Real Madrid News
Lionel Messi convinced Neymar to choose Barcelona over Real Madrid in 2013
Neymar has become a hot topic in Spain right now as his trials over alleged corruption continue.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has recently revealed the club’s bid to sign the player a decade ago. He further stated that it was the player who opted to join Barcelona. Such has been confirmed by Neymar himself, as he thought of Barça as his ‘dream club’.
A new chapter in this hearing now sees Neymar’s former agent, Wagner Ribeiro, offer his side of the story.
The Brazilian, who used to be Neymar’s agent during his time at Santos, claims he had suggested at the time that the forward should join Real Madrid. But the player subsequently had a talk with Lionel Messi, who convinced him to join FC Barcelona instead.
“Once Real Madrid withdrew from the bid, Neymar had a conversation with Messi that was essential for him to sign for Barcelona,” Ribeiro said (h/t MARCA)
“I wanted him to go to Real Madrid who sent him a contract to sign. It was then that conversation with Messi took place and he decided on Barcelona,” he added.
There are reports that suggest Real Madrid had placed a much higher bid than Barcelona in their attempts to sign Neymar. However, Santos agreed the €40 million offer from Barcelona, which DIS, the investment agency that used to own 40 percent of the player’s rights, claims was part of the club’s plan to receive the revenue off the record.
DIS further claim that Santos and Barcelona worked together to hold several financial transactions that ultimately saw the Catalans pay much higher than the €40 million that was agreed upon.
But as the transactions were not part of official negotiations, DIS was devoid of the funds. As such, the Brazilian company has pressed some serious charges against not only Neymar’s family but the former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu as well.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid the most likely destination for Kylian Mbappe with Liverpool not pushing for transfer
Journalist Florian Plettenberg has affirmed that despite Liverpool’s continued interest, Real Madrid remain the most realistic destination for Kylian Mbappe either for next year or the year after that.
As far as PSG are concerned, the Ligue 1 champions are totally relaxed over the drama as they are now financially secure for his possible departure. Nonetheless, Liverpool are not at all pushing for the player which leaves Real Madrid as the only team as suitors.
Mbappe has declined an extension offer from PSG, as his current deal is set to expire in 2024 and the 24-year-old forward seems poised to determine his future destination sooner rather than later.
As for Real Madrid, while they have denied holding any talks with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, the interest in him has always been there as he remains one of the club’s main targets for 2024.
One last attempt for Mbappe?
Real Madrid have been chasing Mbappe since 2021 and while there have been instances when he almost joined, the move has always failed to materialise for some reason.
Last year, he ended up signing a new contract and this year, as he looked certain to leave PSG, a sudden change of heart saw him stay put. Now, there are going to be some repercussions of his continued ignorance.
These repercussions Mbappe will experience if rejects Madrid once again as it is said that the team from the Spanish capital is fed up with playing this game and if the move fails next summer, the door for Mbappe will be closed forever.
On the contrary, Plettenberg reports that it is not a matter of if for Mbappe, but a matter of when.
So even if they somehow miss out on his acquisition this summer, they will be able to sign him in 2025 as they are currently the only team running for his signature.
