Story highlights Brazilian soccer phenomenon is leaving one of the world's best clubs for a lesser known team

Behind it all is Qatari cash, and the country's desire for status

(CNN) The departure of Neymar from Barcelona to Paris St Germain for a world record fee has it all. A young Brazilian soccer player who came to Europe to seek fame and fortune is offered ludicrous sums to abandon a world-famous club for a Qatari-bankrolled upstart.

The deal speaks volumes about the almost insane sums of money being thrown at players and clubs in Europe as the continent's transfer market goes into hyper-drive. The influx of cash into European soccer over the past few years has been driven by the Gulf states and (more recently) by China, and by the enormous revenues earned by the top clubs through sponsorship and television rights.

This time last year, Manchester United set a world record transfer fee when they bought Paul Pogba from Juventus for (the equivalent of) $116 million. Neymar's exercise of his release clause at Barca cost his new employers $263 million.

Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer After telling Barcelona he wanted to leave the club, Brazilian football star Neymar is heading to Paris Saint-Germain. PSG has activated his $263 million buyout clause, which is a world-record fee for a player transfer. Hide Caption 1 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar fends off Japan's Takuya Okamoto during the U-17 World Cup in October 2009. Earlier that year, Neymar made his professional debut for Brazilian club Santos -- the same club that once fielded the legendary Pele. Hide Caption 2 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar makes a heart gesture after scoring a goal for Santos in August 2010. That season, he scored 42 goals in all club competitions. Hide Caption 3 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar celebrates after Santos won the Copa Libertadores in June 2011. It was the first time since 1963 that Santos had won the top club competition in South America. Hide Caption 4 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar battles Argentina's Lionel Messi during an international friendly in June 2012. The two would later become teammates at Barcelona. Hide Caption 5 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar holds his son, Davi Lucca, at a Santos match in May 2013. Hide Caption 6 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer In June 2013, Neymar was unveiled as Barcelona's new star signing. Hide Caption 7 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Brazil was the host of the 2014 World Cup, but the tournament ended painfully for Neymar. He suffered a fractured vertebra in the quarterfinal victory against Colombia, and the Brazilians were trounced by Germany in the semifinals. Hide Caption 8 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar lifts the trophy after Barcelona won the Champions League in June 2015. It completed a historic treble for the Spanish club, which also won the league and the Copa del Rey that season. Hide Caption 9 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer From left, Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez pose for a photo after Barcelona won the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2015. The three attacking players have been an imposing force together. Hide Caption 10 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar competes with Germany's Sven Bender during the 2016 Olympic final in Rio de Janeiro. Neymar's goal in the penalty shootout clinched the gold medal for Brazil. Hide Caption 11 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar and his Brazilian teammates show off their Olympic gold medals. Hide Caption 12 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar celebrates a goal against Colombia during a World Cup qualifier in September 2016. He has scored more than 50 goals for his country's senior team. Hide Caption 13 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Since arriving to Barcelona in 2013, Neymar has helped the club win the Champions League, two league titles and three Copa del Reys. He has scored more than 100 goals. Hide Caption 14 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar tries an overhead kick during a Spanish league match against Villarreal in May. Hide Caption 15 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar sits next to another world-famous athlete -- Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton -- while attending Game 2 of the NBA Finals in June. Hide Caption 16 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer A boy wearing Neymar's jersey walks past a new Barcelona poster -- without Neymar -- as it is put up outside the Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday, August 2. Hide Caption 17 of 18 Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer Neymar juggles a ball Friday, August 4, after he was unveiled to the media as Paris Saint-Germain's newest signing. His transfer fee was more than double the previous world record. Hide Caption 18 of 18

Qatar has seen international sport as critical in raising its profile, and it's had the money to do so. In December 2010, against the expectations of many (and the raised eyebrows of not a few) it won the right to host the 2022 World Cup. Soon after, it began sponsoring Barcelona through the Qatar Foundation -- and in doing so, became the first named sponsor to appear on the front of players' jerseys in the club's century-long existence.

Qatar Sports Investments -- owned by the state -- bought Paris St Germain (PSG) five years ago for $170 million as part of the kingdom's larger strategy to invest in global brands, whether in business, fashion, property or sport.

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