FC Cincinnati is negotiating to sign Neymar: Ambition to elevate the status of the MLS league.
Following their unsuccessful attempt to sign Thomas Muller, FC Cincinnati are now targeting Neymar as a blockbuster option, even though the Brazilian superstar is still struggling with injuries.
After returning to Brazil to play for his childhood club Santos, superstar Neymar's future has once again become the focus of the international transfer market. According to reports from The Athletic, Major League Soccer (MLS) club FC Cincinnati has officially made initial contact with the 1992-born star's representatives to discuss a potential transfer.
FC Cincinnati's brand enhancement strategy
Although negotiations are still in their early stages, this news has created a huge stir among football fans. FC Cincinnati has long made no secret of its ambition to acquire a world-class star to elevate the team's status in North America. Previously, the Ohio club failed in its attempt to sign striker Thomas Muller when the German star decided to join Vancouver Whitecaps. Approaching Neymar confirms the club's management's determination to bring a true football icon to TQL Stadium.
Barriers from MLS salary structure and regulations.
However, to realize their ambition of bringing the 34-year-old superstar to the US, Cincinnati faces significant administrative challenges. Currently, the team has already filled three "Designated Player" slots – a group of players whose salaries exceed the league's stipulated limit – with Evander, Kevin Denkey, and Miles Robertson. To make way for Neymar, Cincinnati must undertake a major squad overhaul to ensure compliance with MLS's strict financial structure.
Questions remain about the fitness and stamina of 'Little Pele'.
From a professional standpoint, while Neymar has continued to demonstrate his class with 3 goals and 3 assists in 6 matches for Santos this season, his fitness remains a major concern. Since returning to Brazil in early 2025, the striker has been sidelined for 30 matches due to various injuries. The fact that coach Carlo Ancelotti did not call him up to the Brazilian national team for the upcoming World Cup is clear evidence of his declining physical condition and peak performance.
The harsh challenges of the American soccer environment.
MLS is notoriously a physically demanding football environment with a packed schedule and long intercontinental flights. The difficulties James Rodriguez is currently facing at Minnesota United demonstrate that older stars often struggle with the intensity of the competition. For a player with a history of frequent injuries like Neymar, joining MLS is seen as a risky gamble for both himself and his current club.
Nevertheless, the commercial appeal of the Neymar name is undeniable. With Antoine Griezmann about to join Orlando City, Neymar's arrival (if it happens) would be a crucial boost to the MLS brand value in the coming years. The question now is whether Neymar will choose a new challenge in the US or continue to enjoy the final years of his career in his hometown of Santos.
