#1 Almost joined Real Madrid as a 14-year-old
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As a tender 14-year-old, Neymar was already setting the field on fire with his runs, his dribbles, his goals and more. Real Madrid, arguably the biggest club in the world, took notice and offered him the chance the join their youth academy in Spain.
With the likes of Ronaldo Nazario, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Robinho all at Real Madrid at the time, Neymar’s family flew down to the Spanish capital at the club’s request. He stayed in Madrid for around 19 days reportedly scoring 27 goals in all of the full-training matches he took part in.
The Madrid giants were convinced of his talent and offered to sign him right there but his family weren’t convinced of him growing up in a foreign land. His dad, Neymar Sr, at the time, said, “We’re from a humble family, and in a humble family there is always the question of cultural values. We thought he had to grow up in Brazil. That was the first serious choice we had to make.”
And so he returned to Santos and began an incredible journey through their youth ranks. Neymar has since scored and assisted multiple goals against Real Madrid with Barcelona.
