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Neymar wants to play in Major League Soccer?
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Neymar wants to play in Major League Soccer?

The uncertain future of Paris Saint-Germain star forward Kylian Mbappe has been a significant talking point throughout world football since even before the start of the 2021-22 season, as he is set to be out of contract this summer, can sign a pre-contract agreement to join any team, and has repeatedly been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 

It appears a different Paris Saint-Germain big-name player is thinking about life away from the Parc des Princes. 

Per Adriana Garcia of ESPN, PSG and Brazil forward Neymar remarked in a recent podcast episode he wants to play in Major League Soccer at some point down the road. 

"I'd love to play in the U.S., actually. I'd love to play there at least for a season," the 30-year-old said about the North American top-flight. 

"First of all, their season is shorter, so I'd get three months' vacation," he added while joking that he could "play many more years" but also call time on his career when he's 32 years old. 

"But it's just a joke. I don't know," Neymar said of what's ahead. "Honestly, I will play until I'm mentally tired. If my mental health is ok and my body as well... Physically, I think I'll still last a few years. But my mental health is the most important thing. My contract with Paris will last until I'm 34. So I'll be playing [at least] until then."

International superstars such as Pele, Neymar's childhood idol, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, and Andrea Pirlo are among the massive names who spent time playing in the U.S. for one reason or another. Neymar would unquestionably bring box-office appeal to MLS even if he was in the twilight of his career by the time he signed with an American club. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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