Neymar, the world’s most expensive footballer, said money was never the motivating factor in his record 222 million-euro ($264 million) transfer from Barcelona to Paris St Germain.

The Brazilian forward told a news conference on his arrival in the French capital that he was motivated by desire for a new challenge and said he wanted to make his debut on Saturday.

“Well, it was one of the most difficult decisions I ever took in my life. I was at a great club at Barcelona, I love Barcelona, I have friends at the club, some fantastic players. And it wasn’t easy at all, I can guarantee you that. It was very tense moments, I had to think and re-think and think again about what I wanted to achieve and do in my life.

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“Well what I could tell these people is that they don’t know anything about my personal life. I was never motivated by money. It was never my first motivation. What I think about is my happiness. I want to be happy, and together with my family, I want them to be happy. And I’m very happy; I always follow my heart, not considering the money.

“If I were following the money I would maybe be somewhere else, in some different teams in other countries. And I’m really sad to hear that people still think that way and I really would like to thank Paris St Germain because they believe in my potential and I want to pay them back,” Neymar said.

He added: “I want to mark history here at Paris St Germain, this is the only reason. There are new challenges, there’s the club’s ambition as well. And I want to write history, and help writes the history of the club. Our biggest challenge is the Champions League of course, but we do not only want the Champions League, we want all possible trophies and this is the way we will write history.”

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi backed up Neymar’s assertion that he could have gone elsewhere for more money.

“Neymar he came here for motivation, for a project, and that’s what he believes in. I can guarantee you today he can get much more money than what we give him, what we give Neymar. And that’s for sure, you know, so he didn’t come – I can guarantee you, trust you – he didn’t come for money.

“We’ve been very transparent from day one and we’re going to be until the last day here. With UEFA, with Financial Fair Play, we are under the regulation of UEFA, and Financial Fair Play so there’s no problem,” the president said.

The 25-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the French side after they triggered the release clause in his Barcelona contract and said the decision to leave the club he joined in June 2013 was his and his alone.
Media reports have said he could earn around 550,000 euros per week.