With Neymar about to be unveiled as Barcelona's new mega signing, Sportsmail is offering live coverage throughout the day on his arrival in Spain and his unveiling at the Nou Camp.
The Brazilian is joining the likes of
Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Daniel Alves at Barcelona as he
looks to emulate other great South American strikers who have flourished
in Europe.
4.06pm OFFICIAL: Neymar has passed his medical
4.02pm Accompanying
Neymar today has been his father, Neymar da Silva Sr, and they just
posted this very touching photo on Twitter as he goes through the final
stages of his medical back at the hospital.
Neymar and his father pose as the Brazilian star undergoes his medical
3.48pm As
far as we know, the medical has been completed smoothly and Neymar is
on his way to the Nou Camp for his official unveiling, which is due to
get underway in the next hour or so.
3.15pm The first behind-the-scenes pictures from today are starting to emerge.
He's
also had time to post a pic on Instagram, writing: 'Today I start a new
chapter in my life! Thank you my Lord...I'm very happy!'
Meanwhile the crowds continue to arrive in their droves at the Nou Camp for the official unveiling later on.
Barcelona's official Twitter account also posted the first picture of Neymar in training kit.
Check-up: Neymar looks relaxed as he undergoes the first part of his medical in a Barcelona hospital
Measuring up: Neymar in the second part of his medical this afternoon, which took place at the club's training ground
Happy: Neymar posted this picture on Instagram expressing his delight at signing for Barcelona
New kit: Neymar in Barcelona training gear for the first time
2.48pm According to Barcastuff on Twitter,
the gates of the Nou Camp have been opened 20 minutes earlier than
planned to allow the large crowd assembled outside to get into the
stadium for the Neymar unveiling.
2.32pm Neymar
has left hospital following the first part of his medical tests and was
again mobbed by supporters gathered outside. The second part will take
place at the club's training ground.
Earlier
on, Neymar couldn't resist having his picture taken with a couple of
club legends. Well, life-size photographs of them...
Good company: Neymar poses with Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta
2.20pm As
we wait for confirmation that Neymar has put pen to paper on his
five-year contract, let's have a look at his goalscoring record.
For
Santos, since his first appearance in 2009, he has scored 54 goals in
103 games in the Brasileirao League, 53 in 76 in the Paulista State
Championship, 13 in 15 in the Cup, 15 in 29 in continental competitions
and one in two in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Overall, his club tally is 136 goals in 225 games.
And for Brazil, he has 20 in 32 matches.
1.51pm So
Neymar is currently undergoing his medical at the Nou Camp. We assume
there won't be any problems on that front and the rest of the day can go
ahead as planned.
What's all the fuss? A bus of tourists passes the swarm of supporters at the gates of the Nou Camp as they greet Neymar
1.36pm So which other Brazilians are flying high in Europe?
Playing
against England yesterday were the Chelsea duo of David Luiz and Oscar,
with Ramires controversially left out of the team.
Manchester
United can boast their fair share, with twins Rafael and Fabio
alongside Anderson. Liverpool have midfielders Luca Leiva and Countinho,
while Julio Cesar finished the season at relegated QPR.
As for the rest of Europe, Neymar will join Daniel Alves and Adriano at Barcelona, with Marcelo and Kaka at rivals Real Madrid.
Brazil
captain Thiago Silva is at the heart of the PSG defence, with Luis
Gustavo at Bayern Munich and Fernandinho at Shakhtar Donetsk.
Here's some more images of Neymar's arrival at the Nou Camp
Behind bars: Fans clammer to get a sight of their new signing
13.21pm Neymar
has arrived at the Nou Camp to be greeted by a crowd of photographers
all pushing and pulling to get the the front of the queue.
The
iconic Barcelona crest is the backdrop for Neymar's first official
photos as he carries only a bootbag on his way in to his medical.
13.08pm Glen
Johnson will know better than most just what sublime touch Neymar has,
even if the Brazilian didn't make the most of his chances at the
Maracana.
A
long hopeful ball was played by Paulinho and both Johnson and Neymar
chased after it. Neymar took it down with a sweeping touch leaving
Johnson running past and looking rather foolish.
Wave away: The biggest arrival at Barcelona since a certain Argentine teenager?
Eager: Photographers line-up to take snaps of the new Barcelona star
New kid on the block: Outside the Barcelona offices
Joe
Hart saved the day for England on that occasion, but there will be many
keepers in Spain who aren't quite a good as the England No 1.
