Amid ongoing speculation about a potential return to FC Barcelona this summer, Neymar Jr. has opened up about his 2013 transfer to the club. The Brazilian superstar revealed that both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich made desperate attempts to sign him before he ultimately chose Barça.

Real Madrid Offered a Blank Cheque, But Neymar Chose Barcelona

Speaking on ‘Podpah,’ one of Brazil’s most popular podcasts, Neymar shared exclusive insights into his career-defining move to Barcelona and how Real Madrid tried to hijack the deal.

“Real Madrid’s offer was a blank cheque. They told me I could have whatever I wanted… but my heart was set on Barça,” Neymar admitted, emphasizing his emotional connection to the club.

Despite being offered nearly three times the salary at Madrid, Neymar was determined to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldinho and play alongside Lionel Messi.

“Florentino Pérez always liked me, but Ronaldinho had played at Barça, and I wanted to play with Messi,” he added.

Pep Guardiola’s Secret Meeting to Bring Neymar to Bayern Munich

The 33-year-old also disclosed that Pep Guardiola personally attempted to sign him for Bayern Munich, making Neymar one of his first transfer targets.

“I almost went to Bayern because of Pep Guardiola. After I won the Puskás Award, my father called me at 2 a.m. I picked up, and he told me to open the door… I was in my boxers,” Neymar recalled.

To his surprise, his father, Pep Guardiola, and a translator were at his doorstep.

“Pep told me: ‘I want to sign you and take you with me, no matter which club I go to. I will make you the best player in the world.’”

Guardiola even presented a detailed tactical plan, demonstrating how Neymar would fit into his system.

“He showed me a document, opened his laptop, and explained where I would play. He also told me, ‘If you don’t score 60 goals in a season, I’ll change my name.’”

However, Neymar’s heart was set on Barcelona. “In the end, I decided to sign for Barça.”

Neymar Helped Messi Improve His Penalty Technique

During the interview, Neymar also revealed an interesting anecdote about helping Lionel Messi perfect his penalty technique.

“Messi asked me: ‘How do you take penalties like that?’ I told him, ‘Are you crazy? You’re Messi! If I can do it, you can too.’ Then I taught him, and he trained,” Neymar shared.

Additionally, he confirmed that his recent stunning ‘Olympico’ goal (scoring directly from a corner) was intentional.

“I was thinking… if I score this, their fans will have to watch it. I scored, turned to them, and said: ‘So, what now?’” Neymar laughed.

Why This Matters

• Fans Gain Exclusive Insights – Neymar’s revelations offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at major transfer battles.
• Barcelona’s Legacy – His decision to join Barça over Real Madrid and Bayern Munich underscores the club’s allure.
• Messi & Neymar’s Bond – Their close relationship extended beyond the pitch, shaping each other’s games.

With transfer rumors swirling, Neymar’s latest comments add fuel to the speculation about a potential Barcelona comeback. Could we see the Brazilian magician donning the Blaugrana colors once again?