Why Neymar's move to Real Madrid didn't work out

Neymar helped Barcelona win the treble in 2014-15, forming a deadly trio with Suarez and Messi

Ten years after Ronaldo wowed the world with his majestic displays, another young Brazilian was on the rise in his homeland. Going by the name of Neymar, the youngsters talent was simply breathtaking and it took no time for Santos, one of Brazil’s biggest and most prestigious clubs, to take notice of him, with the youngster joining their ranks in 2003.

The youngster grew from strength to strength at Santos and, at 14, soon became a target of Real Madrid, who back then boasted the likes of Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Roberto Carlos and many more. However, a move to Los Blancos never materialized and returned to haunt Real Madrid seven years later when he signed for their arch rivals – Barcelona.

So why didn’t Neymar’s move to Real Madrid work out? What caused the youngster to reject riches any other 14-year-old would only see in a game of Monopoly?

New city, new problem

There have been numerous rumours regarding just why Neymar turned the mighty Real Madrid down ranging from the players hunger for more money, the unwillingness of Santos to let him go as well as coaches being unconvinced by his performances.

The real reason, however, was quite different and one a child his age would only naturally experience if he’s uprooted from his home and placed into a metropolis on another continent – homesickness. Neymar and his father both acknowledged this fact in the player’s book: Neymar: My Story – Conversations with My Father.

However, the player, like many others before him, was indeed initially bowled over by the charm of Real Madrid. The trial was engineered by Neymar’s former agent Wagner Ribero in 2006, and soon the boy from the densely populated city of Mogi das Cruzes, where thousands of youngsters like him aspire to be professional footballers, experienced his first ever ride on an airplane, destination Madrid.

Spanish newspaper AS found Neymar’s documentation from 2006 (courtesy Daily Mail)

Real Madrid and their coaches took no time in being bowled over by the teenagers talent and wasted no time in offering him a deal which would see him move to Spain, with the capital becoming his new home as well as the place where he would complete his education. In many ways, Real Madrid wanted to make him their very own Lionel Messi.

However, barely a week into living in Spain, Neymar’s dream soon turned into a nightmare as homesickness set in. Neymar’s psychological condition took a toll on his play, with his performances nose diving with each day.

Real Madrid, on their part, did everything in their power to help him feel settled, but being uprooted from your friends, family and home, situated in the rather laid back town of Mogi das Cruzes to being thrust into the modern, bustling city of Madrid is no mean feat to adjust to, more so for a 14-year-old.

Even the opportunity of meeting Madrid's famous Galacticos failed to lift Neymar’s spirits.

Neymar and his father both came to realise that no amount of money could compensate for the loss of childhood and rejected Real Madrid’s massive offer. The duo then returned to Santos without heavy hearts.

Rise to prominence and Barcelona move

Neymar spent five years at Santos, scoring 136 goals in 225 appearances

Needless to say, criticism from all corners came Neymar’s way for rejecting the chance of a lifetime, but to the player home was where his heart was.

Neymar soon found his form again and was handed his Santos first-team debut three years later at the tender age of 17. The goals soon started coming in as well as numerous awards, including the prestigious Puskas award as well as El Pais’ prestigious South America’s footballer of the year award.

A call-up to the national team, which has seen some of the world’s best players, soon beckoned and on 10th August 2010, Neymar played his first game in a Brazil shirt and marked the occasion with a goal. His national tally now stands at 46 goals in 67 appearances and he’s still just only 23*.

All this may have never materialized, had he stayed at Real Madrid.

In 2013, seven years after his failed move to Real Madrid, the time was finally right for Neymar to leave his country and realise his dreams in Europe. The Brazilian accepted Barcelona’s offer in a heartbeat for a reported fee of £49 million and is now a part of the lethal trio of involving Messi and Suarez.

While Neymar could’ve easily shown off his brilliance alongside players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema, destiny and timing had other plans for him.

Footballers are vastly and sometimes rightly labelled as being ‘money mad’, but the case of Neymar is a fitting example of how money isn’t everything in a young footballer’s life. And from the looks of things, his decision to reject Real Madrid back in 2006 is really starting to pay dividends.