Neymar set to join Messi as Inter Miami recreate Barcelona Dream Team

Robin Bairner

9 Jan 2025 05:20 CST
2 min read

Neymar, Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Neymar is set for an exciting third reunion with Lionel Messi, with Inter Miami having cleared the room on their payroll to attract the Brazil international star to MLS.

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Neymar, 32, is out of contract with Al-Hilal in June and following a difficult spell with the Saudi Pro League side is widely expected to move on for a new challenge.

The ex-Barcelona star joined the Saudi side from PSG in the summer of 2023 in a deal worth €90 million, yet he has barely played for the club following a serious knee injury that he took longer than expected to return from.

STATS

Neymar

F (L), M, AMC

Al-Hilal

Neymar

F (L), M, AMC

Al-Hilal

2

Games
0

Goals
0

Assists

Rumours have swirled that Al-Hilal were unimpressed with Neymar’s attitude towards his rehabilitation work, and with the star’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) having fallen to just €11m, it appears likely that he will move on.

A hook up with Messi’s Inter Miami is one strong possibility that has been suggested for a player whose career has been decimated by a series of physical problems.

UOL reports that the deal is set to be accelerated with the news that David Beckham’s MLS franchise has overcome the financial issues that were blocking Neymar from joining them.

READ MORE: Neymar drops HUGE transfer hint

Inter Miami clear the way for Neymar

Inter Miami are set to allow Leonardo Campana to leave for the New England Revolution this winter, opening up the prospect of a designated player spot in the roster.

MLS rules only permit franchises to pay three players whatever salary they choose. The others can only be paid $683,700 per year (€620,000), which is approximately what top stars will make in a couple of weeks.

Messi and Sergio Busquets hold two of these three spots and with Campana set to leave, that opens the door for Neymar to occupy the third.

Luis Suarez, who formed the famous MSN attacking trio with Messi and Neymar at Camp Nou, is also at Inter Miami but is not a designated player, meaning he is on a basic wage at the club.

Neymar is currently paid $164m (€160m) per year with Al-Hilal, making him the third-highest paid-player in the game behind Ballon d’Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, who play for Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad respectively.