Football Leaks: Neymar pocketed €8.5 millon as a sign on fee
The whistleblowing website has lifted the lid on one of the most shrouded in secrecy player contracts in recent history. The deal contains more clauses than a Kris Krindle conventionMonaco-PSG live online
The bane of football clubs, players and agents alike, Football Leaks, has published one of its most eagerly anticipated disclosures to date, Neymar Junior’s contract. Given all the controversy and litigation that has surrounded the Brazilian’s deal with Barcelona, this document now sheds a bit more light on the groundbreaking transfer.
The contract, which was drawn up June 2013 and came into effect the following month, was signed by Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, with the player and his father/agent’s signatures also appearing on the document.
The agreement makes it clear that no pre-contract existed between the parties, although there are also clauses further on that state the player must destroy any previously signed documents within the space of ten days.
Neymar signed for five seasons (until June 2018) and his release clause is set at €190 million, a figure very few clubs can afford. The South American earned an astoundingly high €8.5 million sign-on fee.
For each season of services rendered, Neymar receives €5 million gross, which on paper seems like a relatively low figure. However, the contract contains a number of clauses that boost that figure. Indeed, between his signing-on fee and bonuses, the former Santos striker can expect to pocket €45.9 million over the course of his five-year deal with the club.
Among the numerous articles is one that stipulates Neymar must feature in 60% of the games, of which he must play at least 45 minutes. For hitting this target, the Barça number 11 scoops an extra €1,062,000. Irrespective of whether he comes off the bench or not, as long as the 24-year-old makes it into the stipulated percentage of matchday squads he earns an additional €100,000 per season.
Should he win the Ballon d’Or, the club would reward him with €425,000. The contract also includes an incentive to win trophies: €637,000 for La Liga, €850,000 for the Champions League. A league and Cup double is worth €850,000, while a Copa del Rey and Champions League win is valued at €1,062,000. Winning La Liga and the Champions League comes with a €1,487,500 bonus and the Treble (which the team won last season) is worth €1,700,000.
Making it to the Champions League is also in the monetary interests of the Brazil international. Qualification alone earns him €637,000, with an extra €425,000 coming his way if Barça make it to the knockout stage of the competition.
Despite having two seasons left on his contract, Neymar is expected to renegotiate terms with the club this summer.