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August 21, 2010

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No Blues as Neymar stays back

BRAZILIAN prodigy Neymar got a pay rise from Santos and committed himself to the Brazilian club for the next five years on Thursday.

The talented teenager turned down a multi-million euro offer from Premier League champion Chelsea to sign a new five-year contract with Santos including higher wages and a 10 million euro jump in his buyout clause to 45 million (US$57.76 million).

"The final decision is always the player's. I spoke to my dad and my family and we decided to stay. I'm happy, it's what I want," the 18-year-old told a news conference.

"I think (the decision) is going to help my game quite a lot because I'm happy. Money alone doesn't bring happiness," added the player sitting next to his father and Santos president Luis Oliveira.

The possible transfer of Neymar has been a major talking point in Brazil during recent weeks with the likes of Pele, Mario Zagallo and new Brazil coach Mano Menezes suggesting it was too early in his career for a move to Europe.

"This decision of Neymar's is not based on a mere arithmetic comparison of figures here and there because if it was like that Santos would lose out," De Oliveira said.

"It's a much wider reaching attitude which shows that a kid of 18 is capable of taking the decision of a mature man."

He emerged last season as "the new Robinho" and went on to play a leading part in Santos' capture of this year's Paulista (Sao Paulo) state championship scoring 14 goals in 19 matches.

 

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