REAL MADRID SPIES MIDFIELDER LUCAS LIMA

While the main talk is in reference to next Saturday Super Liga game between Real Madrid & FC Barcelona, & whether the injured big names from both sides (Benzema, Ramos, Messi, Busquets etc) will make it, the other talk is the possible interest from Real Madrid for a Brazilian midfielder.

According to local Sports press Real Madrid sent over to the Brazil - Peru match scouts to spy on 25 year old Santos & Brazilian International midfielder Lucas Lima. The bad luck was that Lucas only played 2 mins of the match giving little time for the Real Madrid scouts to make a good report. 

If this story is true, I am sure that Lucas Lima has been followed for sometime - videos for example - & that the trip could have been more about conversations, with representative & the player to sound out future plans.

Considered a Brazilian Football pearl, the Santos player has an ownership package similar to Neymar before going over to FC Barcelona. The players rights are divided between various interests & this could complicate negotiations or sky rocket the transfer price. An initial market price has been placed at around 60M€ for a virtually unknown player except in Brazilian Football.

Stay tuned!

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ATLETICO DE MADRID MAKES 13M€ OFFER FOR BRAZILIAN DAMIAO

According to Spanish Sports paper "AS" Spanish Football Club Atletico de Madrid has made a 13M€ offer to Brazilian Club Santos for Leandro Damiao. The Brazilian is also being followed by Italian Club Inter de Milan. Santos puts the transfer figure at around 15M€ & will accept the highest bidder, that is, the Club that is willing to pay more for the Brazilian will basically be the winner. However, the player may have a word especially if Atletico de Madrid manage to win the Spanish Liga &/or the UEFA Champions League.

Leandro Damiao is seen as a possible substitute for Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa. The speculation the past months is that Chelsea FC is very interested in acquiring the services of Costa for next season & maybe preparing a super offer that the player may not be able to say no.  

Stay tuned!

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NEYMAR TRANSFER COMMISSIONS TIME BOMB | FC BARCELONA PAID 95M€ NOT 57M€ ?

How much did Brazilian player Neymar Jr cost FC Barcelona?

The FC Barcelona President Rosell says 57M€, however other sources put it closer to the 100M€ & Brazilian Club Santos around the 140M€. This discrepancy in the figures has lead a Barça Club member, Mr Jordi Cases to file a law-suit against the FC Barcelona Directives which has been taken up by Spanish Anti-Corruption Judge Ruz who is investigating the issue. The Judge has solicited the Neymar contracts to see if there were irregularities & today Spanish paper "El Mundo" poured more gasoline onto the fire claiming the reality is Neymar cost 95M€ according to their journalistic investigations. The difference between the "official" 57M€ & the 95M€ is apparently due to commissions of all kinds that include:

• helping local favales ( "slum areas")
• Santos players preferences
• Friendly matches between Santos - FC Barcelona
• 10M€ signing bonus 
• 11M€ commissions ( Father of Neymar )
• Publicity 
• & other inventive clauses

In all cases there are no legal clauses that mentions the need to exercise said terms. They just appear on paper as justification for commissions. 

The alarms already sounded earlier last summer when Real Madrid President Florentino Perez was asked by press why Real Madrid did not sign Neymar. The casual reply was that Real Madrid was not prepared to pay around 150M€ for Neymar. This radically contrasted with the said FC Barcelona price of 57M€. Why would a player sign for a Club that offered far less?

The Brazilian Club that "sold" Neymar, Santos, has said via their President Odilio Rodrigues to ESPN that they are considering - along with DIS ( a Brazilian firm which had shares in Neymar ) - going to court after knowing the accusations from Spain that FC Barcelona may have paid commission to the Neymar family outside of their "Club-DIS- agreement". The Brazilian Club sets the transfer price at 140M€ which coincides more or less with the Real Madrid version of the Neymar signing attempt.

