"Have an unlimited budget" - Inter Miami owner insists he'd love to reunite Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr if latter is available for transfer
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas recently accepted that he would love to reunite Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. at the club if the latter becomes available. The Brazilian superstar is currently with Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, with his contract set to expire in June 2025.
Lionel Messi's partnership with Neymar started at the Camp Nou, with a second chapter in Paris. The Argentine and Brazilian played together in 206 games for Barcelona (2013-2017) and Paris Saint-Germain (2021-2023), recording 67 joint-goal participations.
At Barcelona, the two became part of one of the greatest attacking trios in football with Luis Suarez, widely referred to as MSN (Messi, Suarez, Neymar). They are best remembered for leading the Catalan side to the continental treble in 2014-15. If the Brazil international signs for Inter Miami, he will be the only player to have played with Lionel Messi at three different clubs.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas indicated that the Herons were open to signing Neymar Jr., saying (via Football Transfers):
"The key word is if he were to become available. He [Neymar] is an Al-Hilal player now. He's not available to us. I have always said we aspire to bring great players to our team. We have a lot of roster limitations and restrictions, but we have an unlimited budget."
He added:
“We are aspirational. If there is ever a chance to bring the caliber of a player like Neymar, we will not hesitate. It doesn't depend only on me. It depends on the player and the league. But yes, we aspire to build a great roster here.”
Neymar is often considered one of the best players of this generation. However, the Brazilian icon could never reach his full potential due to multiple injuries. The former Barcelona star remained on the sidelines for a year from October 2023 to October 2024 due to an ACL injury. Upon his return to the pitch for Al-Hilal, he once again sustained a hamstring injury.
"It's difficult now" - When Lionel Messi made feelings clear about reuniting with Neymar Jr. at Inter Miami
In a June 2024 interview with journalist Pollo Alvarez, Lionel Messi shared his thoughts on reuniting with Neymar Jr. at Inter Miami. The Argentine legend said:
"No, I don't know. The truth is, it's difficult now. He's in Saudi Arabia, and I think he has a year left on his contract. He had a tough year, where he was injured for a long time. So, it's difficult now. After that, I don't know. Life takes so many turns that anything can happen, but I think, for now, no."
At the time of Lionel Messi's statements, Neymar was still recovering from his ACL injury. While the Brazilian's arrival at Inter Miami could revolutionize the squad, it depends on whether and when he can regain his full fitness.