Neymar to MLS? FC Cincinnati Gauges Interest in Brazilian Superstar

The landscape of Major League Soccer could be facing another seismic shift. FC Cincinnati has begun exploring options to bring Neymar to the United States, marking the latest attempt by the league to attract a global soccer icon to its ranks.

According to sources, the Ohio-based club has initiated contact with representatives for the 34-year-old Brazilian star to gauge his interest and open preliminary discussions regarding a potential move. While the talks are in the very early stages, the inquiry focuses on the financial framework and the transition requirements necessary to facilitate a signing of this magnitude.

For those following the trend of aging superstars migrating to the U.S., this move would follow the blueprint set by icons like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. However, unlike previous high-profile arrivals, the path for Neymar involves a complex web of contract obligations, recovery from injury and the looming shadow of the 2026 World Cup.

The Ambition of FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati is not merely casting a wide net; the club is actively positioning itself as a premier destination for both global names, and U.S. National team stars. This strategy is not new. The club has previously explored deals for USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie and forward Josh Sargent.

Club leadership believes that their growing financial power and new facilities provide a compelling pitch for a player of Neymar’s caliber. By targeting a figure like Neymar, Cincinnati aims to elevate its brand on a global scale while significantly boosting the competitive profile of the MLS.

Yet, not everyone is convinced that the move is a win. Some analysts, including ESPN’s Ale Moreno, have suggested that the league should avoid the “headache” that often accompanies a signing of Neymar’s profile, hinting at the off-field complexities that have followed the star throughout his career in Europe and Saudi Arabia.

The Santos Connection and Contractual Hurdles

Neymar is currently playing for his boyhood club, Santos, where he returned after leaving Al Hilal in 2025. While the Chicago Fire reportedly engaged in serious negotiations with Neymar during that 2025 transition, he ultimately chose a short-term deal with Santos, which he extended for another year last December.

He remains under contract with Santos through the end of 2026. This contractual tie means any immediate move would likely require a complex transfer agreement or a wait until his deal expires.

His impact at Santos has been tangible, if sporadic. At the end of 2025, Neymar helped steer the team away from relegation, recording 11 goals and four assists in just over 2,000 minutes of play. In 2026, his contributions have been limited by health issues. Depending on the metric, he has recorded three goals and between two and three assists across his first few appearances of the year.

The Road to the 2026 World Cup

The most significant obstacle to a move to Cincinnati is the calendar. Any final decision regarding Neymar’s future is expected to be deferred until after the 2026 World Cup in June.

Neymar’s relationship with the Brazil national team has been strained recently. He has not been called up to represent the five-time World Cup champions since October 2023. During the most recent international break in March, Brazil lost 2-1 to France in a friendly before defeating Croatia 3-1. Neymar was notably absent from those squads.

The Brazilian star has expressed his frustration over the snub. “Obviously I’m upset and sad not to have been selected,” Neymar stated during a broadcast of Kings League Brazil. He emphasized that his focus remains on training and match performance to achieve his goal of returning to the national side.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has maintained that Neymar remains in the conversation for the World Cup roster, provided he is fully fit. This fitness remains the primary question mark.

Injury Concerns and Recovery

Neymar has spent the last two weeks absent from the Santos squad due to a knee injury. This setback has limited his playing time in 2026, making the quest for match fitness a race against the clock.

However, Santos coach Cuca provided a glimmer of hope on Tuesday, stating that Neymar underwent a knee procedure during the international break. The goal of the procedure is to ensure the player is “raring to go” leading up to the World Cup in June.

For FC Cincinnati, the risk is clear: they are courting a player whose availability has been inconsistent. But for a club with the ambition to become a global hub for soccer, the potential reward of having Neymar in the lineup outweighs the medical risks.

As the soccer world looks toward the summer, the narrative surrounding Neymar will be split between his attempts to reclaim his spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad and FC Cincinnati’s patience in waiting for the right moment to strike. If the pieces fit, the “Queen City” could soon become the home of one of the most talented players to ever touch a football.

The next major checkpoint for this saga will be the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in June, which will likely determine Neymar’s fitness level and his appetite for a final major chapter in the United States.

Do you think Neymar is the right fit for MLS and FC Cincinnati? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.