Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Neymar, MLS, David Beckham, Lionel Messi
Luke Davies
Neymar is reportedly refusing to move to the MLS after an outrageous ‘contract demand’ has emerged.
Neymar, 32, is currently in the final year of his contract at Al-Hilal, with his deal set to expire in June 2025.
On Wednesday, ESPN reported that the player was in “preliminary talks” with three MLS clubs – namely Chicago Fire according to “sources”.
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David Beckham-owned Inter Miami are not thought to be among the trio of clubs ‘interested’ in signing the former PSG star with Herons’ manager and former teammate of Neymar, Javier Mascherano, recently explaining how a potential deal would be “impossible”.
“We cannot talk about Ney because we have nothing," Mascherano admitted at a MLS media day in Miami.
"Obviously Ney is a great player. Every coach in the world wants him but at the moment, but you know the MLS rules around the salary cap. So for us in this moment, it's impossible to try to think about him."
So, unfortunately we are unlikely to see the Brazilian reunite with Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in Miami.
But Messi could be part of the reason why Neymar is 'refusing' to move to the US.
French outlet L'Equipe explains how Chicago Fire representatives have been in Europe over the past week, and they are 'willing' to offer the forward a similar contract to that of Messi, who earns $230,763 (£189,000) according to Capology.
However, Neymar's father reportedly wants his son to earn more than Messi if he were to move to the MLS.
According to beIN sports, Neymar currently pockets $107m per year (£90m) from football and significantly more through various partnerships with brands such as Puma.
So he will likely take a huge pay cut if he were to switch from Saudi Arabia to the States.
Fans previously dubbed Neymar's move from Barcelona to PSG as a way of becoming the main player in a team and stepping out of Messi's shadow given the fact he was Barca's star man during his time at the club.
Ironically, Messi joined Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris in 2021.
And despite the supposed 'rivalry' between the players Neymar revealed how Messi "gave him love" during a dark time for the forward.
"It's a story I tell everyone," he said in an interview with Globo Esporte in 2019.
"At the time when I needed the most support, the man on the team, the best in the world, came and gave me love.
"He talked to me and said, 'Come here, you must be yourself, you must be happy and the same as in Santos. Do not be shy, do not be afraid of me or anyone in this club. We are here to help you.'"
The MLS season will get underway on Saturday 22 February with Miami set to face New York City at the Chase Stadium in the season's opener.