Neymar to MLS? FC Cincinnati Reportedly In Preliminary Talks With Brazilian Star
#Neymar#FC Cincinnati#MLS transfer#Designated Player#Santos#Brazil World Cup#The Athletic#preliminary talks
📌 Key Takeaways
FC Cincinnati has held preliminary talks with Neymar about an MLS move.
The club is assessing the feasibility and impact of signing the global star.
A major obstacle is that all three Designated Player slots are currently filled.
Neymar's primary focus is securing a spot in Brazil's World Cup squad.
This revives MLS speculation after a near-move to Chicago Fire in 2025.
📖 Full Retelling
Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati has initiated preliminary discussions with Brazilian superstar Neymar regarding a potential transfer from Santos, according to a report from The Athletic. The American club is currently evaluating the feasibility and strategic fit of acquiring the global football icon, who remains under contract with his boyhood Brazilian club until the conclusion of the 2026 season. This exploration marks a renewed effort to bring Neymar to MLS, reigniting speculation after a similar move nearly materialized with the Chicago Fire in 2025 before he opted to return to Santos.
The report indicates that while talks are in the very early stages, Cincinnati's leadership is seriously contemplating the monumental impact of signing a player of Neymar's stature. The club has recently demonstrated ambition in the international transfer market, having secured the signature of former Belgian league top scorer Kevin Denkey for a reported $16 million in 2025 and engaging in talks for other notable players like Weston McKennie and Josh Sargent. A move for Neymar would represent a seismic shift in the club's profile and ambition, potentially elevating its status both domestically and globally.
However, significant logistical hurdles stand in the way of any potential deal. FC Cincinnati currently has all three of its Designated Player slots occupied by long-term contracts with Evander, Kevin Denkey, and Miles Robinson. Under current MLS roster rules, this presents a major complication, as Neymar would almost certainly command a Designated Player salary. The Athletic noted that European clubs showed interest in Denkey last offseason, suggesting a potential sale could open a necessary roster spot, but such a move is not guaranteed. Furthermore, any agreement would require Neymar to accept a contract structured within the complex framework of MLS salary regulations, a potential sticking point for a player of his earning history.
For Neymar, the primary motivation remains securing a spot in the Brazilian national team squad for the upcoming World Cup. His recent omission from the Seleção's March friendlies underscores the competitive nature of his international aspirations. A high-profile move to a visible league like MLS could be seen as a platform to maintain his form and relevance ahead of the global tournament. The outcome of these preliminary talks will hinge on Cincinnati's ability to navigate its roster constraints and Neymar's assessment of how a stateside move aligns with his sporting and career objectives.
🏷️ Themes
Football Transfers, MLS Expansion, Player Career Moves
The Designated Player Rule, nicknamed the Beckham Rule, allows Major League Soccer franchises to sign up to three players that would be considered outside their salary cap (either by offering the player higher wages or by paying a transfer fee for the player). The rule, which was adopted ahead of th...
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [nejˈmaʁ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ ˈsɐ̃tuz ˈʒuni.oʁ] ; born 5 February 1992), simply known as Neymar Júnior (shortened to Neymar Jr) or mononymously as Neymar, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or a forward ...
American professional soccer club based in Cincinnati
Football Club Cincinnati is an American professional soccer club based in Cincinnati. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Eastern Conference. The team was first announced on August 12, 2015, as a United Soccer League (USL) franchise which played from 2016 to 2018.
This potential transfer signifies a massive escalation in FC Cincinnati's ambition and could be one of the most high-profile signings in MLS history. For the league, acquiring a global icon like Neymar would drive significant media attention and viewership, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching in North America. For Neymar, the move represents a strategic career decision to use a high-visibility platform to prove his fitness and value to the Brazilian national team setup.
Context & Background
Neymar returned to his boyhood club Santos in 2025 after a lucrative stint in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal and a career at European giants Barcelona and PSG.
MLS operates under a 'Designated Player' rule, which allows teams to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the salary cap, with only a portion counting against the budget.
FC Cincinnati has been aggressive in the transfer market recently, breaking their transfer record to sign Kevin Denkey and pursuing USMNT players like Weston McKennie.
Neymar was previously close to joining the Chicago Fire in 2025 before ultimately deciding to return to Brazil.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, putting a spotlight on soccer in the region and increasing the stakes for players based in MLS.
What Happens Next
FC Cincinnati will likely explore options to offload one of their current Designated Players, potentially Kevin Denkey who has drawn interest from Europe, to free up a roster spot. Negotiations will focus on structuring a contract that fits within MLS salary regulations while meeting Neymar's financial expectations. The club will also need to agree on a transfer fee with Santos before any deal can be finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is preventing FC Cincinnati from signing Neymar right now?
The club currently has all three of its Designated Player slots filled, meaning they must trade or sell a current high-earner to make room for Neymar's contract.
Why would Neymar consider moving to MLS now?
Neymar is focused on making Brazil's 2026 World Cup squad and views a move to a visible league like MLS as a way to maintain his relevance and match fitness.
Who is Neymar currently contracted to?
Neymar is currently under contract with his boyhood club, Santos, until the conclusion of the 2026 season.
How credible is this report?
The report originates from The Athletic, a highly respected sports publication known for accurate and well-sourced journalism regarding soccer transfers.
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Original Source
FC Cincinnati have entered preliminary discussions with Neymar around a move to Major League Soccer, according to the Athletic. The club is weighing whether a move for the Brazilian star makes sense, and has gauged his potential interest in such a switch. Neymar is under contract until the end of the 2026 season after penning a one-year extension with Santos. Another MLS pursuit? Neymar was close to an MLS move in 2025, when he was engaged in serious discussions with the Chicago Fire after leaving Al Hilal. However, he opted to pen a deal with Santos, his boyhood club, which he helped save from relegation. He penned a one-year deal with the Brazilian club that rather cooled rumors of an MLS switch before the World Cup. Talks back on? However, it seems that there could be movement again. Although reported talks are preliminary, Cincinnati are reportedly considering what a move for the highest profile Brazilian footballer in the world would look like. The logistical questions for FC Cincinnati There is a potential roadblock for Cincinnati in terms of their roster construction. Pat Noonan's side already has three Designated Spots filled, and all of them - Evander, Kevin Denkey, and Miles Robinson - are tied down on long-term contracts. Unless anything changes, Neymar would have to agree on a deal within MLS salary regulations. The Athletic reported that European clubs expressed interest in acquiring Denkey, whom Cincinnati signed in the winter of 2025, last offseason. Putting the club on the map Cincinnati have explored possible moves for European stars of late. Denkey was the top scorer in the Belgian League when they bought him for $16 million ahead of the 2025 season. The club was reportedly close to agreeing on a deal for Weston McKennie, and also engaged in talks with Josh Sargent. Neymar, for his part, is hoping to be a part of the Brazil squad at the upcoming World Cup. He was not selected for the Selecao's friendlies this March.
