Why Neymar is different

The Brazilian star is the best young player to be transferred since 2000. But is he worth €222m?

The Economist
Aug 9, 2017 · 11 min read
Brazilian soccer star Neymar applauds his fans at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, during his official presentation to fans ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s season opening match against Amiens — AP Photo/Francois Mori

Poor FC Barcelona. Four summers ago the club outfought all opposition to sign the golden boy of Brazilian football, a 21-year-old known only as Neymar. Details soon emerged of the financial acrobatics used to sign him up: his transfer fee was not €57m ($76m), as…

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