Former Barca forward Neymar tells court: I only signed what my father gave me
- Heinrich Griessel
- 18 October 2022
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar told a court on Tuesday that he was not involved in any of the negotiations regarding his move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.
The former Blaugrana forward appeared in court along with eight other defendants, including his parents, representatives of the two clubs, former Barca presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, and former Santos president Odilio Rodrigues.
The defendants face fraud and corruption charges over the controversial transfer, but all of them denied any wrongdoing.
Neymar, who could face two years in prison if found guilty, made it clear that he only signed what his father put in front of him, and was never part of the conversation.
"I didn't participate in the negotiations. My father always took care of it and always will. I sign everything he tells me to sign," Neymar told the court in Barcelona.
"Playing for Barcelona was always my dream, a childhood dream."
The case eventually found its way to court after initial allegations from Brazilian investment firm DIS.
The case eventually found its way to court after initial allegations from Brazilian investment firm DIS.
They owned a 40% share of the rights to Neymar during his time at Santos, and claim they missed out on their rightful cut of the Barca money because the value of the deal was misrepresented.
A guilty verdict could also cost Neymar and his father £8.7m, while former Barca president Rosell could be hit with a five-year sentence.
