How Messi made Neymar leave Barcelona: Neymar’s Father reveals

Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr., has revealed the real reason behind his son’s record-breaking move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017. According to him, Neymar left to avoid overshadowing Lionel Messi, not for financial gain.

The Historic Transfer

In 2017, PSG paid a staggering €222 million to Barcelona, setting a world record for the highest transfer fee in football history. This move marked the end of the iconic ‘MSN’ trio of Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez at Camp Nou. While many speculated about the reasons for Neymar’s departure, his father has now shed light on the personal motivation behind it.

What Neymar Sr. Said

Speaking on the Jota Jota Podcast, Neymar Sr. explained:
“Going to PSG was his decision. At that time, things were complicated at Barcelona. The club seemed to want him to take Messi’s place, but Neymar didn’t want that. He didn’t want to be the main star and decided to leave. I wanted him to stay, and we tried until the last moment, but he left because he didn’t want to take Messi’s position.”

Neymar’s Loyalty to Barcelona

Neymar Sr. also revealed how his son had always dreamt of playing for Barcelona, even turning down a more lucrative offer from Real Madrid to join the Catalan giants.
“Signing for Barcelona was his choice,” Neymar Sr. said. “I had offers from both Barca and Madrid. Madrid’s offer was three times higher, but Neymar chose Barcelona because he wanted to play alongside Messi and Suarez. That was his dream.”

Did You Know?

Although Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, later claimed that Madrid’s offer wasn’t as high as reported, Neymar’s decision reflected his priorities—choosing a club that matched his ambitions rather than the biggest pay cheque.

What Happened Next?

At PSG, Neymar aimed to step out of Messi’s shadow and become the star of a team with its own ambitions. While he reunited with Messi in Paris and won two Ligue 1 titles, they failed to secure the Champions League, PSG’s ultimate goal.

Now at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar could be set for another reunion with Messi, as reports suggest Inter Miami are interested in signing him after his injury-hit spell in the Middle East.