Neymar, FC Cincinnati in early talks over shock MLS move: report
Neymar being recruited by FC CincinnatiFC Cincinnati are working to woo Neymar into a blockbuster MLS deal, according to a report.
The Athletic have reported that representatives for the former Barcelona and Paris-Saint Germain star have been engaged in “preliminary” discussions with Cincy brass regarding the 34-year-old, who currently plays for Brazilian giants Santos.
Sources told the outlet that the talks are in the ‘very early stages’, with Cincinnati still assessing the player’s financial demands and whether he’d be open to the move.
The Brazil star, who reportedly underwent a knee procedure during last month’s international break, is hoping to be fit for the USA, Mexico and Canada-hosted World Cup this summer.
However, he has not played for the national team since October 2023, when he tore his ACL in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
Neymar reacting during a Brazilian soccer league match. APMonths earlier, he had left PSG to join Saudi side Al-Hilal, where he played just seven games before returning to boyhood club Santos last year. Neymar is under contract at Santos through the end of 2026.
Also complicating a potential Cincinnati move for Neymar is that the club does not have any open designated player spots.
The decorated forward would almost certainly have to be signed as one of the club’s ‘DPs’ – one of three players whose salary can exceed the salary cap – due to his likely salary demands.
Other designated players around the league include former Tottenham star Son-Heung Min at LAFC, Emil Forsberg at the New York Red Bulls and, of course, Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
FC Cincinnati players celebrate after scoring a goal. Katie Stratman-Imagn ImagesNeymar, according to reports, also spoke with the Chicago Fire last year, while he has also been the subject of rumors linking him to New York City FC.
He has three goals and two assists in four league games this season, but was not called up to Brazil’s squad for friendlies late last month against Croatia and France.
Santos coach Cuca told ESPN that the player would be ‘raring to go’ over the rest of the season following his procedure, despite missing a game last weekend.
If he can force his way back into Brazil’s World Cup squad, his team’s first game in the tournament would be against Morocco on June 13 at MetLife Stadium.
