Neymar Reveals His Dad Wanted Him To Stay At Barcelona After Confirming His £198M PSG Switch

World’s most expensive signing – Neymar, has revealed that he turned down his father’s request to stay put at Barcelona after completing his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar has officially completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona.

The Brazilian superstar has signed a five-year deal with PSG and parted ways with La Liga giants Barcelona in a world record £198m move.

Paris Saint-Germain is very happy to announce the arrival of Neymar Jr ➡ https://t.co/lKFj4qPDYA #BemvindoNeymarJR ?? pic.twitter.com/rSvlBiKX6D

— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) August 3, 2017

But Neymar admitted that his dad wanted him to stay at Barcelona.

After completing his world record move to PSG, Neymar took to Instagram and said: “An athlete needs challenges and for the second time in my life I will contradict my father.”

“Papa, I understand and respect your opinion, but my decision is made and I ask you to support me as you always do.”

La vida de un deportista se mueve por desafíos. Algunos son impuestos, otros son fruto de nuestras decisiones. El Barcelona ha sido más que un desafío. Jugaba con aquellos cracks en el video juego. Llegué a Catalunya a los 21 años, lleno de desafíos. Recuerdo mis primeros días en el Club, compartiendo el vestuario con ídolos como Messi, Valdés, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Piqué, Busquets y otros con la expectativa de jugar en un Club que es “més que un club”. El @fcbarcelona es una nación que representa a Catalunya! Tuve el honor de actuar con el mayor atleta que he visto en mi vida y estoy seguro que no veré a otro mejor, @leomessi se convirtió en mi compañero, amigo dentro y fuera del terreno de juego. Orgulloso de jugar contigo. Formé un ataque con @leomessi y @luissuarez9 que ha quedado para la historia. He conquistado todo lo que un deportista puede conquistar. He vivido momentos inolvidables! Vivo en una ciudad que es más que una ciudad, es una patria. Amo Barcelona y Catalunya. Pero un deportista (YO) necesita desafíos. Y por segunda vez en mi vida le llevaré la contraria a mi papa. Papa, entiendo y respeto tu opinión, pero mi decisión está tomada, te pido que me apoyes como siempre lo has hecho. El @fcbarcelona y Catalunya estarán siempre en mi corazón pero necesito nuevos desafíos. He aceptado la propuesta del @psg para buscar nuevas conquistas y ayudar al Club a alcanzar los títulos que la afición espera. Me han presentado un plan de carrera osado y me veo preparado para este desafío. Agradezco el cariño de la afición blaugrana y todo lo que he aprendido con los deportistas con quien he compartido vestuario. Asimismo siento en mi corazón que ha llegado el momento de irme. El @psg será mi nueva casa durante los próximos años y trabajaré para hacer honor a la confianza que depositan en mi futbol. Cuento mucho con el apoyo de todos. Aficionados, de mis amigos, de los profesionales que me acompañan y de mi familia, que ha sufrido mucho con problemas que han ocurrido en este periodo de mi carrera y merecen paz. Es una decisión difícil, pero tomada con la madurez de mis 25 años. @fcbarcelona , gràcies per tot! @psg , J’arrive! Que Dios nos bendiga y nos proteja!

A post shared by Nj ?? ? neymarjr (@neymarjr) on Aug 3, 2017 at 12:53pm PDT

It seemed that Neymar was frustrated to be in Lionel Messi’s shadow at Barcelona.

But the Brazilian superstar hailed the Argentine magician in his farewell to his former club and team-mates.

He said: “I am sure I will never see another one like him while I’m alive. Leo Messi became my friend on and off the pitch. It was an honour to play with you.”

“I made a trio with Messi and Suarez that made history, conquered everything an athlete can conquer, lived unforgettable moments, lived in a city that is more than a city, it is a homeland.”

“I love Barcelona and Catalonia.”

PSG confirmed the signing on social media on Thursday and will unveil the world’s most expensive player at 12:30pm UK time on Friday.

Neymar activated his 222 million Euro release clause at Barcelona on Thurdsay.

Neymar will take home a mammoth £500,000-a-week AFTER tax wage packet at PSG.

Neymar will don the No 10 jersey at PSG as new team-mate Javier Pastore has handed the coveted number over to the Brazilian.

He told PSG’s club website: “I am extremely happy to join Paris Saint-Germain. Since I arrived in Europe, the club has always been one of the most competitive and most ambitious.”

“And the biggest challenge, what most motivated me to join my new teammates is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.”

ALSO READ: Neymar Completes World Record £198M PSG Move On Five-Year Deal And Sets His Sights On Euro Domination With New Club

“Paris Saint-Germain’s ambition attracted me to the club, along with the passion and the energy this brings. I played 4 seasons in Europe and I feel ready to take the challenge.”

“From today, I will do everything I can to help my new team-mates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world.”