PARIS (AP) — The Latest on Brazil soccer star Neymar’s move from Barcelona to PSG (all times local):
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1:49 p.m.
Neymar says leaving Barcelona was the most difficult decision in his life.
Neymar says during his first press conference with PSG that leaving Barcelona equated to leaving “great friends and fantastic players.”
Neymar adds, however, that he needs “new challenges” in his career.
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1:40 p.m.
Neymar’s first press conference with Paris Saint-Germain has started in a room packed with reporters, photographers and TV crews.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi opens by saying Neymar is a “worldwide idol” and “the best player in the world.”
Al-Khelaifi adds, “He signed with us to will all possible trophies.”
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1:30 p.m.
Barcelona says that it is “very displeased” with Neymar and will not pay its former player the 26 million euros ($30.9 million) stipulated as a bonus in his last contract.
Barcelona spokesman Josep Vives says “the club will not pay the bonus” that Neymar is due from a contract renewal last year that was supposed to keep him at the Spanish club through 2021.
Vives says that Barcelona’s board is “displeased with the decision and displeased by the manners” of Neymar, who signed a five-year contract with PSG on Thursday after triggering his 222 million euros ($262 million) release clause.
Vives says that Barcelona would have liked Neymar to have had “a more open, clearer, a more sincere position” with the club about his desire to leave.
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12:21 p.m.
Neymar is hinting that his father was opposed to his signing with Paris Saint-Germain.
In a message posted on social media, Neymar says that “an athlete needs challenges. And for the second time in my life, I’ll contradict my father. Father, I understand and respect your opinion, but my decision is made and I ask you to support me as you always do.”
Neymar’s father, Neymar Santos Sr, is also his agent.
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11:06 a.m.
Hundreds of fans are lining up on the Champs-Elysees to get their hands on the first Paris Saint-Germain jerseys emblazoned with Neymar’s name after his world-record transfer.
The shirts cost 155 euros ($184).
When posters of the Brazilian, accompanied by the words “Welcome to a Paris Neymar Jr 10” were unveiled on windows of the flagship PSG club store, the crowd cheered.
Michael Biancolin, who had waited more than three hours, was the first fan to leave the store parading a yellow PSG shirt.
The 25-year-old Neymar is due to be presented to the media at the PSG stadium later Friday, a day after his 222 million-euro ($262 million) buyout clause from Barcelona was activated.
