Former Barcelona scout Andre Cury has revealed that Neymar turned down a €100 million tax-free offer from Real Madrid, choosing to join Barcelona instead due to Lionel Messi’s influence and the club’s appeal.
Before his move to Barcelona in 2013, Neymar had the opportunity to sign with Real Madrid. Despite the lucrative offer, he opted for the Catalan side, where he initially earned a lower salary but later became one of the club’s highest-paid players.
Cury, who played a key role in Neymar’s transfer, expressed pride in securing the deal, crediting Messi and Barcelona’s prestige for persuading the Brazilian star to reject Madrid’s proposal.
In 2017, Neymar left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after the French club activated his €222 million release clause, setting the record for the most expensive transfer in football history.
During a 2022 interview, Neymar confirmed that Real Madrid had shown interest in him as early as age 10. He trained with the club for a week and was impressed by their legendary squad, which included Brazilian stars like Ronaldo, Robinho, Julio Baptista, and Roberto Carlos. However, he ultimately returned home due to homesickness.
Currently, Neymar is reportedly considering a return to Barcelona after his contract with Santos expires this summer. Discussions have taken place, but the club has yet to make a final decision.
Messi to Miss Argentina’s World Cup Qualifiers
In other football news, Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Argentina’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to a groin strain sustained during Inter Miami’s recent victory over Atlanta.
Messi will miss Argentina’s match against Uruguay on Friday, followed by a crucial encounter with Brazil on March 25. Inter Miami confirmed in a statement that scans revealed a “low-grade injury in the adductor muscle” but did not specify a recovery timeline. His availability for upcoming games will depend on his response to treatment.
After missing three matches earlier this month, Messi returned with a goal in a CONCACAF Champions Cup game.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, are in a strong position to qualify for the next tournament. They currently lead the 10-team South American qualifying group by five points ahead of their clash with Uruguay in Montevideo.
