Neymar: 'I would have paid less for myself'

The world's most expensive footballer has expressed regrets over the €222-million fee splashed for his blockbuster move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.

Ahead of Brazil's World Cup opener with Switzerland, Neymar admitted that he's uncomfortable with being the costliest player ever.

"I'm not proud of my transfer fee, or the fact that I'm the most expensive player ever," Neymar told Spox, courtesy of ESPN FC. "That's money and nothing else. I can't help it. Personally, I would have paid less for myself."

Named Ligue 1 Player of the Year with 19 goals and 13 assists in 20 league outings, Neymar's first campaign in the French capital saw the silky goal-scorer capture a domestic treble. It was a truly remarkable season for a player who has always worked hard to stand out.

"I always wanted to be special," the former Santos star conceded. "That was my goal very early - actually from the moment I started playing football for a club. That was at the age of 11. It may sound clumsy but from then on, I have tried to get better every single day and get to my best."