MX23RW : Tuesday, April 1 20:56:16| >> :60:2631:2631:

Neymar explains Real Madrid snub

New Barcelona signing Neymar reveals that he turned down a similar offer from Real Madrid because of family reasons.

New Barcelona signing Neymar has revealed that he chose the Catalan club ahead of Madrid because of family reasons.

Neymar completed his reported £50m move to the Primera Division champions this afternoon, signing a contract that will keep him at the club until 2018.

Real Madrid tabled a similar offer to Barcelona's for the Brazilian, but Neymar insists that his heart was always set on a move to Barca.

"Barca and Madrid are two great clubs. I was happy that both wanted me but my heart was with Barca," said the 21-year-old.

"It was a family decision but I had the final word, and none of us were motivated by money. I don't work for the money and I don't worry about the numbers.

"I'm going to adapt really quickly to European football so I can help the Barca cause."

Neymar, who scored 136 goals in 225 appearances for Santos, has already spoken of his excitement at the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi.

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Barney Corkhill
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Santos' Neymar prior to the start of the match against Flamingo on May 26, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona29213582285466
2Real Madrid29196462293363
3Atletico MadridAtletico29169447232457
4Athletic Bilbao291411446242253
5Villarreal28138751391247
6Real BetisBetis2913884036447
7Rayo Vallecano29101093331240
8Celta Vigo29117114242040
9Mallorca29117112835-740
10Real Sociedad29115132731-438
11Getafe2999112625136
12Sevilla2999113339-636
13GironaGirona2997133745-834
14Osasuna2971393342-934
15Valencia29710123246-1431
16Espanyol2878132740-1329
17AlavesAlaves2969143244-1227
18Leganes2969142846-1827
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2968153348-1526
20Real ValladolidValladolid2944211965-4616


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