FC Cincinnati Pursuing Brazil Star Neymar

MLS club in early talks with veteran forward about potential move

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:34am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting a soccer player's movements and actions, broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of orange and blue.A cubist interpretation of Neymar's potential move to MLS club FC Cincinnati, deconstructing the Brazilian star's skills and impact.Cincinnati Today

FC Cincinnati, currently in 10th place in the MLS Eastern Conference, are reportedly in preliminary discussions with Brazil star Neymar about a possible transfer to the Ohio club. The 34-year-old forward, who is currently playing for Santos in Brazil's top league, has an expiring contract at the end of 2026 and is said to be interested in a move to MLS.

Why it matters

Signing a global superstar like Neymar would be a major coup for FC Cincinnati, helping to raise the profile of the club and the MLS league as a whole. However, Neymar's injury history and advanced age raise questions about whether he could still perform at an elite level in a physically demanding league like MLS.

The details

According to reports from The Athletic and ESPN, FC Cincinnati have reached out to Neymar's representatives to gauge his interest and availability for a potential transfer. The discussions are still in the early stages, with the club just exploring the possibility at this point. Neymar, who has 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games for Santos this season, is currently the captain of the Brazilian club. His contract with Santos expires at the end of 2026.

  • Neymar's contract with Santos expires at the end of the 2026 calendar year.
  • FC Cincinnati currently sit in 10th place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a 2-4-0 record.

The players

Neymar

A 34-year-old Brazilian forward who is currently the captain of Santos in Brazil's top league, Serie A. Neymar is a former global superstar who played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain earlier in his career.

FC Cincinnati

A Major League Soccer club based in Cincinnati, Ohio that is currently in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings.

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What’s next

If the discussions between FC Cincinnati and Neymar progress, the next key step would be for the two sides to agree on contract terms and a transfer fee with Santos. Neymar's injury history and age will likely be major factors in the negotiations.

The takeaway

Signing a global icon like Neymar would be a major statement of intent for FC Cincinnati and MLS, but it also carries significant risk given the player's injury issues in recent years. The club will have to carefully weigh the potential upside against the downside before deciding whether to pursue this high-profile transfer.