Neymar arrived in Barcelona on Monday to complete his deal with the Catalan club, which will see the Brazil star form a formidable attacking partnership with Lionel Messi.
.
Neymar traveled straight to Spain from Brazil's friendly with England in Rio de Janeiro and is set to sign a five-year contract on Monday after choosing Barcelona over Real Madrid, bringing an end to an intense bidding war between the fierce rivals.
.
Neymar's flight from Brazil arrived an hour behind schedule at around 1 p.m. local time. Decked out in solid black with sunglasses and a baseball cap, he headed straight to Camp Nou where he took his first photograph in front of the blue and burgundy club insignia with over a hundred fans waiting for him, some wearing his shirt and waving Brazilian flags.
.
After undergoing two medical exams, he will meet with club president Sandro Rosell to ink the deal and then get his first touches of a ball on the Camp Nou pitch in front of his new supporters.
.
Earlier on Monday, Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta said Neymar is coming "to the best place to grow," and that he expects the 21-year-old forward to become even better when paired in attack with four- time world player of the year Lionel Messi.
.
"He can bring us a lot because he is very talented player," said Iniesta. "He brings his ability to break down defenses, to score, and to entertain. He is young. He has a long path ahead of him, and he is coming to the best place to grow."
.
Iniesta also tried to ease the pressure on his new teammate and allay any concerns fans might have about whether two major stars like Messi and Neymar can play together.
.
"He is coming to the best possible place for him," Iniesta said. "Let him do what he does best, that is enough. It is great news that we can count on him.
.
Surrounded by the people he will have here, he will get better and better.
.
"Great players always understand one another. Leo will be make Neymar better, and Neymar will make Leo better."
.
Neymar flew to the Mediterranean city on a private jet with a small entourage that left Brazil after the national side's 2-2 draw with England on Sunday. He will then quickly return to his home country for the upcoming Confederations Cup which Brazil is hosting in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.