On 24 May 2013, Santos announced that they had received two offers for Neymar.[64] The following day, Neymar announced he would sign with FC Barcelona on 27 May 2013 and join the team after playing in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Neither Neymar nor the clubs released details on the transfer fee or personal terms, except to say he signed a five-year deal.[65] On 3 June 2013, Neymar was unveiled by Barcelona after passing medical tests and signing a contract that would keep him at the club through June 2018.[66] Neymar was presented at the Nou Camp in front of 56,500 fans a record turnout for a Brazilian player.[67] Club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu said Neymar's transfer fee was €87.2 million (making him the10th overall highest transfer) and his release clause was set at €190 million.[68] Barcelona's doctor suggested he might need to gain weight to be able to cope physically in Spanish football.[69]
Transfer investigation[edit]
The prosecutor's office in Madrid is investigating the transfer fee that Barcelona paid for Neymar.[70] The documents submitted to the authorities on request contained contradictory information.[70] The reported transfer fee was €57 million,[70]but €40 million "supposedly...flowed to a company which is close to Neymar family."[70] This is what "justifies an investigation into whether the allegations are true."[70] Barcelona president Sandro Rosell is accused of being "in connection with the transfer of embezzlement."[70]
2013–14 season[edit]
On 30 July 2013, Barcelona drew 2–2 against Lechia Gdańsk in a preseason friendly; this was Neymar's unofficial debut when he came on as a substitute.[71] He scored his first goal for the club in a 7–1 win against a Thailand XI on 7 August.[72]
Neymar made his competitive debut for Barcelona during the opening game of the 2013–14 La Liga season as a 63rd minute substitute in a 7–0 win against Levante UD.[73] On 21 August, he scored his first competitive goal for the club in the first leg of the 2013 Supercopa de España against Atlético Madrid.[74] On 18 September, he made his UEFA Champions League debut, assisting a Gerard Piqué goal as Barça beat AFC Ajax 4–0 in their opening match of the 2013–14 tournament.[75]
On 24 September, Neymar scored his first goal in La Liga in Barça's 4–1 defeat of Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.[76] On 26 October he made his first El Clásicoappearance, scoring the opening goal and assisting the team's winning goal scored by Alexis Sánchez as Barça beat Real Madrid 2–1 at Camp Nou.[77][77] On 11 December, Neymar recorded his first three Champions League goals as he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 win over Celtic in Barça's final Group H match.
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