelona but you've already won everything there. Imagine if you come to Paris.
“This team is at the same level as yours, because you were knocked out of the Champions League."
Neymar has impressed during his first six months in Ligue 1.
But there are reports that he could look to complete a shock more to Real Madrid next summer.
Yet Nene reckons Neymar is happy in the French capital and that the challenge of winning the Champions League will keep him at PSG.
“I told him, ‘You had a hard time qualifying, it was a miracle. But the structure of PSG is healthy, maybe better than at Barcelona,” he added.
“The city is beautiful, and in addition, you can win the Champions League with a team that has never won it.
“You love the new challenges and this one is greater than another Champions League with Barcelona.’
“He listened to me. When he signed, I was very happy.”
