Neymar in talks with MLS club over potential transfer

Brazilian star Neymar has held talks with MLS team FC Cincinnati, discussing the possibility of a move to the Eastern Conference side. The Athletic reports that the conversations are still at a preliminary stage, with the club aiming to get the player’s view on a potential move.

This is not the first time that Neymar has been linked with a move to MLS. After leaving Al Hilal in 2025 he was in talks with Chicago Fire, but ultimately made the move to Brazil to rejoin boyhood team Santos. In recent years Inter Miami has been mooted as a potential landing spot for Neymar, giving him the chance to play alongside former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi for a third time.

Cincinnati is not the most glamourous of MLS destinations but the ambitious young team has found success in recent years. Cincy clinched the 2023 Supporters’ Shield - awarded to the team with the most regular-season points - and finished second in the standings again in 2025. Now in its eighth season in the league, Cincinnati has not yet brought in a true global superstar. Neymar would undoubtedly help to elevate the club, both on and off the field, but the logistics of a transfer for one of soccer’s most famous faces will not be easy.

How much does Neymar earn? Salary, contract details

Throughout his career, Neymar’s incredible talent has convinced clubs to part with enormous sums to secure his services. In 2017 he smashed the world transfer record with a €222M fee to move from Barcelona to PSG, a record that still stands nine years on.

When Neymar left Paris, Saudi side Al Hilal agreed to pay him €150M per year in wages in addition to a €90M transfer fee. Neymar’s current deal at Santos is not at the same level but the Brazilian side offered him a unique profit-sharing deal to help boost his wages. ESPN reports that Santos agreed to give Neymar at least $15 million from any new sponsorship contracts agreed after his return.

If he does make the move to Cincinnati Neymar will almost certainly be among the highest earners in the MLS, potentially behind only Lionel Messi. However the picture is complicated by the league’s tight financial restrictions which limit teams to three high-earning ‘Designated Players’. Cincy already have three - Kevin Denkey, Evander, Miles Robinson - and so would need to move one of them on before bringing in Neymar.

Cincinnati have made a slow start to the 2026 MLS season, losing four of their first six games. Under head coach Pat Noonan Cincy have been one of the league’s most consistent teams in recent years and they are expected to challenge at the top again this season.

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