Neymar: ´I am staying at Santos´

Santos striker Neymar says he will see out his contract with the Brazilian side, despite interest from several of the world’s biggest clubs.

The 19-year-old was expected to be a big signing this transfer window, but he was declared indispensable on Friday after earlier claims five clubs had met his 45 million euro release fee.

But Neymar, whose agent, Wagner Ribeiro, revealed on Friday there was little chance of him leaving, said he planned to remain at the Vila Belmiro.

“I have a contract that I intend to honour,” he told Globo TV in a yet-to-be-aired interview.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, English outfits Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, have all met the player’s release clause, according to Santos.

Neymar said he was looking forward to the Club World Cup, which will be held in Japan in December, and Santos will compete in as Copa Libertadores champions.

“We will have the semi-finals before a likely match against Barcelona. It will be a dangerous game and we must focus our efforts on that game,” he said.

“They are very good with (Lionel) Messi, Dani Alves. The guys are aliens, the best in the world and it will be an honour to meet them.”

The five-time Brazil international also revealed his admiration for Messi.

“Messi is the best and there is no way to dispute that. He is at the top. The second and third best are far behind him. I will work hard to be like him,” Neymar said.

Neymar’s agent told Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paolo on Friday: “There is very little chance to go to Europe now. It would not be good for the boy.”

“The player is not a mercenary. It is not so simple that he would take the money and leave. He must be in agreement with all conditions of the transfer.”

Neymar is currently at the Copa America with Brazil, who meet Venezuela on Sunday.