FC Barcelona are categorically denying everything & have said that the Neymar transfer deal is totally transparent & cost 57M€. The evidence at this stage seems circumstantial as the Spanish Anti-corruption Authorities continue investigating further to gather solid evidence. Barça claim  a "Madrid based" conspiracy theory lead by the dark forces of Spanish national newspaper "El Mundo" & their satellite interests political in some cases. Whatever the case for now, FC Barcelona is innocent until it is proven.

What is clear however is that this story keeps growing week by week & the opened can keeps spitting out worms. The hidden ghosts in the Barça wardrobe seems to be appearing & scarring many into asking very sensitive questions. How long can this be kept under wraps at Camp Barça? Who knows, but President Sandro Rosell & his Club Directives are sitting on a time bomb about to explode at any moment. The explosion & aftershock could be devastating.

Stay tuned!
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NEYMAR | AN AGREEMENT - DEAL WITH FC BARCELONA SHUT ?

More news from Brazil after intense negotiations today between Santos, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid & Neymar. The very latest news circulating is the offer each Club ( Barça & Madrid ) has made to the Santos player: Real Madrid 11M€ /season & FC Barcelona 7M€/season. But there is a "catch", Real Madrid asks for 50% of the players image rights while FC Barcelona gives it all - 100% - to Neymar. Just to remind you, Neymar earns around 8M€ just in publicity per year.

But there is more, Spanish Sports paper "Marca", along while the two main Barcelona based papers, "Sport" & "Mundo Deportivo", have let known this afternoon in their online editions that its a practical done deal in favour of FC Barcelona. According to the mentioned Sports papers, barring last minute surprises & paperwork, the Brazilian 21 year old will be a FC Barcelona player as from next season with a 5 year contract. The rumoured signing - transfer figure that FC Barcelona will pay to all 4 parties that own the rights of Neymar is around 50M€ although I suspect that it will finally be much higher. 

This is all unconfirmed. It is important that readers keep this in mind. Plus it is not even certain that Real Madrid has really offered the player anything & least 11M€ per season. I say this because the highest paid players at Real Madrid right now are Cristiano Ronaldo & Kaka & they are around the 10M€. If it is true that Real Madrid has offered 11M€/season to Neymar,  & if Neymar surprises everyone choosing Real Madrid next season, the Club would have to raise the salary of Cristiano Ronaldo substantially & perhaps others players to keep the salaries "in line" & not offend "egos". 

The only thing right now that can be said is that the "Neymar story" is very close to coming to a conclusion & that FC Bareclona is in the front seat. Everything indicates that Barça is the destination the player desires for next season - over that of Real Madrid - & that an official announcement seems very close. If I were a FC Barcelona fan I would be conservatively happy - if your in agreement - that the Brazilian is in "the bag".

Stay tuned!

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NEYMAR NEWS - LATEST | FC BARCELONA OR REAL MADRID ITS UP TO NEYMAR

We have been following the Neymar "soap opera" here for months. I would assume that plenty of fans of Santos, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid & World Football in general will be interested in knowing how it will finish.

Apparently, according to local Spanish Sports press, we could be in the final home stretch. 

There are two firm offers on the table that satisfy the 4 players rights owners of Neymar. The most "difficult" to date,  Brazilian Club Santos, has apparently accepted a figure & has said it is up to Neymar to decide which one he prefers.

The two Clubs are Spanish Football giants FC Barcelona & Real Madrid CF, the former is offering around 60-70M€ ( way above originally agreed months back ) while Real Madrid it is rumoured to be around the 90-100M€ mark ( not confirmed ). Santos has said OK to both & leaves it all now in the hands of Neymar to decide. The player came out this morning to say to press that he was honoured to have both Clubs interested & that he will decide soon which offer to take up. 

In Football nothing is certain, & least with the ever changing Neymar & his money hungry circles of advisors & rights owners. Real Madrid is the offer economically superior, but it seems the player wishes to go to FC Barcelona & this is the determining factor.

