Here’s the latest Neymar hint that a reunion with Messi at Inter Miami is on his mind
Neymar keeps dropping hints at a potential reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Inter Miami.
In late October, rumors that the Brazilian soccer superstar might someday join former Barcelona teammates Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba grew stronger after Neymar bought a $26 million waterfront property in Bal Harbour.
This past weekend, Neymar posted on social media a photo of himself and his son in a car and his son was wearing an Inter Miami jersey.
Then, on Tuesday, he told CNN Sport: “Obviously playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible. They are my friends, we still speak to each other, it would be interesting to revive this trio. I am happy at Al Hilal and in Saudi Arabia, but who knows. Football is full of surprises.”
If Neymar were to sign with Miami, he’d also be reuniting with former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano, who was hired last month as Inter Miami coach.
Neymar, 32, is under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal through June 2025, which means he can start negotiating with other clubs about his future.
Saudi journalist Tariq Al Nofal reported that Inter Miami has been in talks with Al Hilal about a potential transfer. Al Nofal reported that Al-Hilal is “open to the idea of letting Neymar leave at the beginning of the year if a suitable offer is received” to recoup part of his transfer fee.
Another option is that he could sign with Inter Miami in the Summer 2025 transfer window, after his Saudi contract expires.
Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas, who pulled off the improbable Messi signing, has not ruled out adding Neymar to the star-studded roster.
“The key word is if he were to come available. He is an Al-Hilal player now. He’s not available to us,” Mas said, when asked about the Neymar rumors at the Club World Cup Draw last month.
“I have always said we aspire to bring great players to our team and to our league. We have a lot of roster limitations and restrictions, but were there no restrictions, I said it and I’ll repeat it, we have an unlimited budget. We are aspirational. If there is ever a chance to bring the caliber of a player like Neymar or others, we will not hesitate.”
Neymar has long been a fan of South Florida.
He has been spotted courtside at Miami Heat games several times. He attended the Miami Open with Heat star Jimmy Butler last spring, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Marlins 2024 Opening Day, and was photographed at dinner with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham in late-March last year.
The Brazilian reportedly makes $80 million to 100 million in salary with Al-Hilal and his deal includes perks such as a 25-bedroom mansion with staff and use of a private plane. He would have to accept a significant pay cut to join Major League Soccer, but he might be willing to do so, as were Busquets, Alba and Suarez.
The chance to experience a more relaxed lifestyle in the United States and reunite on the field with close friends is appealing at this stage of their careers.
Neymar left Paris Saint Germain for Al Hilal in 2023 and time in Saudi Arabia has not been ideal, as he suffered a knee injury that required a long layoff. A move to Miami would put him in a city he loves, surrounded by a large Brazilian and Latin American community.
Depending on when he signs, he could be available to play for Miami in the 2025 Club World Cup, which kicks off at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14. He would be here for the opening of the new Miami Freedom Park Stadium, scheduled to open in early 2026.
The timing would also allow him to build up his brand in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Seven World Cup games will be played at Hard Rock Stadium.
“I will try, I want to be there,” he told CNN, when asked about the 2026 World Cup. “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance, and I will do everything I can to play in it.”
Messi, Suarez and Neymar formed the MSN trio with Barcelona from 2014 to 2017, and they combined 363 goals, 272 assists and seven trophies over the four-year span with Barcelona, including the 2014-15 Champions League.