Neymar says he's not quite ready to leave Brazil

European clubs are falling over themselves to get their hands on Brazilian prodigy Neymar, but the 20-year-old said on Wednesday he was still not ready to leave his homeland.

"I'm happy here in Brazil, I'm happy at Santos. I have a dream of playing in Europe, but it's still not the right moment," the Santos forward said in an interview.

The timing of a move to Europe can be critical for Brazilian players.

Many leave too soon, struggle to adapt abroad, are pushed into reserve teams and then see their careers go downhill as they are shunted around clubs on loan.

The biggest worry for Neymar, on the other hand, is that he could stay too long in Brazil where defenses are generous in the amounts of space they offer and referees award free kicks for the slightest of brushes.

Neymar struggled in arguably the two biggest games of his career, last year's Club World Cup final where Santos lost 4-0 to Barcelona and the Olympic Games final in August, where Brazil was beaten 2-1 by Mexico.

He also had an unhappy experience at last year's Copa America, where Brazil was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Paraguay.

"We were very upset about the Copa America," he said. "A lot of people were upset about the Olympic Games, but none more so than us. I am very proud to have taken part in the Olympics and won a medal."

Financially, there is little need for him to go abroad.

Although he could earn higher wages in Europe, in Brazil he has 11 sponsorship contracts and a Neymar shop selling licensed products ranging from mouse pads to cushions and toys.

Children copy his distinctive Mohican hairstyle, and he has 5.5 million followers on Twitter.

"I know they copy my hair, my way of doing things, almost everything, but I don't feel like a pop star," he said. "I'm happy with the affection because I was a fan, I'm still a fan today and I know what it's like to have an idol."

Neymar has made a big effort to calm his temper after being involved in an episode that resulted in Dorival Junior being fired as Santos coach two years ago.

Neymar, then 18, enraged the coach by questioning why he was not chosen to take a penalty. He was banned for the next match, but when Dorival tried to extend the suspension, the Santos board fired the coach.