Wagner Ribeiro confessed in an interview with Brazilian media UOL that his priority was for Neymar to move to Real Madrid. The controversial former agent of the Barcelona star said that Los Blancos' offer was "economically better" but the player "ended up signing for the team of his heart."

"I took offers to Santos from Chelsea and Real Madrid. Barcelona's was directly from his father. I wanted him to go to Madrid, I have always said that. It was a better offer financially for Santos and even for the player. But he decided to go to Barcelona because it was the team of his heart."

Ribeiro was Neymar's agent before the forward's father took sole responsibility for his son. "I was his agent from the age of 12 and I managed to get two contracts with Santos. But when he grew up his father took control through his companies."

However, Ribeiro doesn't harbour any bad feelings towards Neymar or his father: "Neymar is like a son to me. And I get on well with father, I respect him."