‘I followed my heart, not the money, to PSG’

Money was never the motivating factor for Neymar’s record 222mn euro ($263mn) transfer from Barcelona, the world’s most expensive footballer said on his arrival at Paris St Germain yesterday.Before taking to the pitch at the Parc des Princes stadium to show off his skills and new PSG shirt, the Brazilian forward told reporters he had moved to France was because he “wanted a bigger challenge”.“My heart made this decision and I followed my heart,” said the player who will reportedly be paid 45mn euros ($53mn) a year.“Money was never my motivation... I want to be happy, and I want my family to be happy. I’m really sad to hear that people think this way.“If it was just about money, I could have gone somewhere else,” he said.The 25-year-old Brazilian superstar flew into Le Bourget airport, north-east of Paris, in a private jet yesterday morning before heading into the city in a motorcade.He was presented to the international media at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium just after 1:30pm (1130 GMT) in his first public appearance since buying out his contract at Barcelona on Thursday.“I want something bigger, a greater challenge. I am here to give my best and help the club win titles,” said Neymar. He insisted he had come to France “for the ambition of the club, which is very similar to mine.”But Neymar admitted that leaving Barcelona, where he formed part of a lethal attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, was not a decision he took lightly.“It was one of my most difficult decisions. In Barcelona I had adapted well to the city and the team. I had friends there and it has not been easy,” he said.“It was a tense time, thinking about what I should do in my life. I have left behind a lot of friends, but things go very fast in football.”Neymar will be presented to the PSG supporters today prior to his new team’s first game of the Ligue 1 season against promoted Amiens.A ceremony will begin from 3:45pm (1345 GMT) with the kick-off put back quarter of an hour to 5:15pm to allow extra time for the player’s unveiling before an expected sell-out crowd of more than 45,000.But Neymar got a taste of what is to come when he stepped outside the Parc des Princes yesterday in his new team’s kit, to be greeted by hundreds of ecstatic supporters.Neymar, whose last game for Barcelona was in a friendly against bitter rivals Real Madrid last weekend in Miami, insisted he is ready to make his debut against Amiens, even though he had not yet spoken to PSG coach Unai Emery.“I always want to play, so I am ready to do so tomorrow. I have trained in pre-season. I stopped for two days, but I am ready, I’ve seen the pitch and I want to put the PSG shirt on and play,” he said.On Thursday, the French league’s governing body, the LFP, said it would work to ensure Neymar’s contract was ratified “as soon as possible”.The transfer fee shatters the previous world record of 105mn euros set by Manchester United in signing the France midfielder Paul Pogba last year from Juventus.It is an eye-watering sum, but one that PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi insisted will eventually look like a bargain for the player who came third in the Ballon d’Or in 2015 behind Messi and Ronaldo.“There are not two Neymars in the world. I would love for us to meet in two years and see what his value will be compared to today. At least the double,” said al-Khelaifi.PSG are hoping Neymar, who will wear the number 10 shirt, can help them win back the Ligue 1 title lost to Monaco last season, and also finally get their hands on the Champions League trophy.“For me he is the best player in the world. He has already brought a positive energy to the team. This makes us stronger and makes Ligue 1 more interesting across the world. He has signed to win every trophy possible,” said al-Khelaifi.Annoyed Barca won’t pay bonusAFP, Barcelona: Barcelona won’t pay a 26mn euro ($30.8mn) bonus to Neymar for renewing his contract with the Catalan giants in 2016, a club spokesman said yesterday after his decision to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record transfer fee.Josep Vives admitted Barca had been left irritated by the Brazilian’s decision to leave despite signing a new five-year deal last year as PSG paid his 222mn euro ($264mn) buyout clause to leave Barca powerless to prevent Neymar moving on.“Any separation causes annoyance, especially when it is one not wished for by the club due to a unilateral decision on the part of the player,” Vives told a press conference at the Camp Nou.“The player hasn’t fulfilled his contract with the club...given that breach the club will not pay this renewal bonus.”Barca had deposited the bonus with a notary to be paid on September 1 had Neymar remained at the club, but have already recovered the 26mn euros.During his presentation as a PSG player yesterday, Neymar said that “at no point did I lack respect to the supporters or the club” in deciding to bring to an end his four years in Catalonia.However, Vives insisted Barca are unhappy with the way in which his exit came about.“There is annoyance at the decision, but also the way it came about.”Yet, Vives claimed Barca can bounce back from losing out on La Liga and the Champions League last season with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez still among a star-studded squad.“He is a great player, we have enjoyed him a lot, but the world doesn’t end after Neymar,” he added.“It is not the first time that we have gone through a situation like this and the club has continued, grown and become more universal.”The move is not just a huge blow for Barca’s prospects on the field, but their prestige as one of the world’s richest and most successful clubs.It is 17 years since Barca last lost one of their prized assets against their will when Real Madrid paid Luis Figo’s buyout clause for a then world record fee.