A former representative of Neymar says that Messi was "fundamental" for him to sign for Barça

He says that he received many offers from Real Madrid but Barça matched them all

   BARCELONA, 19 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The businessman Wagner Ribeiro, who was a representative of the footballer Neymar da Silva until he signed for FC Barcelona in 2013, has said that a conversation between the player and Leo Messi was "fundamental" for the Brazilian to decide to join Barça.

He said it this Wednesday when testifying as a witness at the Barcelona Court, which since Monday has judged the 'Neymar 2 case', in which the striker faces a request for a sentence of five years in prison for alleged fraud and corruption in his transfer from Santos FC to FC Barcelona.

Regarding the proposals that the player received to sign for other clubs, he explained that Real Madrid was "delighted with Neymar and made many proposals" that were escalating in economic amount, but that Barça always matched them.

When asked what made Real Madrid desist from presenting more counteroffers, he explained that the Brazilian player "had a conversation with Messi that was essential for Neymar to go to Barcelona".

Ribeiro explained that, before signing for the Blaugrana club, "Neymar's project was for him to stay at Santos for many years, so that Santos would win more fans and more money and become a player like Pelé".

After Ribeiro, Armenio Rodrigues, who was responsible for marketing at Santos at the time, declared in court that he did not get paid from the family business N

The accusations have asked him why when Neymar renewed for Santos FC in 2011 his tenure was shortened from 2015 to 2014, to which he has replied that he did not participate in the contract.

"I think, because I have not participated, I think the reduction has been a condition for him to remain at the club," he explained about the contract that increased the player's remuneration and reduced the time he had left to obtain the status of 'agent free'.