FC Cincinnati attempting to lure Neymar to MLS

FC Cincinnati has initiated preliminary discussions with representatives of Brazilian superstar Neymar regarding a potential move to the MLS.

The club is gauging the 34-year-old forward’s interest and the financial requirements for what would be a high-profile signing, though ESPN reports that talks remain in their earliest stages and internal evaluations are ongoing.

Neymar, who returned to his boyhood club Santos after a stint with Al-Hilal, is under contract through the end of 2026 following a recent extension.

Limited to a handful of appearances this season due to a knee injury that required a procedure, he has contributed three goals and assists while aiming to prove his fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated Neymar could feature if fully fit, despite his absence from recent national team call-ups.

The Ohio-based side, currently sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference, views itself as an attractive destination for global talent, bolstered by strong finances and modern facilities.

Any final decision on Neymar’s future is likely to wait until after the World Cup. Should the move materialize, it would align with MLS’s strategy of securing star power to boost visibility ahead of upcoming media rights negotiations.