“Pep Guardiola promised me he would make me the best footballer in the world if I joined his club.”
That’s what Neymar revealed in a recent podcast, and if you think about it, that single line could’ve changed football history forever.
Back in 2013, Neymar wasn’t just Brazil’s next big thing; he was the next big thing. Every major European club wanted him. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and even Bayern Munich were in the race. And honestly, why not?
At just 21, Neymar was tearing it up for Santos. He was already in the Ballon d’Or top 10, a ridiculous achievement for someone who hadn’t even played in Europe yet. The hype was absolutely justified.
And right in the middle of all this, Pep Guardiola entered the picture.
Yes, that Pep with his laptop, tactical notes, and the kind of obsession that could convince any player he’d unlock their full potential. What followed was one of football’s biggest “What if” stories, the time when Neymar almost joined Bayern Munich.
The Midnight Meeting: Pep Guardiola, Neymar, and a Laptop
It all started in January 2012, during the FIFA Puskás Award ceremony in Switzerland. Neymar was there to receive his award after all; he had just scored one of the greatest solo goals ever for Santos.
Late that night, Neymar got a call. Half-asleep, he walked into a hotel room at around 2 a.m., only to find his father, Pep Guardiola, and a translator waiting for him.
At that point, Pep had already left Barcelona and was on a break, planning his next big move. But even while away from football, he couldn’t resist the urge to plan, especially when it came to Neymar.
“Guardiola told me he wanted to take me to the club he was going to,” Neymar recalled. “He said he would do his best for me.”
And then, the full “Pep experience” began. Guardiola pulled out his laptop and notebook and started explaining movement patterns, positioning, and attacking sequences. He even showed Neymar exactly how he’d fit into his tactical system.
At one point, Pep told him:
“If you don’t score 60 goals in a year, I’ll change teams.”
Neymar was impressed but confused. He asked, “Which club are you going to?”
Pep smiled and said he couldn’t reveal it yet. But when Neymar pushed further, Pep finally said it was Bayern Munich.
That was the moment it became real. Neymar seriously considered it. Imagine a young Brazilian prodigy under the world’s most tactical genius, joining a Bayern side about to dominate Europe. It almost happened.
Why Bayern Didn’t Push for Neymar
So why didn’t this dream partnership materialize?
Well, timing.
At that time, Bayern Munich already had their eyes set on another superstar, Mario Götze. He was Germany’s golden boy, the face of the country’s football future, and Bayern’s top transfer target for 2013.
Bayern’s transfer philosophy has always been clear: focus on the best domestic talent first. Signing Neymar, a non-German attacker, wasn’t part of their plan, especially when Götze’s deal was already in motion.
That doesn’t mean Pep wasn’t keen. He was desperate to bring Neymar in. But the Bayern board had their reservations financially, logistically, and philosophically.
And by the time discussions could’ve gone anywhere, two Spanish giants had already made their move.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: The Battle for Neymar
Once Bayern drifted out of the race, the battle came down to the two biggest clubs in the world, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“Real Madrid offered me a blank check,” Neymar said. “They told me to write the amount, and they’d pay it.”
Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, had been obsessed with signing Neymar since his teenage days. Neymar had even trialed with Real Madrid back in 2006 as a kid.
But on the other side was Barcelona, armed with Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and the lure of the Barça DNA.
And of course, there was the Ronaldinho connection. Neymar’s idol had become a global superstar at Barcelona, and that emotional pull mattered.
“Those were intense days,” Neymar later admitted. “I wasn’t training. It was just calls from Madrid on one side and Barcelona on the other. Both presidents were talking to me. I couldn’t even think straight. I imagined myself playing for both.”
Eventually, his heart made the decision.
“My heart said Barça.”
Barcelona’s Brazilian legacy from Romário and Ronaldo to Ronaldinho played a big role. And, of course, the chance to play alongside Messi sealed it.
Neymar signed for Barcelona in the summer of 2013. The rest, as they say, is history.
What If Neymar Had Chosen Bayern?
But let’s play the “what if” game for a second.
What if Neymar had chosen Bayern Munich?
What if he had trained under Pep Guardiola, the man who mapped out a 60-goal season for him on a laptop?
Would we be talking about MSN Messi, Suárez, Neymar, or a different trio altogether: Robben, Neymar, Ribéry?
“RNR” under Pep sounds terrifying, doesn’t it?
Maybe Neymar would’ve become even more complete. Maybe Pep would’ve finally won the Champions League with Bayern. Maybe Neymar, not Messi or Ronaldo, would’ve dominated the 2010s Ballon d’Or era.
Because let’s be honest, a Neymar molded by Pep could’ve been unstoppable.
He had the flair, the technique, the confidence, and Pep’s structure might’ve given him what he lacked most: consistency and control.
Instead, Neymar chose Barcelona, and it’s hard to argue with that. He won a treble, formed one of the greatest attacking trios in football history, and gave us countless unforgettable moments. But still, the thought of what could’ve been at Bayern lingers.
Conclusion
Neymar to Bayern never became official, but the story behind it remains iconic. It’s one of those moments in football history that makes you wonder how different things would be if a single decision had gone the other way.
Maybe Pep’s Bayern would’ve dominated Europe for a decade. Maybe Neymar would’ve lifted multiple Ballon d’Ors.
Or maybe, just maybe, the football world needed Neymar at Barcelona to complete the MSN trio, to give us that 2015 Champions League run, and to remind us why he remains one of football’s greatest entertainers.
In the end, Neymar chose what felt right and gave us memories we’ll never forget.
Still, it’s fascinating to think in another universe, Neymar is at the Allianz Arena, smashing goals under Pep Guardiola’s meticulous eye.
The biggest “what if” of Neymar’s career and one of football’s most intriguing stories ever.
