Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez Testifies During Brazilian Star Neymar’s Fraud and Corruption Case

• Real Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez gave evidence in the trial against Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar
• Neymar and eight other individuals are charged with fraud and corruption over his transfer from Santos to Barcelona
• The Brazilian attacker is expected to give evidence as he appears in a Barcelona court on fraud and corruption charges

Brazilian attacker Neymar appeared in a Barcelona court for day two of his trial.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward is charged with fraud and corruption alongside eight other individuals.

Day two of the trial was marked by the testimony of Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. Pérez gave evidence via teleconference.

Why did Pérez give evidence?

Real Madrid were interested in signing Neymar from Santos, but the player ultimately signed for Barcelona.

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DIS, the Brazilian investment firm who is charging Neymar, claim his move to Barcelona was undervalued and that higher offers were received from other clubs.

What did Pérez say?

Madrid’s president confirmed that Los Blancos were indeed interested in signing Neymar before his move to the Blaugrana and that an offer was made, Barca Universal reported.

Pérez admitted that an offer of €45 million was tabled for the Brazilian in 2011.

“We were interested, I think 10 years ago. I don’t know what the clause was, but in 2011 the sports management made an offer to Santos," he explained.

Pérez added that players often chose which club they wanted to play for and Neymar chose Barcelona, which is why he signed for them.

Pérez concluded by saying that he never knew Neymar and had never spoken to him or Santos’s vice president, Odilio Rodrigues personally during the potential transfer.

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What happens next?

The trial is expected to continue throughout the week and Neymar is expected to testify on his own behalf as well.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar appears in Barcelona court on fraud and corruption charges

It's a make-or-break week for Neymar Jr.

The Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain superstar faces jail time if found guilty of the fraud and corruption charges levelled against him, Sports Brief earlier reported.

Neymar Jr and eight others appeared in a Barcelona court on Monday, October 17. They face fraud and corruption charges over Neymar's 2013 transfer from Santos to Barcelona.