MSN Trio: Messi and Suárez await Neymar reunion in MLS
Speculation is growing that Neymar could soon join Inter Miami, where his two former teammates are already rewriting MLS history.
Weighing the possibilities
According to GOAL, former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel believes Inter Miami could “limit the risks” if they manage to lure Neymar to Florida.
The Brazilian forward will be a free agent at the end of the year as his contract with Santos expires, opening the door for a possible MLS move.
Neymar, now 33, has faced recurring fitness problems since leaving Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia earlier this year. Yet he remains determined to represent Brazil at next summer’s World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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With European clubs showing little interest, Neymar’s future reportedly narrows to two options, extending his stay at Santos or joining Messi and Suárez in Miami.
Pros and pitfalls
Friedel noted that Miami’s upcoming designated player slots could make space for another global star once Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retireat the end of the season. But he warned that signing Neymar would carry risks both sporting and financial.
“It depends on how you would structure the contract,” Friedel told GOAL. “When you sign legends like Neymar, you have to consider both the sporting and commercial sides. You’ll earn a lot off the field, but his age and injury record make it a gamble.”
He added that MLS’s lower intensity might work in Neymar’s favor: “It’s a league that allows players like Messi to extend their careers. If the contract is structured right, it limits the risk.”
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The commercial angle
Beyond the pitch, Friedel stressed that big-name signings are vital to MLS’s long-term viability. “The TV contract needs to be bigger within the MLS to make sure the league can be profitable,” he said, citing Thomas Müller’s move to Vancouver as an example of how star power can influence visibility.
According to the former Premier League keeper, bringing in Neymar could be another step in the right direction for the league as it continues to chase global recognition.
MSN dreams again
Neymar himself has admitted back in January 2025, that reuniting with Messi and Suárez would be incredible. Speaking to CNN Sport, he said: “They are my friends. We still speak to each other. It would be interesting to revive this trio. I’m happy in Saudi Arabia, but football is full of surprises.”
The Brazilian forward explained that a move to MLS wasn’t possible when he left Paris Saint-Germain because the transfer window was closed in the United States. Instead, he joined Al-Hilal, citing the Saudi club’s good project for him and his family.
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End of an era
While Neymar remains open to the idea, Friedel expressed doubt about Suárez’s ability to continue beyond this season. The Uruguayan striker, now 38, has openly battled with knee and ankle pain. “When you watch him run, it’s getting to the end for him,” Friedel said. “I don’t know if he can do another year even if he wants to.”
Suárez had once hoped to retire alongside Messi, but with the Argentine committing to Inter Miami until 2028, that plan may be fading.
For now, Miami’s focus remains on their playoff run and a possible MLS Cup, but the whispers of an MSN revival refuse to die down.
Sources: GOAL, CNN Sport
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