Barcelona receives €222M payment from Neymar's representatives
History has been made.
After a temporary setback earlier Thursday, Neymar's representatives deposited €222 million into Barcelona's coffers to terminate the Brazilian's contract with the club.
Barcelona confirmed the receipt of the funds in a statement, adding that it "will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case."
Hours later, Neymar completed a moved to Paris Saint-Germain.
Related: Paris Saint-Germain decimates world-record fee with €222M Neymar nab
His lawyers paid the sum directly to Barcelona after La Liga refused to accept the money at its head office in Madrid.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel, which governs the French leagues, urged La Liga to take the cheque and "stick to FIFA's rules and its responsibilities."
Marca's Jose Felix Diaz reported that La Liga had no grounds to block the transfer.
The fact that Neymar's representatives paid the release clause - and not PSG - is not unusual in La Liga. Footballers in Spain must buy themselves out, according to BBC Sport.
How he received the money, however, is a source of contention.
The league's outspoken president, Javier Tebas, vowed to report PSG to UEFA, claiming the French side violated Financial Fair Play regulations by receiving economic support from the Qatari state.
Related: What's the deal with Financial Fair Play? Explaining the Neymar move
The deal, including wages and bonuses, is reportedly worth as much as €500 million. The signing dwarfs Manchester United's €105-million outlay for Paul Pogba.
Regardless of the ethics involved, the move is a game-changer for Ligue 1, which has struggled to command international respect despite PSG's financial muscle and AS Monaco's youthful renaissance.
Related: 3 ways Paris Saint-Germain can line up with Neymar
Neymar spent four years in the Catalan capital, where he forged a potent triumvirate with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Known as the fearsome MSN unit, they scored more than 100 goals in each of the past three seasons.
He had signed a new contract last year until June 2021, but broke it to lead a Brazilian revolution at the Parc des Princes.