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Is Neymar really on his way to Inter Miami?
Blogs

Is Neymar really on his way to Inter Miami?

29/10/24 21:30

Inter Miami and Neymar rumours grow as an MSN reunion looks increasingly likely

How true are the rumours?

If someone had told you a year ago that the possibility of the ‘MSN’ trio reuniting looked very likely, you probably wouldn’t have believed them. But now it looks more likely than ever, with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi already at the club - and winning trophies - Neymar Jr is the final piece to the puzzle.

It isn’t a secret that David Beckham’s Inter Miami has already started reuniting multiple ex-Barcelona teammates, including Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and the aforementioned. But rumours have skyrocketed recently after The Wall Street Journal first reported that Neymar bought a $26 million waterfront property in Bal Harbour, Miami. The Florida-based club’s owner has also previously posted Neymar on his Instagram, as the southern state is often the footballer’s go-to travel destination.

But it is not only the property purchase that has sparked the transfer talk, Saudi Arabian journalist Tariq Al Nofal said: "Exclusively, the remainder of Neymar Jr's contract with Al Hilal will be sold to Inter Miami during the winter transfer window next January. He would join his former Barcelona teammates." Even if this spoken-of deal were not to happen, his contract expires next Summer regardless, the winger has only made six appearances in the Middle East since he signed over a year ago.

Choosing the MLS over the Saudi Pro League is often one that does not benefit a player financially, but it is a choice that all of Neymar’s ex-Barcelona teammates made as it is often a more familiar and relaxed environment in the United States. Neymar is considerably younger than his ‘MSN’ counterparts, so moving to Miami would give him time to build up a strong brand image in time for the American 2026 World Cup (including seven games in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium).

What would this mean for Inter Miami and the MLS?

The MLS operates under many rules that are in place to try and keep the league competitive, including the salary cap and the designated player (DP) rule. The DP rule allows three players to be excluded from the club’s salary roster ($5,470,000 across the whole squad yearly for the 2024 season). Miami’s current DPs are Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Leo Campana meaning that either one would have to make room for Neymar, or the Brazilian would have to take a huge wage cut to fit inside the rest of the club’s capped budget.

Regarding the rest of the league, Miami’s current team is perhaps the strongest an MLS side has ever been allowed to get, which is reflected by Tata Martino’s squad breaking the regular season points record (74). There is a danger of Inter Miami becoming a dominant club, something that the MLS is not accustomed to. But with clubs such as LAFC signing increasing amounts of ‘big name’ stars, names like Antoine Griezmann and Kevin De Bruyne linked to the league, and the MLS recording its best year for attendance, sponsorship and social media engagement, it appears that the best is yet to come.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
James McLeish

Writer

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