Speculation was rife that Barcelona forward Neymar met with officials from arch-rivals Real Madrid at the recently concluded FIFA Ballon d’Or ceremony. However, the Brazilian’s father has swiftly dismissed the rumours terming it “an invention”.
Reports said that Neymar, his father and the player’s agent, Wagner Ribiero had an unofficial meeting with the Real Madrid heirarchy ahead of the gala, which saw Neymar’s teammate Lionel Messi pick up his 5th Ballon d’Or trophy as he, himself, was named as the 3rd best player of the year with Los Blancos’ Cristiano Ronaldo separating the Barcelona duo.
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Although, Neymar Sr. admitted that the two parties’ paths did cross, he clarified by saying that it was nothing more than a greeting owing to a chance meeting because of their presence in the same hotel.
He said, “This meeting with Real Madrid is an invention, it's silly. We were all together in the same hotel, the directors of Barcelona and Real Madrid. We greeted them, but there was not any meeting. This is an invention.”
He slammed the reports of the meeting by questioning the logic behind the rumours.
“Andre Cury (an agent who usually handles Barcelona's affairs in South America) is a Barca employee, so how are we going to meet with Madrid if he was there? It does not make any sense,” explained a fuming Neymar Sr.
Neymar wants to renew contract with Barca
The 23-year-old’s father also revealed that his son wants to renew his contract with Barcelona at the end of the season. With his current contract expiring in 2018 and clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid circling over the forward, this would be welcome news for the fans of the La Liga and Champions League champions.
“We have a contract with Barcelona and Neymar is happy at this club,” Neymar Sr expressed. “He wants to renew his contract at the end of the season.”
Rubbishing rumours of Neymar’s agent Ribiero striking a deal with Madrid, he said that he is Neymar’s only representative and any club that wants the 23-year-old will have to approach him first.
He revealed, “I am Neymar's sole representative and the only one who can negotiate on his behalf.”
Neymar has been in stellar form for Barcelona this year, scoring 16 goals and providing 9 assists in just 17 La Liga appearances while the Champions League has seen him involved in 5 goals in as many appearances. So, this news will come as a boost for the Camp Nou faithful.
