Soccer
Neymar discusses potential move to MLS with Inter Miami
In the wake of links with a move to MLS franchise Inter Miami, Neymar has spoken about his future in an interview with RMC Sport.
Neymar appears to have closed the door on a mooted move to Inter Miami - for the time being, at least - by telling an interview of his eagerness to go to next summer’s Club World Cup with current team Al Hilal.
Ahead of the 2025 Major League Soccer season, which is due to kick off in late February, Neymar has been heavily tipped for a move to Florida, where he would be reunited with former Barcelona strike partners Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. What’s more, Miami have appointed another ex-Barça team-mate, Javier Mascherano, as their new head coach.
I’m eager to join Al Hilal at 2025 CWC, Neymar says
However, Neymar told RMC Sport this week that his focus in the immediate future is on proving his worth to Al Hilal, having so far endured an injury-hit spell with the Saudi Pro League leaders.
“I want to have a good season with Al Hilal,” the 32-year-old said. “I’m coming back from a very serious injury - it’s still going to take a while before I get back to my best and am able to show just why I’m here.
“My priority is to recover well, keep on improving physically and get back to playing regular soccer. I’m raring to play at the 2025 Club World Cup with Al Hilal, because it’s a really important competition for the club.”
ACL injury disrupts Neymar’s Saudi stint
Since joining Al Hilal in August 2023, Neymar has been restricted to just seven appearances and one goal for the Blue Waves, having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament while on Brazil duty three months later.
As things stand, the former Santos, Barça and Paris Saint-Germain star will be a free agent next summer, with his Al Hilal contract due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season. In addition to links with Inter Miami, he has also been tipped to return to Brazil to rejoin Santos.
Should Miami move for the forward at any point in the future, sources inside the American club say, MLS would have to relax its salary cap rules to make such a swoop possible.
Who will Al Hilal face at the Club World Cup?
Al Hilal, who qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup as winners of the 2021 AFC Champions League, have been drawn in Group H with Real Madrid, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg.
Inter Miami will also be at the Club World Cup, having been chosen as the host club for the 32-team tournament, which is to be held in 11 cities across the US in June and July. The Herons, who are to face Al Ahly in the event’s opening game, have been placed in Group A with the Egyptians, as well as Palmeiras and Porto.
Will Neymar go to next World Cup?
Speaking to RMC Sport, Neymar also talked of his desire to go to the 2026 national-team World Cup with Brazil. “The World Cup is obviously every player’s goal,” he said. “I’ve already been to three World Cups, but I want to be at a fourth. I need to aim for that - work towards that as a medium-term goal after getting back to firing on all cylinders here with my club.”
Neymar, who has scored 79 goals in 128 caps for Brazil, was part of the Seleção squad at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
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