However, in the last days influential voices at FC Barcelona ( Johan Cruyff for example ) have expressed the "no need for Neymar" & the worry of having "two peacocks" in the same dressing room that may cause more problems than solutions. The possible clash of "egos" between Messi & Neymar has been voiced, plus the unknown of how will Neymar adapt to Barça & European Football ? Theses opinions from Barcelona may have reached Brazil & may make Neymar think & change his mind, but everything looks set that Neymar will choose FC Barcelona, taking into account that he apparently Neymar signed weeks back a document saying so.

But don´t take this as a certainty, anything can still happen. Stay tuned!

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NEYMAR | PLAYER WISHES TO GO TO FC BARCELONA - OR IT SEEMS

Signing Brazilian sensation Neymar is a very complex affair as the players rights are divided in four parts : Club Santos (55%), DIS (45%),Teisa (5%) plus his father. Each naturally wishes to get the maximum out of their investment, while his Club Santos desires to sell him now in order to avoid the player becoming a "free agent" next season. 

As written here Spanish Football Club Real Madrid has burst onto the scene to "torpedo" the pre-agreement with FC Barcelona. The strategy is simple, while FC Barcelona is willing to pay around 40-45M€ Real Madrid has raised the bid to 100M€. Real Madrid is willing to offer more & will take care of the "penalty pre-agreement clause" with Barça as well. 

Apart from Real Madrid, other Clubs are said to have entered the picture like Manchester City which has said will offer 138M€, obviously false as its "filtered news" to make all the parties offering lift their bids. 

Up to here its all known. What is fresh news is that the player seems to want to go to FC Barcelona. News out of Brazil, via O Globo, comments that Neymar has signed an "agreement" with FC Barcelona last week committing to present himself at the Club for next season straight after duties with Brazil in the upcoming FIFA Confederations Cup.

Important piece of "fresh" news today, as it is hard to fight against the desires of the player. Real Madrid has been successful in its strategy, at least it has forced FC Barcelona to pay way about the original figure they calculated. Said this the Neymar circle with so many intermediaries hungry for money are liquid & every changing & Real Madrid still has a glimpse of a chance, after all 100M€ is a record figure.

However, if the Spanish Football Sports readers were to ask me were I believe Neymar will finally end up my answer is that it looks like FC Barcelona at this moment. Plus it looks like the Brazilian "whiz kid" will join for next season. 

Said this, negotiations with all parties ( & all Clubs ) are continuing in this very complex & "greedy" atmosphere. Stay tuned.

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NEYMAR TRANSFER NEWS | REAL MADRID BACK IN THE FRONT POSITION ?

Nearly everyone takes it as a given that Brazilian & Santos player Neymar will make the jump soon to European Football  & concretely to FC Barcelona. In fact, it is well known that there exists a pre-agreement between Neymar & FC Barcelona with the latter advancing 10M€ to the player & with a penalty clause if the player does not sign. The only unknown is when will be his arrival, Barça is pressuring for the player to make a decision & arrive this summer. However, as commented & written here in the past, the player & his close aids are unpredictable & there are other Clubs interested, one in particular very interested & which may change things in a radical way. 

According to a popular late night TV Football Show, Real Madrid has sent a representative ( an ambassador ) over to Brazil to sway things their way & offer more money. Apparently Real Madrid President Florentino Perez wishes to be re-elected this June as Club President & with it give the Club members & the fan-base a signing that will send shock waves around World Football & over to FC Barcelona.

The high price being asked by Tottenham Hotspurs for Gareth Bale - 90M€ - has swayed the Spanish Club to put its priorities back on Neymar & this has made FC Barcelona uneasy & even with signs of panic as it has been commented that Barça President Rosell acknowledges to his inner circle that the operation has complicated itself in a serious manner. FC Barcelona has detected that there is an offer for Neymar above the 40M€ that Barça has agreed on & this only smells Real Madrid. Worst still, key local players in the Neymar transfer operation ( intermediaries & sponsors ) have apparently changed their ways of thinking & are now open & favouring a Real Madrid transfer.

