"We have to analyze what the league offers" - Tata Martino gives honest admission on Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi reunion at Inter Miami
Inter Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has shared his opinion about Neymar Jr potentially joining Lionel Messi at the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. Notably, Messi has been reunited with former Barcelona teammates, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez at the club.
Neymar has splurged on a new waterfront property in Miami, spending £20 million to get a plot in the Bal Harbor area (via Mirror). This has raised rumors about the Al-Hilal superstar potentially playing with Messi at Fort Lauderdale.
However, Martino has downplayed these rumors. Speaking ahead of the Herons' upcoming MLS Playoff clash against Atlanta United on November 2 (EST), he said (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.
"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."
The manager continued, mocking the rumors:
"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."
In the summer of 2023, Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr made the decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). While the Argentine playmaker opted for a move to Inter Miami in the MLS, his Brazilian counterpart moved to Saudi Arabia to play for Al-Hilal.
Lionel Messi doubtful that Neymar Jr will join him at Inter Miami
Lionel Messi is doubtful that former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar Jr will join him at Inter Miami. The World Cup winner had a conversation with Infobae earlier this year, when he stated (via Mirror):
"The truth is that it is difficult now, he is in Saudi Arabia, and he has one more year left on his contract, it seems to me... Now it's difficult. Afterwards, I don't know, the truth is that life takes so many turns that anything can happen, but I don't think that today, no."
Neymar Jr has struggled with life in Saudi Arabia. He played just five games before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament, keeping him on the sidelines for over a year. Lionel Messi has enjoyed a better time outside Europe, having led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield in 2024.