Neymar: I followed my heart to PSG — not the money

Neymar Jr., the most expensive football player in human history, says he followed his heart not the money, in making his multi-million dollar move to Paris St-Germain.

Speaking at a news conference in Paris, Neymar said “my heart made this decision and I followed my heart”.

Neymar who will be paid about 45 million euros ($53 million) a year, said “money was never my motivation … I want to be happy, and I want my family to be happy. I’m really sad to hear that people think this way”.

“If it was just about money, I could have gone somewhere else,” he added.

Neymar said he is not burdened by the price tag, which obviously raises expectations from across the footballing world.

“Being the most expensive player in the world is not a burden. I weigh 69 kg. I don’t have a burden on me.”

Neymar denied that he was tired of playing in the shadows of Lionel Messi at Barcelona, he said “it’s not that I wanted to be the big star at Barcelona”.

“That’s not what I’m looking for here. I’m looking for a new challenge, new trophies, and this is what motivates me.”

“I can play tomorrow (against Amiens). Why not? I’ll speak to the staff, but I really want to play. I haven’t discussed where I will play. I will play where the coach wants me to.”

“I only stopped playing in the last two days and I’m hungry to play football.”