The possibility of Neymar ending in Real Madrid would be a personal disaster for FC Barcelona President Rosell & his Directive team & a kick below the "moral" belt by Real Madrid. Some observers claim it is just Real Madrid making the transfer more costly, others that it is a pressure move to lower the price of Gareth Bale, while others insist that Neymar is the now the Nº1 signing priority of Real Madrid & that President Florentino Perez has put out all his big guns & influences to achieve it. The story goes further & the commentators add that Real Madrid is willing to pay the penalty clause to FC Barcelona on top of a higher signing bid. Here Barça cannot not compete & this has set the "alarm bells" off at "Camp Barça". The only reaction that Barça can do & is asking is that Neymar go out publicly to media & say categorically that he only wishes to sign & play for Barcelona, & as yet no such things has occurred.

Stay tuned. As the saying goes, it is not over until the Fat Lady sings, & in the Neymar signing case, no one has sung just yet. 
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FC BARCELONA HAS 90 % NEYMAR | WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER 10 %

The smoke signals & messages have lifted a few levels in the last 10 days in reference to Brazilian Football Star & Santos player Neymar. Everything indicates that the youngster will be landing in European Football soon. What is unknown is when but the Club sounding more & moreis FC Barcelona, although others have tried & some still are wishing.

While the player himself has said the if a move to Europe is necessary now that he would consider it - a soften stance compared to months back - others close to Brazilian Football & with obvious reliable contacts have also backed the speculations that the landing of Neymer in Europe is very close. Everyone knows that if the Brazilian is to make a serious jump in his career & win Golden Ball Awards that Europe is vital for his future. 

FC Barcelona seems to be totally in the front running, as speculated before with a pre-agreement & penalty clauses in case the player goes back on his words. Ex-Real Madrid & Brazilian International defending legend Robert Carlos was clear in an Al Jazeera TV interview: "FC Barcelona has a 90 % chance of signing Neymar". Roberto Carlos is not just another "card reader" & has a very close connection to World & Brazilian Football.

The ex-Real Madrid defender went on to say that he believes there would be no problem at all with Neymar playing in the same team as Lionel Messi, that Neymar was destined for great things & that now was the time for the European jump. Roberto Carlos also sent out a message to Real Madrid saying that if he was President Florentino Perez he would fly off to Brazil pay the money & get the youngster. Is this the remaining 10 % ?

Interesting comment by Roberto Carlos, comments that don´t make the headlines but leads one to think, is it a question of pure money separating Neymar from Real Madrid? Is it a case that Santos & the Neymar circle is asking for figures that are "astronomical" that Real Madrid does not wish to negotiate?

More will be said & written in coming months about the Neymar case, stay tuned!

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FC BARCELONA | SERGIO AGUERO PLAN B ?

I have said it many times & I do believe it, in Football what is white today is black tomorrow. Perhaps it's one of the elements that makes the Sport so lively & emotional. In the signing & transfer talk it´s more fluid than life itself as players are placed here & there to later end up where no one expected.

News out of a popular Spanish Football late-night TV program announced a "scoop" that is being picked up around other Football sources. According to the TV panel of commentators the Nº 1 objective of FC BARCELONA for next season is Brazilian International & SANTOS player NEYMAR. This in itself is not news as it has long been known that there may be a pre-contract between Club & player. However things are not so clear y so shut case:

• Neymar is being advised to stay in Brazil until 2014. That is he may not come next season
• If Neymar arrives next season , DAVID VILLA will leave, & Arsenal FC looks the Club in the box seat
• There are "dressing room heavyweights" at Barça not too keen with the possibility of having Neymar as a team-mate
• There is a possibility that Neymar could "break" his pre-agreement with Barça if he returns his advanced payment of 10M€. This opens up a box of possibilities with one being REAL MADRID

These four points turn a 100% situation for FC Barcelona into possibilities & now with certain risks. How Football changes.

The new element in the equation is MANCHESTER CITY Argentine forward SERGIO "KUN" AGUERO. The player is said to be "suffering" in England due to the culture & lack of adaptation to English life. His wife has separated & moved back to Madrid with his son for the same reason. On a professional level Manchester City cannot guarantee the player big time European exposure or titles, this does not help adaptation. 

