"If you’re Inter Miami, you want to avoid a disaster" - Pundit explains why a possible move for Lionel Messi's ex-teammate Neymar could backfire
Football pundit Sebastian Salazar has warned Inter Miami against signing Lionel Messi's former teammate, Neymar. He believes that the Brazilian will cost too much and bring little to the pitch in return.
Speaking on Futbol Americas, Salazar claimed Al Hilal were already looking to cut ties with the Brazilian due to his high wages and minimal return on the pitch due to his injury situation. He said (via InterMiami News):
"From an Inter Miami perspective, when you start doing the calculations on is this a guy you bring, he's such a big name and marketing is such a priority in MLS that maybe you can overlook this [Neymar's injury record] anyway.
"But look what Al-Hilal put into this project. $80m to $100m in salary, a jet, a house, this and that, and it's been a disaster for them. He's hardly played, and if you're Inter Miami, you want to avoid a disaster. It's a risk, but if he can find fitness and play like he did before and reunite him with Suarez and Messi, you have an incredible marketing tool and maybe something that looks good on the field as well."
According to Saudi outlet Action Ma3 Waleed (via Forbes), Al Hilal are looking to terminate Neymar's contract. He has been linked with a move to Inter Miami to play with Lionel Messi for the first time since 2017.
Inter Miami manager dismisses reports on Neymar joining Lionel Messi
Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino has dismissed reports of Neymar joining the club. He believes that the club will not be able to fit Lionel Messi's former teammate in their wage bill.
He said (via ESPN):
"With [Messi] and the boys already here, anything that can happen. What I can't imagine is if the league doesn't make the salary issue more flexible, how it would be carried out. After writing it or saying it in the media it's all good, nothing happens, it doesn't have any consequences, but what would the implementation be like? And the reality is that if there is something that the MLS has, it is that the rules are strict and can't be broken, unless the MLS decides to change."
Reports suggest Neymar has bought a house in Miami amid Inter Miami links. The Brazilian has also been linked with Sao Paulo, his former club, and their vice-president has confirmed that they are in direct talks with the Al Hilal star.