After four years in Barcelona, Brazilian striker Neymar is moving from the Cataluña capital to Paris. He signed a $268 million deal that is going to be world’s biggest ever, reports Los Angeles Times.
Paris Saint Germain has activated the player's buyout clause that more than doubles the former record, set by French forward Pogba, who switched Juventus in Italy for Manchester United in a $116 million deal.
The French club will present its new player this Friday, in Paris. In Barcelona, Neymar played with the jersey number 11. At his new home, he will play with the shirt number 10, which in soccer is usually given to the most valuable player in the team.
More millions
Neymar’s contract with Barcelona was set to be terminated in 2021. The new agreement with Paris Saint Germain ties the 25-year old player to the French club through 2022. According to British tabloid The Sun, Neymar may be pocketing $650,000 per week in his new club, which will certainly make of him one of the most well-paid players in history.
In 2011, Reuters reported that Paris Saint Germain was bought by Qatari investors. Since then, the club has invested millions to build a winning team, but up until now, the French club didn’t make their dream of conquering the Uefa Champions League come true. Neymar is now their hope to finally reach the pinnacle of Europe’s greatest champions.
Solid record
During his four seasons in Barcelona, Neymar helped the club to win four important championships. In the seasons 2014-15 and 2015-16, they won the Spanish National Championship, La Liga.
Also in the season 2014-2015, the club conquered the UEFA Champions League, which features Europe’s most competitive clubs. Crowning it all, they won in 2015 the Fifa Club World Cup, with the best clubs from each continent.
Along with Argentine Lionel Messi and Uruguayan Luiz Suaréz, Neymar formed one of the most effective offensive trio in the world, the nightmare of any defensive player. Neymar alone scored 105 goals during his four years in Barcelona.
Warm results in 2016-2017
While in 2014-15, Barcelona won all the possible titles, last season the team had only one positive moment.
They came in second place in La Liga and left the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-finals, losing in a match against Juventus. The Italian club went further to the final in Cardiff only to lose to Barcelona’s main rival Real Madrid.
Although Barcelona loses a lot with Neymar’s departure, it will now sit with a considerable cash pile that might be used for bringing a replacement or even more than one. The club is reportedly seeking Monaco’s sensation of the season Kylian Mbappe, reports The Sun. The French player could soon be joining the Catalan club.
