Neymar’s Potential Move to Inter Miami Hits Roadblock Due to MLS Rules

Speculation surrounding Neymar‘s potential move to Inter Miami has been a topic of significant discussion in recent days, but the transfer faces significant hurdles due to Major League Soccer (MLS) rules. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino, who previously coached Neymar at Barcelona, has stated that a deal for the Brazilian star is currently “impossible” to negotiate because of MLS roster and salary restrictions.

Neymar, currently contracted with Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal until the summer of 2025, has been linked to Inter Miami following the club’s signings of his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. However, Martino emphasized that the strict MLS rules regarding salaries and roster composition make such a transfer highly unlikely without significant changes from the league.

ESPN FC‘s Herculez Gomez has also weighed in on the matter, suggesting that while Neymar’s addition would be a massive boost for Inter Miami and MLS, the financial and logistical challenges are substantial. Gomez argued that Inter Miami might not need Neymar immediately and suggested waiting until the summer of 2025 when Neymar’s contract with Al Hilal expires.

Meanwhile, Neymar is also dealing with eligibility issues in the Saudi Pro League. Due to his prolonged absence from the game following a serious knee injury, Neymar was not registered for Al Hilal’s 2024-25 season and will not be eligible to play in Saudi league games until the registration window reopens in January 2025.

The ongoing speculation and logistical challenges highlight the complexity of transferring high-profile players like Neymar, especially when navigating different league regulations and financial constraints.