By Daily Sports on August 3, 2017

Some understood, others were enraged, but most supporters of Barcelona reacted with sadness Wednesday to news that star striker Neymar was leaving, to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Catalan club announced that the 25-year-old wanted to leave, insisting however that the Brazilian's €222 million buyout clause must be paid – an amount that would smash all transfer records.

"It's a blow," said Javier Barranco, a 19-year-old psychology student in Barcelona."

It hurts because I thought he was going to grow here like (Lionel) Messi, that he was going to spend his entire career here and that he would be a Barca great for life.

"The fact that money moved him more than anything else bothers me."

When Neymar arrived at Barcelona in the summer of 2013, fans hoped he would be the natural successor to Messi when the performance of the Argentinian five-time world player of the year, now 30, declined.

For Jesus Reinal, a bus driver, Neymar is "another turncoat, like Figo," the Portuguese player who abandoned Barcelona in 2000 to go to its arch-rival Real Madrid, for a then record 61 million euros.

But after weeks of speculation and uncertainty, many are just glad that the drama has finally come to a close.

"The club must be celebrating following this summer saga, which is embarrassing and pathetic," said Sara Huertas, a Peruvian who supports Barcelona.

"Is it really €222 million? Well that's money in the coffers, may they decide on and bring someone who's worth it." © AFP

•Photo shows some Barca fans.

Source Daily Sports

Posted August 3, 2017

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