Neymar's father rallies against the Barcelona board after PSG move

Neymar's father spoke to El Partidazo on Cope on Friday after his son completed his 222 million euro move to Paris Saint-Germain. 

One of the topics which came up was Barcelona's decision to not pay the 26 million euro bonus which came with the forward's contract renewal last year. 

"If people don’t respect what was said then I won’t respect what they write," Ney Sr. said. “Barcelona have to do what they believe is right, but I know what we talked about and I can clearly look their eyes over what was said and what wasn’t said. I know what we did."

He also revealed that he "was on Barcelona’s side, trying to convince him to stay. But with the attitude of their board, I changed my opinion." 

Neymar's father also asked for respect for his son's decision and said that "we left through the front door because we told the club first, we did the deal and that’s it, it's over. It’s now clear that our separation could’ve gone differently, but life goes on."

"He was comfortable, in an area of comfort, calm… He listened to the advice of his friends. He listened to the people around him, he wanted to face this challenge, and now he’s following his destiny. I think he’s shown a lot of courage, he had the right to make that choice."

For Neymar's father, it's nothing to do with being jealous of Lionel  Messi: "he didn’t want to be the leading light [at Barça]. Barcelona had one [in Messi] and he’ll always be it, not only because of the love and respect that Neymar has for Leo, he’s his idol.

“Imagine everyone said that he had to be [Messi’s] substitute. He doesn’t want to be his substitute. Neymar has to go his own way and take on the challenge he has in front of him. It wasn’t fair for Leo or Ney.

“I think my son, up to this point, has done well, understanding what Leo represents, not only for Catalonia but world football in its entirety. I think he’s shown a lot of respect [to Messi] and now he has to go his own way."

And on the Ballon d'Or and if his son left to win the coveted prize, he added: "Do you really think PSG can guarantee him the Ballon d’Or?

"It's crazy to think that, it’s crazy that people believe that. It’d be easier for him to continue at Barcelona with all their help. It’s a huge misunderstanding. You have to respect my son’s position."