Neymar
says the decision to leave Barcelona was "one of the toughest" of his
life after completing a world record move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The
forward completed his $263 million move to the French capital Thursday
just a week after Barcelona officials had said he was "200%" staying
with the Catalan club.
Unveiled
to the media Friday, the Brazilian said the decision to join the French
club came from the heart and his desire for a bigger challenge.
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Brazilian superstar Neymar speaks during a press conference at the Parc des Princes stadium on August 4, 2017 in Paris.
"My heart told me to sign for PSG and I did it," he told a news conference Friday.
"It
was one of the toughest decisions I ever took. I was at a great club at
Barcelona, I love Barcelona, have friends at the club, some fantastic
players, and it wasn't easy at all.
"I had to think, rethink about what I wanted to do and achieve in my life."
'Not motivated by money'
Neymar also dismissed accusations that the move to PSG was motivated by money.
"What I say to these people is they don't know anything about my personal life, I was never motivated by money," he said.
"What I think about is my happiness and together with my family, I want them to be happy.
"If I was following the money, I would be somewhere else, with other clubs in other countries.
"I'm really sad that people still think that way and I'm glad that PSG believe in me."
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.
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.
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Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer
Neymar and his Brazilian teammates show off their Olympic gold medals.
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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.
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.
Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer
Neymar tries an overhead kick during a Spanish league match against Villarreal in May.
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.
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.
Photos: Neymar: The world's most expensive footballer
Neymar greets the press in Paris after a news conference with his new club on Friday, August 4. He said the decision to join PSG came from the heart and his desire for a bigger challenge.
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.
Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said
Neymar was "an idol for the whole world for football lovers and sports
lovers in general."
He added: "For me personally, Neymar is the best player in the world."
Al-Khelaifi also rejected claims the player had only joined PSG for financial reasons.
"Neymar
came here for motivation, a project that he believed in," he said. "He
can get much more money than we give him, that's for sure.
"If he came for money, he could go to other clubs for even more money."
Supporters
of Paris-Saint-Germain's new signing Neymar pose with scarves outside
the Paris-Saint-Germain (PSG) football club store.
After
joining Barcelona from Brazilian club Santos in 2013, Neymar scored
over 100 goals as well as winning the European Champions League, two La
Liga titles and three Copa del Rey.
The
25-year-old was part of the world football's most potent attacking
triumvirate alongside five-time world player of the year Lionel Messi,
and Uruguay star Luis Suarez.
He has also scored 52 goals in 77 appearances for Brazil as well as winning Olympic gold at last year's Rio Games.
Hundreds of PSG fans had lined up to purchase replica team jerseys with Neymar's name on earlier Friday.
The
forward, who has signed a five-year deal with the club, will wear the
No.10 shirt and could make his PSG debut against Amiens on Saturday.
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