What Could Possibly Lure Neymar to FC Cincinnati?

FC Cincinnati is casting a wide net for top talent, and their latest target appears to be Neymar Jr., widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers Brazil has ever produced.

Having missed out on German icon Thomas Müller last summer—despite holding his discovery rights—and failing to secure Juventus's Weston McKennie, the Gary Lions appear to be back in pursuit of elite talent. Earlier this week, The Athletic reported that the club had entered preliminary discussions with Neymar's representatives about bringing the winner of the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League, and the 2016 Olympics to American shores. 

Cincinnati's pursuit is the most recent among MLS clubs attempting to acquire him, following negotiations between his camp and Chicago Fire FC that progressed considerably in 2025, only to collapse when he signed with his childhood club, Santos FC of Brazilian Serie A.

But why would FC Cincinnati—a city not particularly known for its Brazilian community—be a suitable destination for Neymar? That may actually be part of the appeal. 

Why Would Neymar Want to Join FC Cincinnati?

While Neymar's personality differs greatly from Müller's, the German star chose not to sign with Cincinnati partly because the city's large German-speaking population would have treated him more as a marketing asset than a footballer, in contrast to the central role he plays at Vancouver Whitecaps.

For Neymar, the opportunity to concentrate on football and enjoy a degree of anonymity in Cincinnati could be an appealing prospect, given the relentless media scrutiny he has endured throughout his career in Brazil and at FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Al-Hilal. At the same time, Cincinnati's passionate fanbase would still offer him the electric atmosphere he thrives in.

There is little question he would serve as a major marketing draw for the club and MLS broadly, but the day-to-day attention he would receive may be considerably lower than at other high-profile MLS clubs in bigger markets—such as alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, or as the centerpiece of New York City FC's new stadium project.

He could also draw lessons from Colombian star James Rodríguez's turbulent start with the underperforming Minnesota United. Joining Cincinnati would place Neymar as a finishing touch on an already competitive squad—a gentler transition for a veteran star whose career has been frequently disrupted by injury.

The talents of fellow Brazilian Evander, prolific striker Kévin Denkey, and USMNT defender Miles Robinson could also ease Neymar's integration, enabling him to simply enhance a quality side and potentially push them into genuine title contention.

"I hope he joins Cincinnati," Evander said in 2025 on MLS 360. "There's two Brazilians here, so if he joins, it can be the Brazilians against the Argentinians at Inter Miami." 

How FC Cincinnati Could Sign Neymar

While Cincinnati appear to have genuine interest—and Neymar's own intentions remain unclear—the club would need to make substantial structural changes to accommodate him this season, as all three Designated Player slots are currently occupied by Denkey, Robinson, and Evander. 

None of those players could have their salaries reduced via targeted or general allocation money to fall below the DP threshold, and all are tied to long-term contracts. Therefore, one would need to be moved on if Cincinnati hopes to bring Neymar in on a salary exceeding $1,803,125 per season. 

Denkey, who arrived for a club-record $16.1 million ahead of the 2025 season, has yet to develop strong chemistry with Evander and could be the most movable piece, though he would likely be sold at a notable loss given his scoring record of 24 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions spanning 2025 and the early stages of 2026. 

Nevertheless, that sacrifice may prove worthwhile. Parting ways with Denkey could open the door for Neymar, while also allowing the club to pursue a more affordable yet dependable striker who might build a stronger partnership with Evander and the team's creative core. 

Should Neymar ultimately make the move to MLS, he would join a growing list of global superstars in the league, including recent arrivals such as Messi, Müller, Rodríguez, Son Heung-min, Rodrigo De Paul, and Antoine Griezmann, among others.