In the United States, NBA free agency is slowly beginning and the NHL’s trade-frenzy start to the offseason is slowing down. Meanwhile, across the pond in Europe, one of the biggest sports franchises in the world just re-signed one of the world’s top athletes.
FC Barcelona announced Friday it has resigned Neymar Jr. to a five-year contract extension through June 30, 2021. The total of the contract hasn’t been released, but Barcelona did release some interesting figures. The buyout clause in the first year of the deal is 200 million Euros, 222 million the second year, and 250 for the final three years of the deal.
The deal will be made official and “presented formally” on July 15 before Neymar goes to Brazil to play for the host country in the Olympics.
https://twitter.com/Fc_barcelona_Gr/status/746254816360431616
Neymar, 24, joined Barcelona from the Brazilian club Santos back in 2013. Since joining the Spanish club, he’s been arguably the team’s second-best player behind Leo Messi. This past year in 2015, Neymar finished third in the 2015 Ballon d’Or race while Messi won the award.
Josep Maria Bartomeu, the President of FC Barcelona, spoke on Thursday about the team’s interest to retain Neymar. This came on the heels of rumors that clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Paris Saint-Germain would try and sign the Brazilian away.
“It is normal that other clubs are interested in him, but I am saying this clearly: Neymar has never told us that he wants to leave,” Bartomeu told reporters.
Neymar also hinted at the deal on Thursday.
Muito feliz de continuar vivendo esse sonho! VISCA BARÇA y VISCA CATALUNYA 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/N8KXEgt5eA
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) June 30, 2016
Loose translation: “Very happy to continue living that dream! VISCA BARÇA y VISCA CATALUNYA”
Outside of finishing third in the 2015 Ballon d’Or Award race, Neymar has accomplished many other feats with Bracelona. During his three seasons, the Brazilian has scored 85 goals and won eight trophies. The club as a whole with Neymar on the field has won the league twice, Copa del Rey twice, European Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, and Club World Cup.