Therefore, SERGIO AGUERO has been offered to FC BARCELONA & the idea has become "PLAN B" in case Neymar falls through. This is the news, that Aguero is on the Barça agenda & the Barça considers the player as a viable option. 

From here to the end of the season is a very long way & things can totally change. But for now Aguero & FC Barcelona are contacting. 

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FC BARCELONA | NEYMAR

The future of Brazilian International & SANTOS whiz kid NEYMAR is a constant "trending topic" in World Football circles. Everyone is tentative to know which will be his next Club. The firm bets are on Spanish Football & concretely FC BARCELONA, although REAL MADRID still has a remote glimpse hope that perhaps a last minute change of mind may favour them over the old foe. 

However, there is a pre-deal signed between NEYMAR-SANTOS-FC BARCELONA, Barça President Sandro Rosell is not losing sleep over rumours that Real Madrid, Manchester City or another Clubs maybe attempting to lure Neymar away.

There is a very stiff penalization clause in the Neymar-Santos-Barça pre-contract of 80M€, that is if Neymar breaks the agreement ( or signs for another Club ) Barça receives 80.000.000 € from the Club wishing his services, obviously this is enough to make any Club, Neymar & Santos think anything else other than FC Barcelona. But Spanish Sports daily based in Barcelona "Mundo Deportivo" goes further adding that the real figure is a whopping 160.000.000 € , that is , The Club wishing to sign Neymar pays FC Barcelona = 80M€, Santos pays Barça 40M€ & Neymar pays Barça 40M€.

The real question thus is when will Neymar land in Barcelona. The Spanish Football Club desires next season, but it may well be 2014, taken the circumstances of the FIFA World Cup being held in Brazil which will make it all a question of "state".

Meanwhile, the Brazilian youngster keeps the "marketing machine" churning & European Football waiting. Tweet

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FC BARCELONA | NEYMAR THIS SUMMER ?

According to Spanish Sports daily based in Barcelona "Sport.es", Brazilian International & SANTOS player NEYMAR will join FC BARCELONA this summer. The "tip off" apparently comes from a Barça Directive & to add weight a person from a sponsorship company. Its a done deal they say under their breath & that the only thing missing is the official announcement from Barça.

The idea is that the Brazilian will join the Spanish Football Club at the end of the Confederations Cup which will be celebrated in Brazil. After participating with his nation Brazil the player is expected to make the jump to Europe ( Spain - FC Barcelona ) this summer.

We have read this news before & it looks solid, however there are Clubs still attempting to change the Brazilians mind, like Real Madrid, Chelsea FC & some say Bayern Munich under Guardiola.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID - NEYMAR | SOCIAL NETWORKING

The FIFA Golden Ball ceremony at Zurich congregates "la creme de la creme" of World Football: players, managers, Club directives, Football authorities, media etc.  The occasion is perfect for friendly encounters, meetings & networking, a chance to catch up with "old friends" & "do some business".

This was the case for Brazilian sensation NEYMAR. According to Barcelona Sports papers, REAL MADRID President Florentino Perez took amiably aside the Brazilian to chat about his future & plans. The interest from Real Madrid for Neymar is still apparent & the Spanish Clubs still has some hopes that the player may finally decide to make a jump over to Europe & to Real Madrid.

However, FC BARCELONA is in the driving seat as there is an apparent pre-contract between Barça & Neymar for his incorporation in 2014. An agreement that has an advance payment from the Spanish Football Club to make sure things stay this way.

But in Football things are not so solid as they seem at times & the circle of Neymar has a long history of "breaking agreements" as with Real Madrid originally. So Clubs like Manchester City & now Bayern Munich with Josep Guardiola as Coach as sending signals ( money is the best signal ) over to Brazil to entice the young player to their "camp".

Although things do indeed look solid for FC Barcelona,  & their "hold" on Neymar, beware Real Madrid has never given up hope on regaining what they believed was solid for them & are quietly working behind the scenes just in case Neymar decides to change his mind again. Their is active "social networking".

