Inter Miami eyes reunion of Messi, Neymar

Reports from Marca suggest that Inter Miami may be closing in on signing Brazilian forward Neymar Jr.

The speculation arises amid rumors that Neymar’s time at Al-Hilal could be coming to an abrupt end due to recurring fitness issues, which have limited him to just seven appearances for the Saudi club since joining in 2023.

At Al-Hilal, Neymar signed a lucrative £130 million-a-year deal, making him one of football’s highest earners.

However, whispers of a contract termination have fueled discussions about a potential move to Major League Soccer (MLS).

A reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami could reignite memories of their iconic partnership at Barcelona, where Neymar, Messi, and Luis Suárez, known collectively as ‘MSN’ dominated European football with their goal-scoring exploits and seamless teamwork.

While Neymar’s addition could strengthen Miami’s attacking options, critics argue that the club’s defensive frailties remain a pressing concern.

Jeff Carlisle, an ESPN analyst, shared his reservations on the Futbol Americas podcast, stating, “I don’t think Neymar is what they need right now. They need to shore up the backline and bring in some additional quality there.”

If the move materializes, Neymar’s arrival could reshape Inter Miami’s ambitions, but balancing their squad’s needs will be crucial.

“Miami always seems to push right up to the salary cap and roster limits, only to find themselves in situations where they are dealing from a position of weakness. That could make this off-season especially difficult,” Carlisle added.

According to the report, Inter Miami conceded 49 goals last season, a figure far from the league’s top defences. Bringing in Neymar wouldn’t resolve that issue.

If the deal goes through, Neymar would reunite with his former teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

Inter Miami’s hopes of winning the MLS Cup title were abruptly dashed in early November 2024 when they suffered a shock first-round elimination from the playoffs following a 3-2 home defeat to Atlanta United.

Having won the regular season with a record points total, the MLS Cup favourites, along with their eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, crashed out after losing twice in the best-of-three series.

“There’s also the question of whether Miami are interested in bringing back Suárez, who signed a one-year deal with the club.

“Although he has shown interest in staying, concerns over the 37-year-old’s fitness due to his chronic knee problems persist. Should he leave, a move for Neymar would make more sense, but only time will tell which position Miami will strengthen,” the report stated.