In an interview with the Podpah podcast, Neymar has unveiled several anecdotes. Among them, the Brazilian revealed that he received the visit of Pep Guardiola at 2 a.m. in 2012 to convince him to sign at Bayern Munich the following summer, while he was still playing in Santos. “I almost went to Bayern … because of Pep Guardiola”first assured the former PSG striker before detailing the sequence, at least unusual … “After winning the Puskás Prize (rewarding the most beautiful goal, scored in 2012), my father kept calling me at 2 am. I answered him, he told me to open the door … I was in underpants. It was my father, Pep Guardiola and the translator ”.
And add: “Pep said to me: 'I want to sign you and take you with me, whatever the club I go. I will make you the best player in the world '. He shows me a paper, opens his laptop, told me where I would play … He also said to me: 'If you do not score 60 goals in one season, I will change my name' “. Despite this approach, Neymar finally opted a few months later for FC Barcelona. “I said … okay, but what team?” Pep said to me: 'I can't tell you yet because it has not yet been out'. I convinced him, he said to me, 'I sign with Bayern. I know it was a city where it is cold but I will take care of you '. Finally, I decided to join Barcelona “. In Catalonia, Neymar then won eight titles including the Champions League in 2015 but also the Liga twice (2015, 2016).
