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ESPNsoccernet: Global | |
Brazilian forward Neymar said Wednesday "it is not yet the time" to play in Europe even as his name continues to be associated with trade rumors.
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Neymar made his comments in Montevideo after receiving the El Pais newspaper's award for South American player of the year for the second straight year.
"Everyone is asking me this but I have a contract with Santos through 2014," Neymar told reporters at the ceremony. "I am happy in Brazil with my family and friends.
Neymar said he expects 2013 to be "a marvelous year." He played down comparisons to Argentina's Lionel Messi, who won his fourth straight Ballon d'Or on Monday. Neymar said his main focus was the Brazil national team and Santos.
"That is not what I'm looking for," he told reporters. "My goal is to help Santos and the Brazilian team. To be the best player in the world is a consequence of that work."
Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup for the first time since 1950. Neymar and his father, Neymar Da Silva, who was also present at the awards ceremony, said Neymar will not play in Europe for now.
"Neymar will stay with Santos until 2014. Afterwards, he can extend that deal if the club wishes to do so," Da Silva said.
Santos president Paulo Schiff compared Neymar to Pele, who spent most of his playing career at the club before joining the New York Cosmos.
"In 30 years, no other Brazilian club has been able to keep onto a great player except us with Neymar. We have refused offers from Barcelona, Chelsea and other clubs," Schiff told the media present.
"We want him to have a great career with Santos like the King Pele during his heyday."