Neymar linked with shock MLS move to FC Cincinnati
Brazilian superstar Neymar is the subject of preliminary discussions over a potential move to Major League Soccer's FC Cincinnati, according to a report from The Athletic. The 32-year-old forward, currently under contract with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal until December 2026, has reportedly shown interest in a future MLS switch, with the Ohio club now exploring the feasibility of a deal.
The talks are described as being in their very early stages, with significant obstacles to overcome. FC Cincinnati currently lacks a designated player slot, a mechanism in MLS that allows clubs to sign up to three players whose salaries exceed the league's maximum budget charge. To accommodate a star of Neymar's profile and expected wage demands, the club would need to create an opening, potentially by moving on a current designated player.
One candidate for such a move, according to the report, could be Togolese striker Kevin Denkey, who was signed from Cercle Brugge for a club-record fee reported to be around 17 million euros in 2024. Neymar’s potential arrival would represent a seismic shift in the profile of FC Cincinnati, a club that has risen rapidly since its MLS debut in 2019, winning the Supporters' Shield in 2023.
For Neymar, a move to the United States could offer a new challenge and a high-profile platform as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian has previously expressed a desire to play in that tournament, though his international future remains uncertain after a serious knee injury suffered in 2023. His time at Al Hilal has been marred by that injury, limiting him to just five appearances since his blockbuster transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
The financial and structural complexities of any transfer are considerable. MLS operates under a strict salary budget, and while designated player rules provide flexibility, orchestrating a deal for one of the world's highest-paid athletes would require meticulous planning from Cincinnati's ownership group. Furthermore, any agreement would likely need the cooperation of Al Hilal, who signed Neymar to a lucrative two-year contract.
If successful, the transfer would instantly become one of the most significant in MLS history, following in the footsteps of other global icons like Lionel Messi. It would signal FC Cincinnati's ambition to compete not just domestically but on the global stage for marketability and attention. For the league, securing a player of Neymar's fame at a relatively young age would mark another major step in its growth and attract unprecedented focus on the 2026 World Cup host nation.
