Just a few years after Pep Guardiola left Barcelona, Neymar Jr. arrived at Camp Nou after surprising the world with Santos. However, the story could have been very different, as Neymar has confessed that Guardiola tried to convince him… to join Bayern Munich!

Guardiola Went to Neymar’s House to Convince Him to Join Bayern

The events date back to 2012, when Neymar was still a player for Santos and faced Barcelona under Pep Guardiola in the FIFA Club World Cup. Santos and Neymar couldn’t do anything to win that final against one of the best teams in history. However, after that match, Guardiola contacted Neymar to tell him his plans.

It’s true that, at that time, Guardiola was still the coach of Barcelona. However, that was his final season, and he exclusively told Neymar his future plans: “After winning the Puskas Award in 2012, I almost went to Bayern… because of Guardiola.” In fact, Neymar himself has confessed that Guardiola came to his house to tell him, “I want to take you to the team I’m going to, and I’ll make you the best in the world.”

Real Madrid Offered Neymar a Blank Check.

In this same conversation, Neymar has confessed that Real Madrid was also interested in signing him. A move that, years ago, was confirmed by Florentino Pérez himself. Neymar, as a reminder, had already been tested by Real Madrid when he was still a child. But in the end, he decided to return to Brazil to spend the rest of his childhood with his family.

“The offer from Real Madrid was a blank check. But I wanted Barcelona with all my heart. Florentino always liked me. But Ronaldinho had played there, and I wanted to play with Messi.” These surprising statements make more sense now that rumors about Neymar’s potential return to Barcelona have resurfaced.