(CNN) –– Neymar Jr., a Brazilian forward and Paris St-Germain star, testified before a court in Spain on Tuesday and said he was not involved in the negotiations that sent him from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, according to Reuters.
“I did not participate in the negotiations,” Neymar said. “My father always took care of that and he always will. I sign everything he tells me to sign. Playing for Barcelona was always my dream, a childhood dream,” he said.
The 30-year-old, his parents, former Barcelona FC presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, Santos president Odilio Rodrigues and representatives of both clubs face charges of fraud and corruption over the transfer.
All nine defendants have repeatedly denied the allegations, according to Reuters.
Neymar da Silva Santos, father of the Paris St-Germain star, testified: “Our intention was to prepare a career plan for him in Europe, where we already had an established place, he could learn the language, etc. And knowing his dream of playing for Barcelona, he signed that priority agreement with them”.
The case was brought by Brazilian investment firm DIS, which owned 40% of Neymar’s rights while he was at Santos, who allege his transfer to Barcelona was undervalued.
Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison term and a $9.8 million fine for Neymar, as well as a five-year jail term for Rosell.
(CNN) –– Neymar Jr., a Brazilian forward and Paris St-Germain star, testified before a court in Spain on Tuesday and said he was not involved in the negotiations that sent him from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, according to Reuters.
“I did not participate in the negotiations,” Neymar said. “My father always took care of that and he always will. I sign everything he tells me to sign. Playing for Barcelona was always my dream, a childhood dream,” he said.
The 30-year-old, his parents, former Barcelona FC presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, Santos president Odilio Rodrigues and representatives of both clubs face charges of fraud and corruption over the transfer.
All nine defendants have repeatedly denied the allegations, according to Reuters.
Neymar da Silva Santos, father of the Paris St-Germain star, testified: “Our intention was to prepare a career plan for him in Europe, where we already had an established place, he could learn the language, etc. And knowing his dream of playing for Barcelona, he signed that priority agreement with them”.
The case was brought by Brazilian investment firm DIS, which owned 40% of Neymar’s rights while he was at Santos, who allege his transfer to Barcelona was undervalued.
Spanish prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison term and a $9.8 million fine for Neymar, as well as a five-year jail term for Rosell.
