In an exclusive interview with Brazilian legend Romário, Neymar shared the highs and lows of his journey to Barcelona, detailing his dramatic decision to join the Catalan giants over arch-rivals Real Madrid.
“I don’t regret my choice to pick Barcelona over Real Madrid. I went with my heart there,” Neymar stated, reflecting on his long-standing admiration for the club since Ronaldinho’s era.
The transfer saga, described by Neymar as "intense," saw both clubs battling for his signature. Representatives from Real Madrid and Barcelona persistently contacted him, and both club presidents were heavily involved. "Real Madrid’s people were calling me from one side, and Barcelona’s people were calling me from the other," he recalled. Ultimately, Neymar’s passion for Barcelona and the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi swayed his decision.
“Barça was the team I loved. I always watched, and I always said: I want to play there. It happened,” Neymar said, adding that Messi’s presence made Barcelona even more irresistible.
Despite fulfilling his dream, Neymar admitted that his initial months at Barcelona were challenging. He struggled to adapt to the team’s style and doubted his abilities. “I spent the first six months at Barça with butterflies in my stomach. I was like…, I can’t dribble anyone, I can’t get by anyone, I’m doing everything all wrong.”
One particularly low moment came during a match against Athletic Bilbao, where he broke down in tears at halftime. Neymar recounted how Messi and Dani Alves provided crucial support during this period. “Messi knocked on the door and told me to play without pressure,” he revealed. Their reassurance helped him regain confidence and eventually thrive at the club.
Reflecting on his career, Neymar expressed gratitude for the lessons learned from both successes and mistakes. “All of the mistakes I had in my career, in my life choices were to help me grow, help me mature. So I don’t regret anything,” he concluded.
Neymar’s candid revelations underscore his deep connection to Barcelona and the pivotal role Messi and Alves played in shaping his journey as one of football’s greats.
