Neymar: Why I Chose Barça Over Madrid

Brazilian superstar Neymar has revealed that his decision to join FC Barcelona over Real Madrid was guided by his heart rather than logic. Speaking during an interview with Brazilian legend Romário, Neymar shared the emotional and challenging moments that led to his career-defining move.

“I don’t regret my choice to pick Barcelona over Real Madrid. I went with my heart there,” Neymar said, adding that his lifelong admiration for the Catalan club made the decision feel inevitable.

A Childhood Dream Realized By Neymar

Neymar explained that his love for Barcelona began during Ronaldinho’s era.

“Barça was the team I loved. I always watched and said: I want to play there. It happened,” Neymar recalled.

However, the transfer was far from simple, as both Spanish giants were eager to sign the Brazilian prodigy.

“Those were intense days. For two or three days, I wasn’t even training, just going from my house to the office to resolve this,” Neymar shared.

Torn Between Two Giants

Representatives from both clubs persistently pursued him, making the decision even harder.

“Real Madrid’s people were calling me from one side, and Barcelona’s people were calling me from the other. Both presidents were talking to me. I couldn’t rationalize. I imagined myself playing for both,” Neymar revealed.

Ultimately, it was his emotional connection to Barcelona and the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi that tipped the scales.

“I obviously wanted to play with Messi!” Neymar said, describing the Argentine as a key factor in his choice.

Despite fulfilling his dream, Neymar admitted that his early days at Barcelona were far from easy.

“I spent the first six months at Barça with butterflies in my stomach. I couldn’t dribble anyone, I couldn’t get by anyone, I was doing everything all wrong,” Neymar confessed.

One particularly tough moment came during a match against Athletic Bilbao, where Neymar broke down at halftime.

“I went into the washroom crying, thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ Then Messi knocked on the door,” he revealed.

Messi, along with Dani Alves, offered words of encouragement that helped Neymar rediscover his confidence.

Looking back, Neymar reflected on the highs and lows of his career with gratitude.

“All of the mistakes I had in my career, in my life choices, were to help me grow and mature. So I don’t regret anything,” Neymar said.

During his time at Barcelona, Neymar cemented his place as one of the world’s best players, forming a legendary partnership with Messi and Luis Suárez in the club’s attack.