Neymar Ballon D'Or Nomination Reportedly to Cost Barcelona €2m in Santos Deal

Barcelona have been forced to pay Santos a further €2 million after 2013 signing Neymar was nominated as part of the three-man shortlist to win this year's Ballon d'Or. 

A clause in the Brazilian's contract stipulates the Blaugrana must shell out the sum after Neymar was named alongside team-mate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the final three for the award, per Sport's J.M. Bertran.

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Neymar signed a five-year deal at the Camp Nou in 2013 and won a European and domestic treble in just his second season with the club before helping Barca claim a strong La Liga lead this term.

According to Breathe Sport, the Selecao attacker's 2015 statistics are the least remarkable of the nominated trio, but at 23 years of age, he can expect to only improve those figures in the years to come:

"

#BallondOr finalists in 2015: Messi: 44 goals, 21 assists Neymar: 41 goals, 12 assists CR7: 47 goals, 14 assists pic.twitter.com/mQZNUyscs5

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) November 30, 2015"

Speaking to Catalan broadcaster TV3 this past week, Neymar voiced his intention to extend his stay at Barcelona, and the club would undoubtedly be keen to agree a new deal (h/t ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan).

Although the €2 million fee paid to Santos may seem a hefty bonus to pay out right now, Luis Enrique's side are likely happy to shell out considering the improvements Neymar has made to their squad since his arrival.

A Ballon d'Or nomination serves as an indicator as to how the South American superstar is thriving in Catalonia, although further payments may no longer be a concern should he sign a new contract.

Brazilian giants Santos may be reaping the benefits of their forward-thinking approach to Neymar's sale, but it's likely to be Barcelona who will consider themselves the biggest winners in the long run.