<p>Star footballer Neymar’s father has admitted to receiving a 10-million euro down payment in 2011 to guarantee his son’s move to Barcelona.<br /><br />But Neymar Sr denied any irregularities over the forward’s signing with Catalan club in June last year.<br /><br />“I asked Barcelona to drop confidentiality (concerning a contract) so everything was transparent and clean. I don’t owe anything,” Neymar Sr said during a press conference on Tuesday.<br /><br />The comments come less than a week after the resignation of former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell amid claims the Catalan club paid above the disclosed figure and misappropriated funds.<br /><br />Rosell, who was replaced by Josep Maria Bartomeu, faces a lawsuit initiated by club member Jordi Cases over the allegations.<br /><br />The transfer cost 57.1 million euros with a two million euro bonus if Neymar is a finalist for the Ballon D’Or award, presented annually to the world’s best player.<br />In addition, the 21-year-old has been promised an annual salary of 11.3 million euros over five years.<br /><br />Neymar’s father refuted claims that his company N&N had received 40 million euros after Barcelona allegedly broke an agreement to sign the forward in 2014.<br /><br />“Neymar could only leave Santos to go to Barcelona. My job was to safeguard and reinforce the gain,” Neymar Sr said.</p>.<p><br />“I am sure I could have picked up 120 million euros. But it is absurd for people to talk when they don’t know the details and I did not receive 40 million euros in advance.”</p>
<p>Star footballer Neymar’s father has admitted to receiving a 10-million euro down payment in 2011 to guarantee his son’s move to Barcelona.<br /><br />But Neymar Sr denied any irregularities over the forward’s signing with Catalan club in June last year.<br /><br />“I asked Barcelona to drop confidentiality (concerning a contract) so everything was transparent and clean. I don’t owe anything,” Neymar Sr said during a press conference on Tuesday.<br /><br />The comments come less than a week after the resignation of former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell amid claims the Catalan club paid above the disclosed figure and misappropriated funds.<br /><br />Rosell, who was replaced by Josep Maria Bartomeu, faces a lawsuit initiated by club member Jordi Cases over the allegations.<br /><br />The transfer cost 57.1 million euros with a two million euro bonus if Neymar is a finalist for the Ballon D’Or award, presented annually to the world’s best player.<br />In addition, the 21-year-old has been promised an annual salary of 11.3 million euros over five years.<br /><br />Neymar’s father refuted claims that his company N&N had received 40 million euros after Barcelona allegedly broke an agreement to sign the forward in 2014.<br /><br />“Neymar could only leave Santos to go to Barcelona. My job was to safeguard and reinforce the gain,” Neymar Sr said.</p>.<p><br />“I am sure I could have picked up 120 million euros. But it is absurd for people to talk when they don’t know the details and I did not receive 40 million euros in advance.”</p>