Vilanova: Neymar chose sport over money by joining Barca
The 44-year-old feels the Brazilian will
improve his side's chances of silverware in
the future and paid tribute to outgoing Real
Madrid boss Jose Mourinho
Barcelona coach Tito
Vilanova believes that
Neymar chose sporting
opportunities over financial
gain by joining the club
ahead of Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old has signed a
five-year deal with the Liga
champions after Santos accepted a €28 million offer
earlier this week , and the trainer was thrilled to beat
off rival suitors to capture their long-term transfer
target.
"We have to congratulate the technical staff for the
signing of Neymar," he told reporters after his side's
2-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday.
"It is an important signing. We have been very
attentive for some time because he could have had
other, and better, proposals.
"I also have to congratulate Neymar for choosing a
sporting project and not a financial one. I have
confidence he will do well in Europe and he will help
us to become even greater.
"Neymar is the player we were looking for. We asked
two and a half years ago. The club has been very
successful and has done things very well, as we did
with Jordi Alba last year. He progressed very well
with the rest.
"His qualities are well known. All we are interested in
is that he is a high-level player.
"If they say Neymar is a 'YouTube player' then it's a
good thing, because he has had some great games
and great goals. He has chosen Barcelona because he
believes he can adapt well to our play. If he had been
looking for money, there would have been nothing for
Barca to do.
"It's a dream to have an attack like this. With so
many better players we will have more chances to
win. Now, we have to combine them in the best way,
as we have done before. If Neymar comes it is
because Barca are a long-term option for him."
Alexis Sanchez and Pedro struck the goals to seal a
win against local rivals Espanyol on Sunday to keep
Barca on track to reach 100 points for the season,
and Vilanova insists his side will do their best to reach
the milestone - even though it will not make up for
the disappointment of their Champions League exit.
"We played a great game," he continued. "It was a
shame we had injuries at a key moment. The team
has a good level and we could have passed the semi-
finals and the final of the Champions League
otherwise. That's already happened and I
congratulate Bayern, but I insist, we have reached the
end of the season at a good level.
"It's better not to talk about these things [the 100
points tally]. Now we have won game to go, one
victory, and we will have to try to win it. Although it
is not a title, we are going to try."
Finally, Vilanova wished Jose Mourinho well as he
prepares to depart Real Madrid at the end of the
season, paying tribute to the 50-year-old's winning
mentality despite his oft-controversial behaviour.
"His arrival created a real buzz. He is one of the best
coaches, and one of the most successful. I wish him
well and wish him luck," Vilanova added.
"He has always managed to win. It's in his own way,
but he has always managed to win."
improve his side's chances of silverware in
the future and paid tribute to outgoing Real
Madrid boss Jose Mourinho
Barcelona coach Tito
Vilanova believes that
Neymar chose sporting
opportunities over financial
gain by joining the club
ahead of Real Madrid.
The 21-year-old has signed a
five-year deal with the Liga
champions after Santos accepted a €28 million offer
earlier this week , and the trainer was thrilled to beat
off rival suitors to capture their long-term transfer
target.
"We have to congratulate the technical staff for the
signing of Neymar," he told reporters after his side's
2-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday.
"It is an important signing. We have been very
attentive for some time because he could have had
other, and better, proposals.
"I also have to congratulate Neymar for choosing a
sporting project and not a financial one. I have
confidence he will do well in Europe and he will help
us to become even greater.
"Neymar is the player we were looking for. We asked
two and a half years ago. The club has been very
successful and has done things very well, as we did
with Jordi Alba last year. He progressed very well
with the rest.
"His qualities are well known. All we are interested in
is that he is a high-level player.
"If they say Neymar is a 'YouTube player' then it's a
good thing, because he has had some great games
and great goals. He has chosen Barcelona because he
believes he can adapt well to our play. If he had been
looking for money, there would have been nothing for
Barca to do.
"It's a dream to have an attack like this. With so
many better players we will have more chances to
win. Now, we have to combine them in the best way,
as we have done before. If Neymar comes it is
because Barca are a long-term option for him."
Alexis Sanchez and Pedro struck the goals to seal a
win against local rivals Espanyol on Sunday to keep
Barca on track to reach 100 points for the season,
and Vilanova insists his side will do their best to reach
the milestone - even though it will not make up for
the disappointment of their Champions League exit.
"We played a great game," he continued. "It was a
shame we had injuries at a key moment. The team
has a good level and we could have passed the semi-
finals and the final of the Champions League
otherwise. That's already happened and I
congratulate Bayern, but I insist, we have reached the
end of the season at a good level.
"It's better not to talk about these things [the 100
points tally]. Now we have won game to go, one
victory, and we will have to try to win it. Although it
is not a title, we are going to try."
Finally, Vilanova wished Jose Mourinho well as he
prepares to depart Real Madrid at the end of the
season, paying tribute to the 50-year-old's winning
mentality despite his oft-controversial behaviour.
"His arrival created a real buzz. He is one of the best
coaches, and one of the most successful. I wish him
well and wish him luck," Vilanova added.
"He has always managed to win. It's in his own way,
but he has always managed to win."
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