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Neymar ordered to pay 6.7 million euros to Barcelona

WION Web Team
New Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Jun 19, 2020, 08:25 PM IST
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File photo of Neymar. Photograph:(Reuters)

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Brazilian forward Neymar must pay 6.7 million euros to Barcelona, a court-ordered on Friday after the Paris Saint-Germain winger’s case against his former employer was dismissed. Neymar had sued Barcelona for 43.6 million euros that he claimed was due for various bonuses after sealing a world-record deal with PSG.

Brazilian forward Neymar must pay 6.7 million euros to Barcelona, a court-ordered on Friday after the Paris Saint-Germain winger’s case against his former employer was dismissed. Neymar had sued Barcelona for 43.6 million euros that he claimed was due for various bonuses after sealing a world-record deal with PSG.

However, the judge dismissed Neymar’s case and favoured Barca, who also had sued their former player for breach of contract. Neymar has five days to appeal the verdict.

Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013 before signing a five-year extension in 2016 which included renewal bonus worth 43.6 million euros with 14 million paid up front. The remaining 29 million euros were due to be paid on August 1, 2017, but the Brazilian forward left Barcelona on August 3 after PSG activated striker’s 222 million euro release clause. Barca, at that time, refused to pay Neymar the remaining bonus as the Blaugrana insisted that terms of the contract were broken.

"We express our satisfaction with the verdict announced today," Barcelona said in a statement.

"The ruling has fully dismissed the player's claim for payment of €43.6m, and has accepted a large part of the defence presented by FC Barcelona, as a result of which the player must return €6.7m to the club.

"Since the player's representative is entitled to appeal this decision, the club shall continue to fervently defend its legitimate interests."

However, despite the dispute between the two, both the club and player have been eager on a re-union. Neymar was close to signing for Barca last summer but an agreement couldn’t be reached.

Neymar’s return has been supported by Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, with whom the Brazilian formed a devastating trio upfront for Barca.

"I've said it many times, as a footballer Ney is one of the best in the world and I would love for him to return," Messi said in an interview with Barcelona newspaper Mundo Deportivo in February.

"He was always happy, he had fun both on and off the pitch. He brought a special sense of joy to the dressing room."
Messi added: "He is eager to return, he was always regretful. He tried a lot to come back and that would be the first step in trying to get him here."