Lionel Messi's Inter Miami suffer transfer blow as Neymar holds talks with another club
A possible reunion between Lionel Messi and Neymar at Inter Miami seems to have suffered a major setback. According to a report by Jovem Pan Radio (via Tribal Football), Neymar is set for a return to Santos and has been in talks with his boyhood club.
The Al-Hilal forward had been recently linked with a move to Inter Miami which could see him reunite with Messi. Neymar joined the Saudi Arabia outfit in 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). However, after just five games, an anterior cruciate ligament injury ruled him out of the season.
The Brazilian superstar has recovered and returned to the pitch in Al-Hilal’s AFC Champions League Elite 5-4 win against Al-Ain on October 21. Neymar’s contract is set to expire next summer. Considering his injury issues, Al-Hilal might be reluctant to offer him a contract extension.
This situation gave rise to rumors of a move to the MLS to join former teammates Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami. However, the 32-year-old could head back to Brazil after his contract with Al-Hilal expires.
Santos’ vice president Osvaldo Nico recently disclosed that the club has been talking to Neymar about a possible return.
“Neymar will return to Santos in June. We are in direct contact with him," Nico said, as per the aformentioned report.
Neymar left Santos in 2013 to join Barcelona. At the Spanish club, he transformed into one of the best players, playing alongside Lionel Messi. The duo, along with Suarez, formed the deadly ‘MSN’ attacking partnership that scored a joint 364 goals and led the club to a treble in 2015.
Neymar and Lionel Messi also shared the dressing room at PSG before joining Al-Hilal and Inter Miami, respectively, in 2023.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino on Neymar and Lionel Messi reunion
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino recently shared his thoughts about Neymar potentially moving to the MLS to play alongside Lionel Messi. Rumors of a move to Inter Miami resurfaced after the Brazilian star reportedly purchased a property in Miami.
However, Martino downplayed the rumors, saying (via Tribal Football):
"The thing is that we are throwing names around for the sake of it. You can't talk so easily and freely about footballers who might or might not come. I think that when we talk about this, we need another kind of support."
He continued:
"We can't talk and mention a player just because he bought a house or because he started dating a girl from Fort Lauderdale. It would be nonsense. First, we have to analyze what the league offers and if this is really possible. Based on that, today this is impossible, so there is no more continuity in the conversation."
"If all those who buy a house are going to come and play for Inter, we are in trouble, so they should close the real estate agency. I arrived at Barcelona at the same time as Ney, it was a good year and for me being able to manage players of such high standing will be a special memory, but nothing more than that," the Inter Miami manager concluded.
The 61-year-old Argentine manager managed Neymar and Lionel Messi during his stint as Barcelona manager in the 2013-14 season.