Santos chief claims Neymar stayed to save his hair from Mourinho

Despite earlier reports that Neymar would leave Santos for Real Madrid in a 53 million deal in January, the 19-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with the Brazilian club last week. Now, Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro claims Neymar pledged his loyalty until the 2014 World Cup in an effort to save his fauxhawk from Jose Mourinho.

From Soccernet:

"The behaviour of Real Madrid's board of directors was lamentable and arrogant. Their attitude resembled a colonial mentality," Alvaro Ribeiro was quoted as saying by O Estado de Sao Paulo.

"I convinced Neymar to stay by telling him that Jose Mourinho would have forced him to cut his hair. He can do with his hair whatever he likes here."

OK, before you go believing that this is actually want convinced Neymar to stay, keep in mind the fact that Ribeiro has an often fantastical point of view. This is, after all, the man who claimed there is a grand conspiracy among the world's media to push Neymar to join a European club. He also wants 70-year-old Pele to play in this year's Club World Cup.

Plus, we all know Mourinho would only chop off Neymar's hair if he signed with Barcelona instead of Real. After pokin! g him in the eye first.

Photo: Reuters