Stay tuned.
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FC BARCELONA | PARIS ST GERMAIN LOOKS AT NEYMAR

Brazilian International & SANTOS player NEYMAR was back in the Spanish Football news this week. Most Football observers & fans wish to know when the player will be landing in Spanish Football & at FC BARCELONA.

However, this is still speculation & rumour as Spanish Football commentator José Petón let know in late night Spanish TV. According to his information, Neymar will not be leaving Santos until after the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil, the Brazilian will wait & not renew his current contract with Santos in order to chose his destiny freely & without the pressure from Santos. Lastly, there is no agreement at all between Neymar & FC Barcelona as published locally & affirmed months back.

Neymar

In that same late night TV Football programme, journalist Alfredo Duro, added to his fellow commentator with more juicy news. Duro affirmed that there is no Neymar-Barça agreement & that PARIS ST GERMAIN is moving in to fill the vacuum. So much so that PSG Football Director Leonardo met with ex-PSG player & Brazilian International Rai to give the later the mission to convince Neymar to consider PSG as his next destination.

The contacts between Neymar & Barcça have existed but have halted in recent times allowing the French Club to be the protagonist, so much so, that Barça is in danger of losing its much laboured influence & front running position. 

Thus to conclude & give you the latest on this saga, Paris Saint Germain is working seriously & determinedly to convince Neymar in joining them & to landed in French Football.

Stay tuned, this ongoing story still has plenty of pages left to write on.
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SANTOS - FC BARCELONA - NEYMAR TUG-OF-WAR

Yes, months back it was written here that FC BARCELONA had a "pre-agreement" with SANTOS of 60M€ for the transfer of NEYMAR.

Yesterday a Spanish media source - a popular late night footy programme - let known that this pre-deal may have got more complex. That is,  that it may not go through at all & that the deal maybe in danger. Why?

Neymar

The Brazilian Club SANTOS is asking Barça to lift their offer, as "other" European Clubs have approached the Club & have offered more than the Spaniards ( according to Santos). If FC Barcelona does not sign the Brazilian they could also lose the 10M€ advance done to "reserve" the player.

Sounds unprofessional? Santos did the something to Real Madrid which also had a "pre-agreement" before Barcelona stepped in. The Brazilian Club has a long history of not keeping its word or promise & they see Neymar as a "gold-mine" to exploit.

FC Barcelona Directives are said to be concerned, but I feel ( without the full facts ) that it is a tactic from Santos to force a lift in their offer of 60M€.

Stay tuned!

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NEYMAR WANTS FC BARCELONA WINTER MARKET 2013

As written here some days back, 20 year old Brazilian sensation NEYMAR is well inside the FC BARCELONA bag. That is, barring last moment strange happenings, the SANTOS Brazilian Football sensation will be dressing the Barça uniform. The rumored cost for the Spanish Football Club is a "chunky" 60M€.


Also asked here on that same post was the question:  when will Neymar arrive?

Neymar

Today from the Barcelona based Spanish Sports paper "Mundo Deportivo" , the answer could be in December 2012-January 2013. These dates coincide with the end of the Brazilian Football season & the European Football Winter Transfer Market. This apparently is not media speculation but what the player wishes to do, as close contacts, team-mates & friends have verified that Neymar wants to incorporate himself to FC Barcelona on the mentioned calendar dates. If this is true, the Brazilian will have plenty of action & playing time for the second half of the Spanish League season, & barring surprises, European Football qualifiers with his new Club.


Stay tuned.

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NEYMAR HAS PRE-AGREEMENT WITH FC BARCELONA ?

Rumour has it here, via Spanish Sports press, that FC BARCELONA has already put in a down-payment of 10M€ for SANTOS youngster NEYMAR. The rumour has now turned into serious possibility when the press asked Barça directive Tono Freixa, who in turn, did not say that it was not true.

Messi - Neymar

This would suggest that Neymar has signed the dotted line of a pre-agreement where if Santos fails to live up to their word, the Brazilian Club would have to pay back 20M€. Barcelona is happy to allow the young player to evolve in Brazilian Football until 2014, which is what the player wished. Apparently as well, Coach Guardiola has changed his mind on Neymar & now sees real potential.

