Neymar has fueled speculation that he could be set to move to the MLS with a multi-million dollar Florida purchase.
The Brazilian star, who earlier this month made his first appearance for Al Hilal in over a year after recovering from surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, may soon be departing Saudi Arabia.
Neymar recently made his return from injury for Al HilalAFP
He only signed a two-year contract with the club when he made the move from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023, and is not expected to extend further at the end of the season.
Speculation has been rife for months that Neymar could join former teammate and friend Lionel Messi at Inter Miami to play out the remainder of his career.
This week, the 32-year-old reignited those rumours, by reportedly purchasing a piece of waterfront land in Miami for $26 million.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the vacant lot is located in the gated village of Bal Harbour, where Micky Arison, owner of the Miami Heat, also resides.
The purchase includes “approved plans for a 13,000-square-foot house” and according to a representative quoted by the WSJ, the buyer said “it’s exactly what I’m looking for”.
Earlier this year, Neymar talked up playing with Messi once more in Miami.
“Hopefully we can play together again. Leo is a great person, everyone knows him in football and I think he is very happy and if he is happy, I am too,” he told ESPN Argentina while at the Bahrain Grand Prix back in March.
Messi and Neymar won two La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues during their time together at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, when they were regarded as two of the best players in the world.
They later reunited at PSG for a couple of years, where they won Ligue 1 on consecutive occasions before signing lucrative deals with Inter Miami and Al Hilal.
Should Neymar make the switch to MLS, they will also reunite the feared attacking trio from their Barcelona days with striker Luis Suarez.
Neymar is said to have purchased property on Miami’s Bal HarbourGetty
Neymar made the purchase amid suggestion he could join Inter MiamiGetty
Bal Harbour is also home to Micky Arison, owner of the Miami HeatGetty
Messi has previously commented on the possibility of them all linking up again, revealing that they are still close.
“We talk often. [Neymar] speaks perfect Spanish. We talk often, we even have a group, the three of us, with Luis [Suarez] too,” he said back in June.
Two more ex-Barca stars, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are also playing in Miami, with the team currently chasing glory in the MLS Playoffs.
They are in a best-of-three series in the first round against Atlanta United, and won 2-1 in the first match at home, thanks to goals from Suarez and Alba.
A win away on Saturday night would see Inter Miami complete a clean sweep and move on to face either Orlando City or Charlotte FC in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Having already won the Supporters’ Shield this season, they are already amongst the favourites to win the MLS Cup.
Messi and Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters’ Shield this seasonAFP
And if Inter Miami do indeed add Neymar to their ranks, they would likely dominate even more next year.
