Neymar to Inter Miami? Mascherano Says It's 'Impossible' Due to MLS Regulations

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has ruled out signing Neymar due to MLS salary rules, despite the Brazilian's interest in joining the team.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has expressed his desire to bring in new players to support Lionel Messi in Major League Soccer next season. However, he has ruled out the possibility of signing Brazilian superstar Neymar, citing MLS's salary and squad rules as a major obstacle. Mascherano believes it is “impossible to think about” Neymar joining the team.

Recent rumors have linked Neymar with a move to Miami, potentially reuniting him with Messi and Luis Suarez to recreate the iconic 'MSN' Barcelona front line. 

Neymar's comments hinted at a possible interest in joining Messi in Miami. “It would be interesting to revive this trio. I’m happy at Al-Hilal, I'm happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows. Football is full of surprises,” he added. However, Mascherano's assessment of the situation suggests that any potential move for Neymar is unlikely due to MLS's salary and squad restrictions.

Under MLS rules, Miami would need to sign Neymar as a 'Designated Player' to accommodate his salary demands. However, the team's current roster and salary cap situation make it difficult to facilitate such a move. As a result, Mascherano has been forced to explore other options to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.

Neymar, currently contracted to Saudi club Al-Hilal, recently addressed rumors about a potential move to Inter Miami. In an interview, he expressed his enthusiasm about the possibility of reuniting with former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. “Obviously, playing again with Messi and Suarez would be incredible. They are my friends, we still speak to each other,” Neymar said, according to CNN. “It would be interesting to revive this trio. I’m happy at Al-Hilal, I'm happy in Saudi Arabia, but who knows. Football is full of surprises.”

However, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has downplayed the possibility of signing Neymar due to Major League Soccer's (MLS) salary and squad rules. Mascherano acknowledged Neymar's exceptional talent but emphasized that the club's current situation makes it impossible to consider signing him. “Obviously, Ney is a great player. Every team in the world wants him. But, at this moment, you know the MLS salary rules. So, for us, it's impossible to think about him right now,” Mascherano explained.

At an MLS media event in Miami, Luis Suarez, Neymar's former teammate, was also asked about the potential arrival of the Brazilian star. Suarez praised Neymar's exceptional quality and the excitement of potentially playing together again. “Well, obviously everyone knows what Neymar is as a player, what we generated when we were together. Today we are in a different era, much older than we were at the time, but you are always excited to have a player like him and for the quality he can bring to the team,” Suarez said. He also acknowledged the challenges of making such a move a reality, stating, “Afterwards, as he said and as everyone will say, anything can happen in football, but, well, they are expectations and hopes... but it is difficult and very complicated to make them come true.”

While speculation about Neymar's potential move to Miami continues, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has more immediate concerns. Mascherano is focused on strengthening his squad, particularly the back line, after several defenders departed since his arrival in late November.

"Every coach in the world wants him, but for us it's impossible" 💭

Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami head coach, reacts to reports linking Neymar to the club 🤔 pic.twitter.com/piXXrl8rMa

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 10, 2025

Mascherano acknowledged the need for reinforcements in the defense, stating, “We are working on that, we are working on that.” He explained that the team has experienced significant changes in the back line, citing “several departures due to loans that have ended, due to some sales, due to people that we have not been able to renew.” Mascherano expressed optimism about addressing these gaps, saying, “We are trying to finalise some additions.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Mascherano expressed confidence that the team will be able to secure the necessary reinforcements. “I have faith and I'm almost certain that in the next few days some of the reinforcements we have asked for will be finalised,” he said. Once these additions are confirmed, Mascherano plans to focus on shaping the squad in preparation for the preseason.