Neymar's MLS Move to FC Cincinnati in Doubt as Santos Pushes for Contract Renewal

Santos executive director Alexandre Mattos says the club is focused on keeping Neymar beyond his current deal that expires in 2026.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:37am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a soccer player in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors representing the dynamism and energy of the sport.Santos' efforts to retain Neymar complicate the star's potential move to MLS, exposing the challenges of luring top global talent to the United States.Cincinnati Today

Neymar's potential move to MLS club FC Cincinnati is facing obstacles as Santos, his current Brazilian club, is working to renew his contract. Santos executive director Alexandre Mattos stated the club's intention to keep Neymar, citing his importance both on the pitch and commercially. However, Neymar has faced growing tensions with Santos fans amid the team's poor league form, raising questions about his long-term future at the club.

Why it matters

Neymar's move to MLS would have been a major coup for the league, bringing one of the world's top players to the United States. However, Santos' determination to retain their star player complicates FC Cincinnati's pursuit and casts doubt on whether Neymar will ultimately end up in MLS in the near future.

The details

FC Cincinnati had taken initial steps to explore signing Neymar, but the MLS club is still in the early stages of assessing the financial feasibility of any potential deal. Neymar's father and agent is awaiting a meeting with FC Cincinnati representatives to advance the conversation, while Santos is simultaneously working to secure his future at the club. Santos executive director Alexandre Mattos made the club's intentions clear, stating that Neymar's contract runs until the end of 2026 and that the team is focused on getting the club out of its current difficult situation in the league.

  • Neymar's current contract with Santos runs until the end of 2026.
  • Santos executive director Alexandre Mattos spoke about the club's intentions to renew Neymar's contract following a match against Fluminense on April 16, 2026.

The players

Neymar

A Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Santos and the Brazil national team.

Alexandre Mattos

The executive director of Brazilian club Santos, who has publicly stated the club's intention to renew Neymar's contract.

FC Cincinnati

An MLS club that has been linked with a potential move to sign Neymar.

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What they’re saying

“The contract runs until the end of the year. Neymar and everyone else are focused on getting Santos out of this situation as quickly as possible. We have to separate Neymar (the player) from NR (Neymar's brand/company).”

— Alexandre Mattos, Santos Executive Director

“He does everything he can to be at his best on the pitch. And NR has helped us significantly with structural issues and sponsorships. We are trying to keep things moving forward. But it depends on results. Santos will always want Neymar because of everything he has done and continues to do.”

— Alexandre Mattos, Santos Executive Director

“When he was sold to PSG, he said he would only go if they paid the youth club rights. And right now, he is trying to do what he wants most on the pitch. Together, we will do more and improve.”

— Alexandre Mattos, Santos Executive Director

What’s next

Santos and Neymar are expected to hold contract renewal talks in the coming months as the player's current deal expires at the end of 2026. FC Cincinnati will also continue to monitor the situation and assess the feasibility of a potential move for Neymar.

The takeaway

Neymar's future remains uncertain, with Santos determined to keep their star player despite growing tensions between the player and the club's fanbase. FC Cincinnati's pursuit of Neymar has hit a roadblock, highlighting the challenges MLS clubs face in luring top global talent away from their current clubs.