PARIS — Neymar insisted that money was not a motivation in deciding to join Paris Saint-Germain and said Friday that he would not be burdened by his 222 million-euro ($262-million) price tag.

The Brazilian star flew in from Barcelona on a private jet for his official presentation, arriving in a city whose soccer fortunes he is expected to transform.

At a packed Paris news conference, Neymar found it "really sad" to be asked whether the riches on offer were the reason for his decision to swap one of soccer's most illustrious teams — Barcelona has won every major honor multiple times — for a club yet to win the biggest competitions outside of France.

"I was never motivated by money," Neymar said at the PSG stadium. "What I think about is happiness. If I was following the money I would maybe be in some other country."

The move more than doubled the previous transfer record. "The fact I am the most expensive player is not a burden. I am 69 kgs (152 pounds)," Neymar said through a translator.

A record-breaking transfer leaves PSG having to squeeze every euro out of the signing — through sponsorship, merchandise and jersey sales — to ensure the club complies with European soccer's financial regulations.

Posters of the Brazilian — accompanied by the words "Welcome to a Paris Neymar Jr 10" — were unveiled to cheers on the front of the central Paris store where fans had been waiting for hours to get their hands on jerseys emblazoned with his name.

"We look at Neymar as a brand," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. "I don't think he is expensive because I think (the transfer) will pay more than we paid." With Neymar on board, supporters expect the team will achieve much more than just regain the French title from Monaco.

The transfer could also elevate the 25-year-old forward to new personal heights as he emerges from the shadow of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. "He is one of the three best players in the world," 21-year-old PSG fan Sacha Cope said as he waited in line outside the club store on the Champs-Elysees on Friday morning to buy a Neymar jersey.

"He comes here to win the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain. We are expecting that. If he can do that here, for sure he will win the Ballon D'Or. He couldn't do that at Barcelona because he was with Messi."

It was unclear if Neymar would make his debut when PSG opens its league season Saturday against Amiens, a team making its top-flight debut. Philippe Chembon, a fan, flaunted a receipt showing he spent 623.50 euros ($740) on four Neymar jerseys. "This is a very big moment for PSG," said the 63-year-old Chembon, who is older than the club.

When word spread late Thursday that Neymar could be staying at Le Royal Monceau in Paris, fans started to descend on the hotel. They weren't deterred from hanging around through the night, despite discovering Neymar wouldn't arrive until the morning.

"We think Neymar will help us to dream bigger and win everything," 20-year-old fan Samy El Amrani Jorey said outside the hotel at 1:30 a.m., adopting the club's motto.

Neymar meanwhile pledged to spark a trophy glut at PSG after agreeing a five-year deal. "I am extremely happy to join Paris Saint-Germain," said Neymar.

"Since I arrived in Europe, the club has always been one of the most competitive and most ambitious. And the biggest challenge, what most motivated me to join my new teammates is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.

"Paris Saint-Germain's ambition attracted me to the club, along with the passion and the energy this brings. I played four seasons in Europe and I feel ready to take the challenge.

"From today, I will do everything I can to help my new teammates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world."

Football legend Pele congratulated Neymar on his move, telling his successor in the famed Brazilian NO. 10 shirt: "Good luck for your new challenge".

"Paris is a beautiful city and one of my favorites in the world," three-time World Cup winner Pele wrote on Twitter.

The transfer is more than double the previous world record set by Manchester United's capture of Paul Pogba from Juventus last year for 105 million euros, leaving many commentators aghast at the rampant inflation in football transfer fees.

Leading coaches such as Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Manchester United's Jose Mourinho lamented that the move could cause even greater inflation in transfer fees and player wages. "It also looks like the inflation is accelerating," said Wenger, whose 21 years at Arsenal have been characterized by prudent spending. "It's beyond calculation and beyond rationality."

Meanwhile, Barcelona says that it is "very displeased" with Neymar and will not pay its former player the 26 million euros ($30.9 million) stipulated as a bonus in his last contract. Barcelona spokesman Josep Vives says "the club will not pay the bonus" that Neymar is due from a contract renewal last year that was supposed to keep him at the Spanish club through 2021.

Vives says that Barcelona's board is "displeased with the decision and displeased by the manners" of Neymar, who signed a five-year contract with PSG on Thursday after triggering his 222 million euros ($262 million) release clause. Vives says that Barcelona would have liked Neymar to have had "a more open, clearer, a more sincere position" with the club about his desire to leave. — Agencies