Neymar in Talks with FC Cincinnati Over Potential MLS Move
Brazilian star Neymar is the subject of preliminary talks with MLS side FC Cincinnati, according to a report from The Athletic. The 34-year-old, currently at Santos, is reportedly exploring a move to the North American league, with the 2026 World Cup a key factor in his considerations. The discussions are in the early stages, with the player's camp and the club gauging the feasibility of a move, though no formal offer is on the table. The potential transfer would likely occur as a free transfer at the end of the 2026 Brazilian season or as a move in the summer transfer window, depending on the outcome of negotiations and the player's World Cup ambitions.
Neymar's career has seen him at the pinnacle of European football with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, followed by a lucrative but injury-plagued stint at Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He returned to his boyhood club Santos in 2025, helping them avoid relegation last season. His current focus is on securing a place in Brazil's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A move to MLS, particularly ahead of the tournament, could be a strategic play to remain in the spotlight and prove his fitness and form to national team manager Carlo Ancelotti.
For FC Cincinnati, the move represents a significant statement of ambition. The club, which won the Supporters' Shield in 2023, has shown a willingness to spend on marquee signings, having broken its transfer record for Togolese forward Kevin Denkey in 2025. The club is owned by the Lindner family, local billionaires who have invested heavily in the club's infrastructure, including the 26,000-seat TQL Stadium. However, the team has made a poor start to the current MLS season, and a major signing of Neymar's global stature would be a monumental coup, instantly raising the club's profile on and off the pitch. The club currently has no open Designated Player slots, meaning a significant roster move would be required to accommodate a new star.
The potential move is not without its sporting and logistical hurdles. Neymar, who will be 35 in 2026, has a significant injury history, and his high salary demands would make him one of the highest-paid players in the league. Furthermore, Cincinnati is not a traditional destination for global superstars, having previously missed out on targets like Weston McKennie and Thomas Müller. The club would also need to resolve the future of one of its current Designated Players, with Kevin Denkey potentially making a return to Europe, to free up the necessary roster and financial flexibility.
From a league-wide perspective, Neymar's arrival would be a major coup for MLS, continuing the momentum generated by Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami. The league is actively seeking to boost its profile ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the renegotiation of its broadcast rights deal with Apple TV, which expires after the 2028 season. Securing a global icon like Neymar, even in the twilight of his career, aligns with the strategy of bringing in global superstars to increase the league's international appeal and commercial value.
While the talks are in a nascent stage and could easily collapse, they signal a bold intent from FC Cincinnati. For Neymar, a successful spell in MLS could be the perfect platform to showcase his enduring talent on the world's biggest stage ahead of a home World Cup, while for Cincinnati and MLS, it would represent a landmark signing in the league's history.
