Sports
Why I Joined Barcelona and Not Real Madrid — Neymar
Brazilian football superstar Neymar has disclosed the emotional journey behind his decision to join Barcelona over Real Madrid, revealing that his choice was driven by passion rather than practicality.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with fellow Brazilian icon Romário on Friday, Neymar shared how his admiration for the Catalan club and the chance to play alongside Lionel Messi ultimately influenced his career-defining move.
“I don’t regret my choice to pick Barcelona over Real Madrid. I went with my heart there,” Neymar said.
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Neymar revealed that his love for Barcelona stemmed from the days of Ronaldinho, a fellow Brazilian legend who lit up Camp Nou during his prime.
“Barça was the team I loved. I always watched, and I always said: I want to play there. It happened,” Neymar explained.
The forward recalled the dramatic transfer saga that unfolded, with representatives from both clubs vying intensely for his signature.
“Those were intense days. It was two or three days where I wasn’t even training, just going from my house to the office to resolve this,” Neymar said.
Caught in a tug-of-war between two of football’s biggest clubs, Neymar described being overwhelmed by the constant calls and discussions.
“Real Madrid’s people were calling me from one side, and Barcelona’s people were calling me from the other. Both presidents were talking to me. I couldn’t rationalise. I imagined myself playing for both.”
In the end, his emotional connection to Barcelona won out.
“My heart spoke louder,” he admitted.
A significant factor in Neymar’s decision was the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi, whom he had admired for years.
“I obviously wanted to play with Messi!” Neymar said, reflecting on the partnership that would later produce historic moments for Barcelona.
Despite fulfilling his dream of joining Barcelona, Neymar revealed that the initial months at the club were far from smooth.
Adapting to a new environment and the pressure of expectations left him doubting himself.
“I spent the first six months at Barça with butterflies in my stomach. I was like…, I can’t dribble anyone, I can’t get by anyone, I’m doing everything all wrong,” he said.
One of his lowest points came during a match against Athletic Bilbao, where he broke down in tears at halftime.
“I went into the washroom crying by myself, thinking, ‘What am I doing?’ Then Messi knocked on the door,” Neymar recounted.
Messi, along with fellow Brazilian Dani Alves, stepped in to reassure Neymar and encourage him to play without pressure. Their support helped him regain his confidence and develop into one of the top players in the world.
Looking back on his career, Neymar expressed gratitude for the lessons he learned, even from his mistakes.
“All of the mistakes I had in my career, in my life choices were to help me grow, help me mature. So I don’t regret anything,” he concluded.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has thrown his weight behind the 2026 Abeokuta 10km Race, assuring that he will personally grace the October 3 event.
He gave the assurance when the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), Yetunde Olopade, paid him a courtesy visit to formally invite him to the race, which is being held in his honour.
The Senator commended Olopade for taking over the leadership of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, expressing delight at the progress and achievements of the company under her watch.
He described the decision to honour him with the race as a gesture he deeply appreciates, assuring that despite his busy schedule, he would make every effort to be present at the event.
“Let me start by thanking you for taking up the mantle of leadership of the company. I was truly delighted when I learnt that you are the one in charge.
“As for the race, I want to sincerely thank you for organising it in my honour. You have honoured me, and I appreciate the gesture with every sense of responsibility.
“I will do everything humanly possible to be part of it, especially because it is a race held in my honour. I will also be glad to be there to honour you in return,” he assured.
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Olopade presented a running kit to the Senator during the visit, saying that Senator Adeola was being honoured in recognition of his contributions to youth and sports development in Ogun State.
“For everything you have done for youth and sports development, we have come to invite you to support the race. Of course, we also humbly request your presence on the 3rd of October.”
The 2026 Abeokuta 10KM Race is specifically designed for Nigerian athletes, with the organisers aiming to promote homegrown talent, while also creating a lasting legacy.
Registration for the race is still ongoing at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto, Abeokuta, while registered participants are scheduled to collect their race kits from September 30 to October 2 ahead of the October 3 race.
The Abeokuta 10KM Race remains one of the notable road-running events on Nigeria’s athletics calendar and is expected to bring together athletes, sports enthusiasts and other stakeholders for the fifth edition of the race.
Photo Caption: From Left Managing Director, Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade and Senator Solomon Adeola
Signals have emerged that the International Association Football Federation (FIFA) would back Nigeria’s plan to reform her football administration, in view of which the entire Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi threw in the towel recently.
Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, offered this insight in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday after meeting with FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials in Switzerland.
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He said the government presented its reform proposals to FIFA after the resignation created a leadership vacuum within the NFF.
“After the resignation of the entire board of the NFF and the General Secretary, naturally we have a lacuna, because there was no provision in the rulebook for situations like that, where we have nobody now to run the NFF legally within the rulebook.”
According to Dikko, the government wants to undertake a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s football structures, with the process involving consultations with stakeholders.
He said, “We told them, this is our position as a government. The government wants to undertake a comprehensive reform of the football structures in Nigeria, which is something that even FIFA knew has been on the cards for decades in Nigeria.
“So we discussed comprehensive proposals from the government, which are the issues that we think should be reformed, based on the concerns of the stakeholders, and we all agreed on that.”
Dikko said FIFA had endorsed both the resignation of the NFF board and the proposed reforms, while stressing that the process must follow the applicable rules.
“In short, FIFA endorsed the resignation, endorsed reform, agreed that the reform must happen, but it has to go through the proper process and the rulebooks, and they are ready to accommodate that,” he asserted.
Manchester City’s trophy-laden era has come under renewed scrutiny after the club was reportedly found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League financial-rule charges brought against it.
The reported verdict, disclosed by The Athletic on Friday, September 25, relates to alleged breaches covering the period between 2009 and 2018.
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The independent hearing lasted more than two years before the outcome emerged.
However, the case is not yet over, as the Premier League has not announced any sanction and Manchester City are expected to appeal the verdict.
The charges include allegations that the club failed to provide accurate financial information and breached rules relating to payments to players and coaches, as well as financial sustainability requirements.
City have consistently denied the allegations.
The reported verdict could have wider implications for the Premier League because the club has won eight league titles, four FA Cups, seven League Cups and one Champions League during the period in which the allegations have been investigated.
Potential sanctions under the league’s rules can include financial penalties and sporting punishments, with points deductions and expulsion among the measures that have been discussed in coverage of the case.
However, no punishment has been confirmed at this stage.
The uncertainty also means questions remain over whether any eventual sanction could affect Manchester City’s past achievements, current squad or future participation in the Premier League.
For now, the reported guilty findings mark a major development in one of English football’s longest-running disciplinary cases, but the final outcome will depend on the sanctioning process and City’s expected appeal.
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