12.52pm
With Neymar set to become his Barcelona teammate, Andres Iniesta is
already predicting a bright future for both the Brazil star and the
Spanish club.
Stardom: Neymar next to the Barcelona club crest outside the Nou Camp
Centre of attention: Every photographer in Barcelona will be at the Nou Camp
Iniesta
said that Neymar is coming 'to the best place to grow,' and that he
expects the 21-year-old forward to become even better when paired in
attack with four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi.
'He
can bring us a lot because he is very talented player,' said Iniesta.
'He brings his ability to break down defenses, to score, and to
entertain. He is young. He has a long path ahead of him, and he is
coming to the best place to grow.'
Iniesta
also tried to ease the pressure on his new teammate and allay any
concerns fans might have about whether two major stars like Messi and
Neymar can play together.
Sweeping touch: Several times Glen Johnson was chasing shadows
'He
is coming to the best possible place for him,' Iniesta said. 'Let him
do what he does best, that is enough. It is great news that we can count
on him. Surrounded by the people he will have here, he will get better
and better.
'Great players always understand one another. Leo will be make Neymar better, and Neymar will make Leo better.'
More of the same: Andres Iniesta believes Neymar will add another exciting dimension to Barcelona
12.46pm We
will of course discover later on which shirt number Neymar will take at
Barcelona. The expectation is that he will wear the number 11, bumping
Thiago Alcantara, who has been linked with a shock move to Real Madrid.
Neymar wears the number 10 for his country but there's a certain
Argentinean who might have something to say about any request for that
shirt at Barca...
12.38pm So
should we believe all the hype about Neymar? Having played in Brazil
for his entire career so far, our glimpses of this wonderkid have been
restricted to the miracle of YouTube. But John Edwards dug beyond the
hyperbole in this recent backgrounder for Sportsmail.
12.35pm
Here's the first picture of Neymar in Barcelona! He gives the thumbs up
to waiting photographers and cameramen as he leaves the airport
terminal.
Thumbs up! Neymar after landing at Barcelona's El Prat Airport
12.31pm Neymar
was, of course, in action for Brazil last night as they warmed up for
the Confederations Cup with a 2-2 draw against England in the newly
re-opened Maracana. By popular opinion, it wasn't his best performance,
as Sportsmail's comparison with the other 'Number 10' Wayne Rooney suggests.
12.27pm In
a press conference prior to the weekend's match with Malaga, coach Tito
Vilanova heralded the arrival of Neymar, joking that he can provide the
goals that Barcelona need.
They
scored 115 in La Liga alone last season but Vilanova said: 'He's a
player who can play in different positions, not only on the left wing.
'He
can also play behind the centre forward. We think he'll adjust nicely,
he's a very talented player. He helps the team defend and tactically
we'll help him adapt to Spanish and European football.
'We
should remember that all the big European teams wanted him and we are
certain that he'll perform at a high level. He can score goals, and
that's something we need.'
Delighted: Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova said Neymar will provide another attacking option for his side
12.15pm Neymar has landed! The
Brazilian's plane has arrived at El Prat Airport. However, his red-eye
flight seems to be delayed as the official photo session has been pushed
back to 1pm.
12pm So the time has arrived that the most talked about footballer on the planet finally comes to Europe.
Neymar has chosen to join the ranks
of Barcelona over age-old rivals Real Madrid for an undisclosed fee, but
which could be anything up to £50 million.
The expectation on the 21-year-old
prodigy is going to be immense as he takes on defences in La Liga and
the Champions League next season.
Having featured in Brazil's 2-2 draw
with England in the Maracana last night, Neymar is set to fly to Spain
today with Barca publicising a whole day of photo opportunities as he is
unveiled to the fans.
At midday, there will be an initial
photo session followed by a medical, which they will hope is just a
formality. Later, thousands of spectators are expected to assemble at
the Nou Camp for the traditional on-the-pitch welcome.
The day will conclude at 7.30pm with Neymar facing the world's press in a Barcelona shirt for the first time.
Stay with us for all the latest updates and pictures as the day goes on.
Early arrivals: Armed with shirts, Brazilian
flags and even cartoons, these Barcelona fans were determined to get the
first glimpse of their new hero
Delayed: Neymar poses on the flight from Brazil with his friends
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