Neymar’s next club: Lionel Messi reunion at Inter Miami, Santos homecoming & all the transfer options available to Brazil superstar as he aims for ‘last shot’ at World Cup glory
The ex-PSG star has a huge decision to make on his future, with Al-Hilal set to let the injury-ravaged forward leave the club this summer
“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,” Neymar said in an interview with CNN earlier this month. Brazil have certainly missed the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star in their latest CONMEBOL qualifying campaign, slipping to fifth in the standings, seven points behind arch-rivals Argentina.
Neymar played in Brazil’s first four games, recording five goal contributions, but tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee during a shock 2-0 defeat against Uruguay on October 17, 2023, and was stretchered off the pitch in floods of tears. He hasn’t featured in the iconic yellow for his country since.
Al-Hilal finally welcomed Neymar back to the pitch in October last year, but his return lasted for just 42 minutes across two games, as he was left with a tear in his hamstring after overstretching for the ball. Neymar is now nearing the end of his recovery from that particular blow, but according to The Athletic, there is practically zero chance that he will be offered a contract extension by the Saudi Pro League champions, who have seen no return on their initial €90 million (£77m/$98m) investment in the Brazilian over the last two seasons.
Neymar will leave the Middle East when his contract expires this summer, and despite his persistent physical struggles, there is no shortage of potential suitors lining up for his signature. The question is: where is the best place for Neymar to rebuild his fitness and confidence in order to force his way back into the Brazil squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup? GOAL runs through the six transfer options available to the 32-year-old below…
Inter Miami
“Playing again with [Lionel] Messi and [Luis] Suarez would be incredible,” Neymar told CNN when quizzed on the possibility of a move to Inter Miami. “They are my friends. We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio.”
Neymar, Messi and Suarez famously formed the deadly ‘MSN’ triumvirate at Barcelona between 2014 and 2017, delivering 253 goals and seven trophies while wowing audiences across Europe. And Neymar is right, it would be “incredible” to see them reunite in Florida; he would complete Miami’s contingent of ex-Barcelona superstars, which also includes Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and new head coach Javier Mascherano, and perhaps be the final piece in the puzzle towards the club’s ultimate goal of MLS Cup glory.
The potential move was described as “impossible” by Mascherano last week due to MLS salary cap rules, but the league has since announced a new mechanism that clubs can use to raise extra money through domestic transfers, which means Miami could get some big wage packets off their books to pursue new targets.
This doesn’t feel like a farfetched deal anymore. Indeed, Miami’s managing owner Jorge Mas said to GiveMeSport last month: “We are aspirational. If there is ever a chance to bring the calibre of a player like Neymar, we will not hesitate.” The chance is there now, and maybe a reunion with old friends is exactly what Neymar needs to get back to his best.
Chicago Fire
MLS does indeed look like the most realistic option for Neymar at the moment, but Miami might not be his final landing spot. According to ESPN, three other U.S. clubs have already opened preliminary transfer talks with the Brazil international, including the Chicago Fire.
Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna was first to report the Fire’s interest, adding that Neymar has been offered a two-year contract at Soldier Field. That would guarantee his future at club level through to the end of the 2026, and if a preferred move to Miami never materialises, heading to Chicago could be the next best thing.
Neymar could build some invaluable soccer experience in the U.S. ahead of the next World Cup, which is primarily being staged in North America, while working under the tutelage of former USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter. The Fire have only appeared in the MLS playoffs once since 2012, but expectations are growing with Berhalter now at the helm, and signing Brazil’s all-time top goal-scorer would be a major statement of intent.
Santos
Next up: the most romantic destination. Neymar initially established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the game at Santos, making his pro debut for the Brazilian club at just 17 years old. He quickly became a hero at Santos, most notably inspiring their run to Copa Libertadores glory in 2011, with some even going so far as to label him Pele’s heir – and Barcelona eventually bought into his immense potential.
The second coming of Neymar would be monumental for Santos, who are still recovering from the blow of suffering relegation for the first time in their 112-year history in 2023. Club president Marcelo Teixeira has said they are ready to offer Neymar a “concrete project”, while executive director Marcio Calves has expressed his belief that there is a “60 percent chance” the beloved academy graduate will retrace his steps this summer.
Neymar last visited the club as a fan in April 2023, and vowed: “One day I’ll be back.” That day appears to be edging closer, with Santos now in a better position to match his wage demands as a result of the financial boost that came with their immediate promotion back into Brazil’s top flight last season.
Flamengo
Santos are not the only club in Brazil that Neymar could join, though. Back in 2016, after a charity game organised by Brazil icon Zico, Neymar said: “It would be a great honour for me to play for Flamengo, at the Maracana. It’s a club I’d love to play for.”
Neymar even posed for a photo on social media wearing a Flamengo jersey last summer, and it has been reported that he could be bought in to replace Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa, who left the club in December before signing for Cruzeiro. Flamengo have more financial power than Santos right now, and they are serious contenders for all the biggest trophies on offer in South America.
Former club president Rodolfo Landim has also leaned into the speculation, telling ESPN back in July: “It doesn’t hurt to dream, right? I think Neymar is a completely extraordinary player, the best in the world.” This one could have some legs, though it remains to be seen if Neymar would pick Flamengo over Santos if both clubs launched formal bids.
Arsenal?!
We know what you’re thinking: Neymar to Arsenal is a completely ludicrous notion. Why would the Gunners ever break their wage structure to sign a man who turns 33 in February and hasn’t been able to stay fit for more than a few successive games in the past five years?
It would certainly be a massive risk, but former Arsenal ‘Invincible’ Gilberto Silva believes it could pay off tenfold. “I’d love to see Neymar in the Premier League with Arsenal, it would be interesting that’s for sure,” the Brazilian World Cup winner said in an interview courtesy of Bet365’s Copa America coverage. “It would bring a lot of joy to fans and make the competition even more special. Let’s see. It’s not impossible that he could join Arsenal, why not?”
Boxing promoter Frank Warren then did his best to fuel that talk when meeting Neymar ringside for the light heavyweight unification bout between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol in Riyadh in October, saying: “This is the man. He’s coming to England. He’s going to come and play for Arsenal.” Neymar looked more than a little bit perplexed, and laughed awkwardly, but stranger things have happened.
Arsenal are most definitely in need of more firepower upfront, and if they fail to land their main targets, Neymar might well come into their thoughts as a free transfer option who would generate a huge buzz at the Emirates Stadium.
Article from: https://goal.com/