by Wareez Odunayo

It’ s no longer news that Brazilian forward, Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior has joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona after the Spanish club accepted a huge fee of €222 million – the player’s buyout clause.

Neymar’s world record transfer has sent tongues wagging in football circles. Many sports pundits are of the notion that the player may find it hard to deliver due to the humongous sum spent to secure his services.

The flamboyant player will no wear the number 10 shirt for his new side earning £515,000 a week.

Speaking after joing the club, Neymar said, “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. 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 teamates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world.” Neymar said.

Neymar’s record move has also drawn endorsement from the Brazilian world greatest soccer player, Pele.

Taking to his Twitter account to congratulate Neymar, Pele tweeted, “Congratulations @neymarjr, good luck in your new challenge. Paris is a beautiful city, one of my favourite in the world!.”

Meanwhile, the Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger has criticized Neymar’s €222 million move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, saying the move is “beyond rationality”.

But Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho who in February said, players would soon be bought for over €200m sees nothing wrong in the deal, saying it’s not too expensive for a player of Neymar’s quality.

It’s yet to be seen if the player will produce performances worthy of the amount paid as he is yet to kick a ball for his new club side. Neymar’s quality has never been in doubt as he proved his class in Santos as a teenager before moving to Camp Nou. At Barcelona, he won the Spanish La Liga and the UEFA Champions League in his second season. He was a pivotal member of the team under Luis Enrique as his partnership with strike partners Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez proved deadly, as the trio scored over 100 goals that season.

Only time will tell if Neymar will lead PSG to Champions League glory or lift the coveted Ballon d’Or.

Editor