Football
ESPN staff 7y

Neymar planned Chapecoense tribute for goal during Clasico vs. Real Madrid

Brazil and Barcelona forward Neymar was planning to pay tribute to Chapecoense's football team had he scored against Real Madrid during last Saturday's Clasico at the Camp Nou.

A plane carrying members of Chapecoense's football team crashed last week on its way to the club's first-leg match of the Copa Sudamericana final against Colombia's Atletico Nacional, killing 71 people in total, 19 of which were Chapecoense players.

And the Blaugrana star told Gol on Thursday that he was going to reveal a shirt of the tiny Brazilian club from underneath his uniform upon scoring a goal against Barca's arch-rivals last weekend.

"I was going to show a Chapecoense shirt if I had score against Real Madrid," the former Brazil captain said in the interview.

"It's what I could do in the moment, a message to help, to give strength to the families. It's a very difficult moment, it's hard for who is going through this."

Barcelona have invited Chapecoense to play in next summer's Joan Gamper Trophy match at Camp Nou in response to the tragedy. 

Brazil and Colombia have also announced that they will play a friendly at the end of January to help victims of the crash.

Neymar has found himself under scrutiny from Spanish and Brazilian tax authorities since transferring from Santos to Barca in 2013.

Spanish prosecutors announced last month they are seeking a two-year prison sentence and a €10 million fine for Neymar on corruption charges because of alleged irregularities during that transfer.

And the Barca No. 11 admitted the investigations have caused "difficult moments" for his family before turning his attention back to the pitch.

Coveted by the world's biggest clubs since before arriving at the Camp Nou, Neymar has often been viewed as the heir to teammate Lionel Messi's throne atop the world game. 

However, he said he wouldn't switch clubs to improve his chance of winning a Ballon d'Or.

"Of course it is one of my goals to win the Ballon d'Or but I am not dying over it," Neymar said.

Another Barca teammate, Andres Iniesta, has failed to win the crown despite being recognised as one of the greatest players of his era.

Neymar was asked if a player like Iniesta should be given his own prize to award his brilliance.

"Tough question. Andres is the best midfielder I have ever seen play, because he is a quality player, he does everything," Neymar said. "We don't even have to say it. To be good or to be a legend, you don't need the Ballon d'Or. "

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