Neymar reveals he almost joined Bayern

According to Neymar, Pep Guardiola wanted to take him to Bayern in 2013.

In a remarkable interview with Brazilian podcast Podpah, former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has revealed that he came close to joining Bayern Munich in 2013.

Pep Guardiola was set to become Bayern’s new coach and contacted Neymar, who was playing for Santos at the time, about the possibility of taking him to Germany.

The 33-year-old thought about the offer, but ultimately turned down the Catalan coach to go to Barcelona.

Neymar: “I almost went to Bayern [in 2013] because of Guardiola. I was in Switzerland to receive the Puskas award and was in my room. My father called me at 2 in the morning. My father, Guardiola and the translator were there. Guardiola told me he wanted to take me to the club he was going to. He said he would do his best for me,” Neymar told PodPah (via @iMiaSanMia).

“He took his laptop, paper, and told me everything. He said that if I didn’t score 60 goals in a year, he would change teams. I asked him which club he was going to, and he said he couldn’t tell me. I asked him ‘please’, and he said he was going to sign for Bayern. He said he knew it was a cold city, not like Barcelona or Madrid, but he promised he would take care of me and make me the best. I decided to go to Barcelona, but I really thought about going to Bayern.”

Neymar ended up spending four years at Barcelona before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain. He later joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal before returning to Santos.

Guardiola moved to Manchester City after three years at Bayern.