Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar's former agent, gave an extensive interview to L'Equipe. The Brazilian remembers how his beginnings were at Santos and the years they lived a decade ago when he fascinated the world from Brazil and became the piece that all the greats wanted. The former bank employee reviews his stay in the Real Madrid quarry on trial, Chelsea's attempt, his arrival in Barcelona …
First time he saw Neymar: “He was 12 years old. When I saw him play, I told his father that they were going to break his leg. He dribbled everyone and the defenders came in strong.”
Test at Real Madrid: “He was 13 years old and caused a sensation. He came for twenty days with his father and me. Madrid loved him and was willing to pay, but Marcelo Teixeira, the president of Santos, called me and offered me € 840,000 and € 10,000 a month. At that time, Neymar was earning 700 reais. His father thought it better to stay in Brazil. In Madrid, he had a great time in the countryside and was happy, but outside he cried. He picked up the phone to call his mother. He didn't want to be far away of his mother and sister. “
Chelsea interest in 2010: “They offered him a lot of money, but Neymar didn't want to go”
Neymar renewal: “The managers reacted to compete with the offers from Europe. They met with him and told him that if he stayed he would become a myth, that he would succeed Ayrton Senna in the hearts of the Brazilians. They asked Pelé to call during the meeting even . His father was affected by that call. It was decisive. At that time, in addition, Santos paid very well “.
War between Madrid and Barcelona: “Florentino thought he had it. He accepted an offer that I presented him. He was willing to pay 40 million to Santos and comply with everything we asked for. His father asked him for time because Neymar preferred Barça. Madrid insisted, they sent three managers. They were there for 20 days and they told me: “Come on, we'll sign tomorrow!” But Neymar didn't want to go to Madrid, he wanted to play for Barça. Messi, Piqué called him … I wanted him to go to Madrid. He was close Florentino and Madrid. Sandro Rossell, on the other hand, did not want me to participate in the negotiations with Barcelona. He left me aside and did not pay me a penny for the transfer of Neymar to Barça. They worked with André Cury, who approached Neymar's father. They played it on me. I didn't get anything with that transfer. “
Neymar chose Barça for Messi: “I wanted to play with Messi. That was his choice. I respected him, although it was not good for me. When he signed and was introduced, I felt humiliated. They didn't let me participate. As I get along with Florentino Pérez, they left me out of everything . It was unfair. “
PSG and Neymar already in 2015: “It's true. I told their sports director that they needed him for their dream team. In the summer of 2016 we met in Ibiza, Neymar, his father, Nasser Al Khelaifi and Olivier Létang, the sports director of PSG. It was on the top floor of a hotel, nobody saw us. Neymar earned 11 million and Nasser offered us 26. We asked him 40 million and he told us that he would study it, that he would give him shares in a hotel chain, a private jet and that he would put his name on the Eiffel Tower. Crazy. Not only the financial Fair Play prevented the transfer. Neymar did not want to go to Paris. I was happy at Barça. His father took the opportunity to negotiate his renewal and went on to collect 28 million a year. “
Signing for the definitive PSG without his participation: “It was Zahavi who managed it with Antero Henrique (PSG sports director then). But that year before we prepared the ground well. I introduced Nasser Al Khelaifi to Neymar Sr. But, once again, I have not received anything from PSG or of Neymar. That year I wanted to be signed by Real Madrid. At an economic level, I have not won anything with Neymar. I cannot force PSG or Barça to pay me. “
Neymar's decision to go to PSG: “He could not refuse. PSG paid 222 million and offered him 36 net per year of salary. It is impossible to reject such an offer”
Departure attempt two years after arrival: “At that time, he was close to going to Real Madrid. Madrid was willing to pay 300 million euros for him. Florentino told me. But Nasser refused.” Not for a billion, he is not going to leave! ” , he told me”.
Neymar settled in Paris: “He is happy there. No club in the world can offer him what PSG offers him. Only they can afford Neymar. Madrid have financial problems. Barça? Even worse. In Italy neither and United and City, I don't think so. In Paris he makes a good living and plays in a very good team. This season they will win the Champions League and Neymar will be the Ballon d'Or. “