However, allow me to add some points:

• Can you trust the word of all those who surround Neymar? They have already backed off pre-agreements with Real Madrid.
• The people surrounding Neymar are more focused on money than the future of Neymar
• A 20M€ penalty clause placed by Barcelona seems "small", a Club like Real Madrid, if really decided, could pay the "difference". 
• It still smells like someone is making a big deal to take to his/her pocket, or several people.
• Will Guardiola still be Coach in 2014? Or will Rosell still be President?

Still lot left in this saga, that will give us lots of turns, back flips, posts & pages of news.

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SANTOS 0 FC BARCELONA 4 | FIFA CLUBS WORLD CUP FINAL RESULT 2011

FC BARCELONA proclaimed themselves the 2011 "FIFA Club World Cup Champion" after defeating Brazilian Club SANTOS 0 - 4. Its the second title of this character for Barça which won their last back in 2009 in Qatar.

Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona demonstrated - if there was any doubt - that the Club is currently the "Best in the World", & their midfielder LIONEL MESSI once again raised for the occasion to be voted the MVP, ie he was prized with the competitions "Golden Ball". I personally would have given Barça defender Dani Alves a prize as I thought he was the true "Man of the Match", however the organizers decided to give XAVI HERNANDEZ the "Silver Ball" & NEYMAR the "Bronze". This last more marketing than for merit in my opinion.

Messi scores goal

Barça scored first after dominating the start of the match & the ball via MESSI in the 16th min. The Barça "dancing" continued & XAVI scored the second in the 23rd min, while the knock-out came via FABREGAS with a third in the 44th min. It was obvious that Barça was too much for Santos who were not even smelling the ball.

Xavi scores for Barça

The second half was more relaxed from Barça´s perspective as they continued maintaining the ball, creating chances & were unlucky not to have scored a bag full, except for a fourth & final from MESSI in the 82nd min. Santos had a chance via Neymar which Barça goalie Valdes stopped with authority. Said this, it was the only dangerous moment that Santos gave Barça.

In fact,  it was a "cake walk" for Barça, with their authority stamped all over the Final that eclipsed Santos who´s Football was seen to be way below Spanish Football level, or European level. 

FC Barcelona

Last week the World press slammed Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo for not being up to the big occasions, that is, the last "clasico" game against Barça. Barcelona can do this, & it did again, this time with Neymar who was non-existent. The kid was overwhelmed by the stage, lights & the Football Team in front of him. A learning experience for Neymar? Perhaps. The player is still young & learning? Perhaps too.

But allow me to put in my opinion. The player could be just a promise, a prototype of "Robinho" that looked like he would eat the World & ended up eating himself. Perhaps this defeat is good for Neymar to balance his short & explosive career: less show, less dancing & marketing, & more Football; disciplined & thought out Football. He did look like a "rooster" tonight, running around without cause & almost headless ( yes, a bit cruel from my part, excuse me).

By the way, the eye-ball looks between FC Barcelona President Rosell & Neymar at the end with medal presentations smells of "agreement". Said this, I don´t see Neymar fitting into the disciplined team tactics & style of  Barcelona Coach Guardiola. However, anything is possible.

Neymar - Messi

Congratulations to FC Barcelona for a great Final & totally deserved title. 

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NEYMAR PART XXVI | FC BARCELONA SHIFTS ASIDE REAL MADRID ?

The Neymar movie is turning into a saga with more parts than Star Wars. I personally - with many others - believe that player should stay in Brazil as he looks more "piss & wind" than anything else. What the 19 year old does have which makes him the darling of everyone is MARKETING POWER & this may be more important that his Football dancing skills. In fact, Neymar could be bigger that David Beckham in this $$$ aspect, thus who needs to play Football , right?

The story up till now was that REAL MADRID had secured Neymar for next year for 56M€. In fact there was an agreement signed with penalty clause. However, news from Brazil is that Neymar ( via his Father ) has now unilaterally broken that agreement & has renewed with Santos. That is,  the much written, silence pact between all parties, has in fact turned into a "back-stabbing" pact with a new shadow in play.

