Santos star Neymar was reduced to tears during his farewell appearance for the club on Sunday.
The 21-year-old revealed at the weekend that he has decided to join Barcelona, after Santos accepted offers from both the Liga champions and Real Madrid.
However, leaving his boyhood club was clearly not an easy decision for the forward, who was unable to contain his emotions during the 0-0 draw with Flamengo at Brasilia’s Mané Garrincha stadium.
Speaking after the game, Neymar told Globo TV: “It was an honour to have played for this marvellous team Santos. I am so happy I did.
“The Santos fans are the only ones who have always supported me. I can only thank them and say ‘see you later’, because I will be back one day.
“Every child has a dream, either to be a player, a dentist or a reporter. My dream was to become a professional athlete and I have achieved that. Today Barcelona is fulfilling my dream of going to a totally beautiful team.”
Many of the 63,500 spectators who filled Brasilia’s Mané Garrincha National Stadium were Flamengo fans who booed Neymar when he gained possession of the ball and cheered when he lost it.
The Brazil international is a product of the Peixe youth academy and has played 230 games and scored 138 goals since making his official debut in March 2009.
Neymar, who is Santos’ top scorer since Pelé, is expected to sign a five-year deal at Camp Nou later on Monday.
Source: The Guardian
