Cincinnati has opened talks to sign Neymar as the MLS club looks to bring the Brazilian superstar to the United States.
The discussions are still informal and exploratory, but the fact that the club is actively engaging with the Brazilian superstar’s representatives confirms just how bold their ambitions have become.
Cincinnati is positioning itself less as a niche regional project and more as a club willing to chase marquee names, hoping that a single blockbuster addition could accelerate both their sporting trajectory and their commercial standing in the United States, as reported by The Athletic.
The Neymar move is being explored through initial contact between Cincinnati and the player’s representatives, with the club trying to gauge his interest, the financial framework required, and whether a transfer can realistically be built within MLS roster rules.
Neymar is currently under contract with Santos through the end of 2026, having returned to his boyhood club on a free transfer in January 2025, and any deal would likely require a significant package to tempt him away from Brazil.
For Cincinnati, the pursuit is about much more than just adding another forward.
The club is trying to elevate its profile internationally, following the model set by other MLS teams that have used marquee signings to accelerate commercial growth and raise expectations on the pitch.
Neymar, with his global recognition, Champions League pedigree, and deep ties to the wider football audience, would instantly transform Cincinnati’s visibility in the United States and beyond.
Even so, the club’s willingness to engage reflects a new level of confidence and a desire to compete for names that previously seemed beyond their reach.
For now, the conversation remains preliminary, but it has already placed the MLS side firmly in the global spotlight and hinted at a transfer story that could develop into one of the most surprising of 2026.
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