Perez: Easier for Neymar to win Ballon d'Or at Real Madrid
Let the rumours begin.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told Neymar his chances of winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or would rise if he were to join the 12-time European champion.
The Brazilian finished third in voting Thursday behind perennial candidates Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Being in Madrid would make it easier to win the Ballon d'Or," Perez told Spanish radio, courtesy of Reuters. "Madrid is a club that gives a big player everything they need to do so. Everyone knows I wanted to sign him."
Perez came close to signing Neymar from Santos - with intermediaries going so far as to draw up a contract - but Barcelona ended up bidding more.
The dribbling sensation enjoyed four seasons in Catalonia, winning the Champions League once and La Liga twice, before completing a world-record €222-million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Speculation of a swift exit from the French capital has been rife since Neymar clashed with teammate Edinson Cavani over penalty-taking duties.
But the 25-year-old's production hasn't suffered, with 15 goals and nine assists across all competitions for PSG.