Neymar

The story from online Spanish paper "elconfidencial" via its journalist José Felix Diaz is that Neymar has sacked his representative Wagner Ribiero who was the "Real Madrid" contact & brought onboard Andre Curi a "FC Barcelona" man: here is the always suspected shadow.

According to sources,  Neymar - via his Father - has came to an agreement ( which type no one knows) to sign with FC BARCELONA in 2014. FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell has been dazzled by "the kid" & sees the $$$$ potential in marketing & has made Neymar a personal objective. This goes against the idea of his current Coach Guardiola who does not see the Brazilian as "Barça stuff", too cocky & too extravegent. However, Rosell is betting on the idea that Guardiola will leave Barça before 2014 thus that problem will disappear.


Santos & FC Barcelona Presidents are soon to meet in Tokyo for the FIFA World Clubs Championships & many believe both will iron out the fine line details.

So there you have it, another chapter to keep this series on course. Is it all part of the initial Real Madrid - Neymar - Santos agreement to make us all believe there is not agreement? Has FC Barcelona taken away Neymar from Real Madrid? What will Guardiola say about it all as he does not want the player? Will Mourinho & Real Madrid tell the player to take a hike? While Neymar "fizz" out like Robihno? Is this all just hype? Will Real Madrid go "to War" with Barça? Will Real Madrid exercise that agreement penalty clause?

Right now who cares , but do stay tuned. Things are just now getting exciting.

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SANTOS RENEWS NEYMAR UNTIL 2014 | PART OF THE REAL MADRID SANTOS NEYMAR MASTERPLAN

Brazilian Club SANTOS has made a "surprise" announcement today that they have renewed their star player NEYMAR until 2014, as they have said, a solid shut deal. However, you may say : Wasn´t Neymar going to REAL MADRID? Its all part of the "Masterplan".

Neymar

REAL MADRID has Neymar tied "verbally",  & I don´t discard contractually ( cannot prove it ), with the added agreement with Santos that the "youngster" stay until next season. This way Santos President can guarantee his re-election as Santos President ( elections in December), Neymar can play in the FIFA World Clubs Championships in Japan this December & also for Brazil in the Olympic Games in London. That is the deal.


A deal that cost Real Madrid 56M€ & the promise of incorporation to the Spanish Football Club in August 2012. In fact the player has already passed the medical check in Brazil & that always means that some kind of paper has been signed even if it is a napkin. In this agreement there was a tacit agreement of non-disclosure, total silence from all parties & to make things look as if Neymar would be part of Santos for a long time.

So Real Madrid fans,  stay calm, everything is following to plan.

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REAL MADRID - NEYMAR | DEAL , CONFIDENTIALLY & 2012

We could finally be at the end,  & conclusion, of the NEYMAR story. The Brazilian sensation & National "hero" will end up at REAL MADRID. His Club SANTOS,  & the player himself, have gotten "away" with their desired wishes before accepting (& signing) the selling/transfer agreement with Spanish Football Club REAL MADRID:

• Santos will celebrate Club Presidential elections in December with their star still "at home". Guarantees current President his re-election. 
• Neymar will play for Santos in the World Clubs Championships in Japan with the aim of attempting to knock off FC Barcelona of their World Clubs throne.

However no one will affirm a deal at all. 

Neymar

According to the article in Spanish Sports paper "AS" written by journalist Matallanas, there is a "CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE" asserted by one of the parties concerned & binding all others. The clause is backed by a "substantial" economical penalty clause that would shut up even the most talkative person on Earth. No one - Santos, Real Madrid , Neymar or players representative - can talk about the "apparent" already shut deal.

Because it´s all sooooooo secretive we can only suspect that Neymar will play for Brazil in the London Olympics next year & then begin his new career at REAL MADRID around July 2012

This is the story today. As you & I already know, July 2012 is a "lifetime" away. Stay tuned!
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