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.
Spanish football has been thrown into mourning following the death of CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died at the age of 30 after suffering serious injuries in a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a second-division match.
Tenerife confirmed the player’s death on Tuesday, November 3, revealing that he died at 8:00 a.m. following complications from injuries sustained during the encounter.
The incident occurred towards the closing stages of the match, which was tied at 2-2, when Owono, an Equatorial Guinea international, rushed out of his goal and collided with De Miguel in the middle of the pitch.
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The goalkeeper was sent off following the incident, while the match was subsequently abandoned.
Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest after the collision and was resuscitated. However, Tenerife later announced that his neurological condition had deteriorated before he eventually died.
In a statement announcing the tragedy, the club expressed profound sadness over the loss of the striker and extended its condolences to his family, friends and supporters.
“Broken with pain, with a lump in our throat and unable to believe this is real, CD Tenerife announces the tragic death, at 8:00 am (7am GMT), of Jesus de Miguel Alameda,” the club said.
De Miguel joined Tenerife in the summer of 2025 from Castellon and had spent just over a season with the Spanish side.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across Spanish football, including former Barcelona defender and FC Andorra majority shareholder Gerard Pique.
“I am so deeply sorry. Rest in peace, Jesus,” Pique wrote on social media.
FC Andorra also expressed its condolences to De Miguel’s family, teammates and Tenerife, while Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several other Spanish clubs sent messages of sympathy.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation equally expressed its grief, describing the news as deeply saddening and extending its condolences following the striker’s death.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged the state government’s full support for the successful hosting of the 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Awards.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Sunday after meeting with a CAF delegation led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly.
The governor said his administration would pay particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access to ensure a memorable experience for participants and visitors.
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In a statement shared on his social media account, Sanwo-Olu said, “Meeting with the CAF delegation, led by Dr Christian Emeruwa, Project Lead for the CAF Awards and CAF General Assembly, I assured them of our full support, with particular attention to security, logistics, branding and venue access.”
He described Lagos as a city with the energy and capacity to host major international events.
“Lagos is a city of talent, culture, enterprise and youthful energy,” the governor said.
He added, “We look forward to welcoming football leaders, stakeholders and visitors from across Africa and beyond, while showcasing our hospitality and ability to host major international events.”
The meeting comes as preparations continue for the continental football awards, which will bring together prominent figures in African football to celebrate outstanding performances and achievements.
The latest engagement follows the arrival of a 15-member CAF delegation in Nigeria on Friday, October 16, for a final inspection of facilities ahead of the awards and the organisation’s 48th Ordinary General Assembly.
The delegation, led by Emeruwa, was expected to assess facilities in Lagos and Abuja as part of efforts to evaluate the country’s readiness to host the two events.
The inspection also followed an earlier visit by CAF officials in August, when Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in Lagos’s readiness to host the awards after a delegation inspected the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Theatre, in Iganmu.
The 2026 CAF Awards are scheduled to hold in Lagos on December 7, while Abuja is expected to host the CAF Ordinary General Assembly on November 21.
The awards ceremony will recognise outstanding performances and achievements in African football, bringing together players, coaches, officials and other stakeholders from across the continent.
After scoring twice and providing an assist as Bursaspor beat Muglaspor 3-0 in the Turkish 1. Lig on Thursday, Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho took to social media to declare himself boss.
The Super Eagles forward who moved to the Turkish league from Celtic to Bursaspor has made history, becoming the first football player to score in 10 consecutive league matches for the club and in the Turkish professional league football.
He took to his social media handles to flaunt his Turkish nickname – “Agabey”.
In a post on his verified handle on X, the Nigerian forward shared a picture of himself in traditional Turkish dress with a new nickname, “Agabey”. The caption read, “We go ball till eternity, Kelechi Agabey.”
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The word is a respectful Turkish title that translates as “Big Brother” or “Boss”.
The 30-year-old has now scored in all 10 games he has played for Bursaspor, and including his appearance for the Super Eagles, he has found the net in 11 straight matches. He has 14 goals and three assists since joining from Celtic.
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