Neymar insisted that money was not a motivation in deciding to join Paris Saint-Germain and said Friday that he would not be burdened by his 222 million-euro ($262 million) price tag.
The Brazilian star flew in from Barcelona on a private jet for his official presentation, arriving in a city whose soccer fortunes he is expected to transform.
At a packed Paris news conference, Neymar found it "really sad" to be asked whether the riches on offer were the reason for his decision to swap one of soccer's most illustrious teams — Barcelona has won every major honor multiple times — for a club yet to win the biggest competitions outside of France.
"I was never motivated by money," Neymar said at the PSG’s stadium. "What I think about is happiness. If I was following the money I would maybe be in some other country."
The move more than doubled the previous transfer record.
"The fact I am the most expensive player is not a burden. I am 69 kilograms (152 pounds)," Neymar said through a translator.
A record-breaking transfer leaves PSG having to squeeze every euro out of the signing — through sponsorship, merchandise and jersey sales — to ensure the club complies with European soccer's financial regulations.
Posters of the Brazilian — accompanied by the words "Welcome to a Paris Neymar Jr 10" — were unveiled to cheers on the front of the central Paris store where fans had been waiting for hours to get their hands on jerseys emblazoned with his name.
"We look at Neymar as a brand," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. "I don't think he is expensive because I think (the transfer) will pay more than we paid."
Despite the huge transfer fee, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is convinced he has sealed a good deal.
Al-Khelaifi said that before Neymar's signing PSG was worth one billion euros, "and now it is worth 1.5 billion."
He added that Neymar, who has signed a five-year contract and will reportedly earn 30 million euros a year, will soon be worth "double" the price PSG paid for his services.
Neymar 'ready' to make PSG debut Neymar said he was fit and ready to make his Paris Saint-Germain debut on Saturday in their ligue 1 opener against Amiens at the Parc des Princes.
The 25-year-old Brazilian arrived in the French capital on Friday after his world-record 222-million-euro move from Barcelona. The forward will be presented to fans before Saturday’s match, but said he could play a part, despite having not yet spoken to PSG coach Unai Emery. "I always want to play, so I am ready to do so tomorrow. I have trained in pre-season. I stopped for two days, but I am ready, I've seen the pitch and I want to put the PSG shirt on and play."
Kick-off for the game with newly-promoted Amiens has been delayed by 15 minutes.