Neymar's transfer generated a significant amount of buzz. He had been linked with teams in Europe for months, but the world patiently waited to see where he would end up.
A lucrative transfer to Barcelona in the summer confirmed what many had believed would happen for quite some time. But now that the dust has settled, Sandro Rosell finds himself in the middle of a lawsuit involving the Brazilian's transfer.
It is believed that the transfer fee that was announced for Neymar, is not actually what Barcelona may have paid for him. With all the media hype involving the situation, Sandro Rosell has decided to resign from the club.
Behind he leaves three and a half years of incredible success. Since his arrival at the club in July of 2010, Rosell has helped guide the Blaugrana to 160 victories, 39 draws, 20 losses, 588 goals and 178 conceded. The club has also won nine titles since he took over as president.
Read some of Rosell's statement below
"In recent days an unfair and reckless accusation of misappropriation has resulted in a lawsuit against me in the Audiencia Nacional. From the beginning I have said that the signing of Neymar Junior has been correct and his signing has caused despair and envy in some of our adversaries.
The right of the club members to be informed needs to be compatible with the defense of the club and confidentiality of certain matters and facts. This confidentiality is essential in the world of football because otherwise the club could be damaged.
The board of directors is a team. And this team leads a project that has brought this club great success. I don't want unfair attacks to negatively affect their management or the image of the club. This is why I think my time here has come to an end.
Now, in accordance with the club's statuses, I have presented my irrevocable resignation of the presidency of FC Barcelona to the Board of Directors.
From this moment, just as the directors announced, in accordance with our statuses, the first vice-president of the club, Josep Maria Bartomeu, will immediately assume the presidency of the club until the end of the term, through 2016, just as the board unanimously agreed a few moments ago.
It has been an honor to serve the Barcelonistas. It has been a privilege to be the president of FC Barcelona. I wish nothing but the best to the new president and I ask the club members for their support. I sincerely thank the employees of the club, the players and the managers. My special thanks to the directors who have accompanied me on this voyage.
I also thank my family. They, in the end, are the essence of my life. They are the most important thing to me.
Thank you all.
Visca el Barça and Visca Catalunya"
See below for some reactions on Twitter
