After numerous reports linked Barcelona forward Neymar to Real Madrid, the Brazilian responded to these claims in a Snapchat video. He singled out one of the journalists who made the claim and told him to stop ‘talking sh**’.
The journalist, Manolo Lama who works for media outlet Cope, had claimed last night that Neymar was in Madrid having ‘dinner with friends’. The statement has him implicitly referring to the player’s recent speculation of a transfer to the capital club.
The inference of the statement was that Neymar was in town to meet with Real officials over a possible transfer. But Neymar responded with a strong message in a Snapchat video to quash such rumours, saying: “Manolo Lama, you have said that yesterday I was in Madrid. Start talking the truth, you fool!”
Neymar was clearly unhappy with the rumours and reacted angrily towards the journalist. The video also included a caption which read ‘For the journalist that talks sh**’.
Neymar calms Barca fans stating he is not moving to Madrid
There have been reports this month that Madrid are after Neymar to replace Cristiano Ronaldo who will be 31 next week. This video will reassure fans that their beloved star is set to stay at the Camp Nou.
Earlier in the week, the 23-year-old denied rumours about a move to Madrid and said he was happy at Barcelona. The rumours suggested Madrid were preparing a €190 million bid for the superstar. The deal is also reported to include €35 million in wages annually.
Neymar said: “[I would ask] Barcelona fans to stay calm because I am still at the club and we have many games to win the treble, that is what we seek and work all day for Barca [to be] the best and the greatest.”
The rumours have surfaced amid ongoing negotiations over contract renewal talks with Barcelona. Neymar has mentioned that there were certain ‘difficult issues’ to be resolved.
“There is debate with all, the renewal and everything. These are things that it is difficult to decide but we must be calm because I still have years at the club.”
With Messi’s salary to rise significantly, there were concerns that Neymar would be sold to afford the Argentinean forward’s wages with Barcelona on the brink of going over the La Liga enforced salary cap. But both manager Luis Enrique and Neymar have stated that he is set to stay with the Catalan giants.
