Neymar could be departing Saudi Arabia this summer as his contract with Al Hilal ends and making a move to the United States. Reports from ESPN, GiveMeSport and FootMercato say that a Neymar Chicago Fire move is being discussed.
Fans have believed that Inter Miami would be Neymar’s next destination to reunite with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Neymar himself hinted at this move during an interview with CNN this month.
"Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible. They are my friends, we still speak to each other," Neymar told CNN.
In a shocking twist the Chicago Fire, led by former United States men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter, appear to be leading the charge for the Brazilian’s coveted signature.
Neymar Chicago Fire talks
Brazil superstar and Al Hilal attacker Neymar is in preliminary talks with three MLS sides, including Chicago Fire FC, over a proposed move, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/6XHQq0bD2q
— ESPN (@espn) January 16, 2025
EXCL: #SPL |
❗️❗️ Chicago Fire have opened talks to sign Neymar this winter➡️ Talks ongoing with Al-Hilal for a permanent deal
✍️ Americans offer two-year contract contract to the Brazilian
Not an easy dealhttps://t.co/ALqUlAdm9r pic.twitter.com/Aul55bJft2
— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) January 15, 2025
It’s unclear which other MLS clubs are having talks with Neymar as the Chicago Fire are the only ones to be named.
While it would be incredible to see Neymar reunited with Messi and company, new Herons head coach Javier Mascherano said that the MLS salary rules have made it “impossible” to acquire the Brazilian.
"Obviously Neymar is a great player. Every coach in the world wants him but at the moment, but you know the MLS rules around the salary cap. So for us in this moment, it's impossible to try to think about him," Mascherano said at MLS media day earlier this month.
If Neymar leaves Al Hilal this summer, it will end undoubtedly the most forgettable chapter of the 32-year-old’s career.
Al Hilal paid Paris Saint-Germain $97.6 million for Neymar in the summer of 2023. The club then paid Neymar an annual salary of around $100 million.
In return they got seven appearances and one goal from Neymar since his signing. An ACL injury while on international duty with Brazil in October 2023 saw him miss an entire year.
His return in October 2024 was short-lived as he made two substitute appearances this season before suffering a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for nearly three months.