A former Real Madrid junior coach has explained why Neymar wasn't signed as a junior player after trials.

Neymar came for a trial in the Spanish capital when he was 14 years of age, but a move from Santos didn't materialise and he instead ended up going to Barcelona a few years later.

"I went to the dressing room to welcome the kid, like we did with anyone," the unnamed coach told Marca.

"I found a small and skinny kid with shaved hair.

"The first thing that caught my attention was the fact he was so small and skinny, but then we saw there was a footballer of the top level.

"When he first had contact with the ball, we realised his quality.

"Everybody was aware that he was a very interesting player for the club for the future.

"I think Real Madrid made him a very good offer.

"They say that his father received that offer and told those in Brazil, saying 'I'm here at the Bernabeu and they've offered these conditions, so we'll talk and try to improve them'.

"I also know, because this came out afterwards, that when the president of Santos got worried about losing Neymar he spoke to the father and there was a promise for Neymar to return and for them to provide the family with an apartment."