What began as a record-breaking contract renewal has spiraled into a courtroom drama. Neymar, once the crown jewel of FC Barcelona, now finds himself embroiled in a legal feud with the club — and the stakes are sky-high. The conflict centers around a €26 million loyalty bonus promised to Neymar’s father as part of a contract extension signed in October last year. The deal extended Neymar’s stay at Barça until 2021 and increased his release clause to €222 million, effective July 1, 2017.
Barcelona now believes it was deceived. Club officials suspect that Neymar had already reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain well before the clause took effect. According to internal sources, PSG purposely delayed the signing to ensure Neymar’s father would still collect the lucrative bonus. To secure this payout, Neymar even joined the team’s U.S. tour and participated in commercial events in China, despite allegedly knowing he would soon depart.
The €26 million bonus is now being held in escrow. Barcelona has stated that the courts will determine whether the amount should be paid. In essence, if Neymar and his father want to claim the money, they’ll have to sue the club. But the legal clash doesn’t stop there. Sources inside Barcelona reveal the club also plans to counter-sue for the return of the first installment of the loyalty bonus, arguing that Neymar failed to fulfill the five-year contract he signed.
The club’s leadership contends that the loyalty bonus should have been disbursed in five equal payments, one for each season. Since Neymar only completed one full year, Barcelona insists it owes no more than one-fifth of the total bonus.
Unless either party chooses to compromise or withdraw, this dispute is headed for a very public courtroom showdown. Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo ran the bold headline “War” on its Friday cover, signaling the collapse of any goodwill between Neymar and the club. It reported that Barcelona not only intends to bring Neymar and his father to court but may also lodge a formal complaint against PSG with UEFA.
This saga, filled with twists and financial intrigue, is one BD Cricket followers can easily relate to — where behind-the-scenes maneuvering is just as crucial as performance on the field. Whether in football or BD Cricket, loyalty bonuses, contracts, and timing often turn teammates into rivals. As legal battles loom, Neymar’s once-legendary chapter at Camp Nou looks set to end not in applause, but in acrimony.