New Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes has suggested he chose to join the Catalan club instead of Real Madrid due to a feeling that their "philosophy and personality" fit his own.
Barca announced late last Thursday night that they had agreed to sign Gomes, 22, with the deal coming as a surprise as Madrid had appeared best placed to bring in the Portugal midfielder and were reportedly willing to pay as much as €65 million.
The Portugal international signed his new five-year contract as a Barca player on Wednesday at the Camp Nou, after completing a medical and being presented by club president Josep Maria Bartomeu as "already a world-class crack."
LIVE: After the Camp Nou Platea, @aftgomes heads towards the Miniestadi https://t.co/uXivkhr62q #AndreGomesFCB pic.twitter.com/vbRjQukLQQ
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 27, 2016
Speaking to reporters at the subsequent news conference, the one-time Benfica youngster admitted he had a choice to make this summer, but it had not been difficult once he knew Barca were interested.
"It is a personal matter, every club has their personality, and my personality and philosophy fits with Barca," Gomes said. "I had to choose. And once Barca entered, there was nothing more to decide. I have come here to win trophies. I am proud to wear this jersey. It is a dream for me and my family. If I had to choose -- I chose what I believe was the best for me. And I believe I have not made a mistake. I had no doubts about signing for this club."
Gomes is now set to be the first ever player to count as teammates both Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca talisman Lionel Messi, and deftly dodged a question asking him to choose which was the better.
"We all know they are both great players," he said. "I enjoy playing with Ronaldo for Portugal, now I can play with Messi. It's an honour for me to play with both."
The new arrival will now compete for one of two attacking midfield places with Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic, Arda Turan, Denis Suarez and Sergi Roberto and Sergi Samper.
"Competition for places is not a problem for me," he said. "What I want most is to learn, I am still 22. I know it is not easy at Barca. I must enjoy it, and try and do the best possible, to adapt as quickly as possible. All the midfielders are great players, I do not need to name names.
"I want to work hard, sacrifice, humble, to play at Barcelona. I am only about to turn 23, I have time to improve and become a much better player, adapt to what is needed. I do not mind playing on left or right, whatever the coach needs, what is best for the team."
The deal which sees Gomes arrive at the Camp Nou includes a number of add-ons which could see the initial €35 million price doubled, although the club have said that would only happen "should he win multiple Ballon d'Or awards."
Barca vice president Jordi Mestre spoke at the presentation and admitted that another midfielder had not been budgeted for at the beginning of the transfer window, while denying that the extra investment would mean the club needed to change its plans in any way.
"At first signing this type of player was not planned in our budget, but in the end we decided we should do the deal," Mestre said. "But the money invested here does not put in danger any other operation at the club."
Blaugrana sporting director Robert Fernandez said that once the chance arose to sign a player the club had been monitoring for some time, everyone at the Camp Nou agreed a deal should be done.
"Andre brings together conditions we were looking for," Robert said. "He is a quality player, he is young, strong, and will help to fill the centre of the pitch. We have been following him for a long time. And a real possibility arose, which was important, and he wanted to come to Barca. That was always important in the end. We are fully in agreement that he was the player we wanted."