Patricia De Melo Moreira / AFP / Getty ImagesJune 25, 2026 Updated 2:49 pm EDTBrazilian star Neymar has pulled out of talks with FC Cincinnati due to the player’s frustration over slow progress on a potential move, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic.Cincinnati never made an official offer to Neymar, sources added. Neymar wanted to join Cincinnati if the finances could be agreed. Sporting director Chris Albright and president Jeff Berding visited Brazil in April to meet with Neymar and his father as talks continued, sources say.The Athletic first reported Cincinnati’s conversations with Neymar in April.Neymar is still open to playing in MLS for another club if the situation is right, sources said. He is at his boyhood club Santos with a contract through the end of the year. The attacker has six goals and four assists in 15 appearances (1,265 minutes) across all competitions for Santos this year.
Neymar, 34, made his first appearance at this summer’s World Cup for Brazil in the team’s 3-0 win over Scotland after returning from injury. Brazil topped Group C with two wins and a draw.Neymar's 'last dance' has divided BrazilNatalie GedraThe former Barcelona, PSG and Al-Hilal star is left to weigh up his next move. Neymar, who is the Brazilian men’s national team’s all-time leading scorer, has won one Champions League title, two La Liga titles, five Ligue 1 titles, an Olympic gold medal and more in his illustrious career.MLS teams have had a renewed focus on bringing in global stars after the commercial success of Lionel Messi, and as they look to attract more viewers in the lead-up to a media rights negotiation in 2028 and 2029. The league’s current deal with Apple expires at the end of the 2028-29 season.Marco Reus (LA Galaxy), Hugo Lloris (LAFC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver), Son Heung-min (LAFC), Rodrigo De Paul (Miami), James Rodríguez (Minnesota), Timo Werner (San Jose) and Antoine Griezmann (Orlando City) are some of the names that have arrived in recent years, with the latter due to join this summer. Meanwhile, Inter Miami is set to sign Neymar’s Brazil teammate Casemiro and the Chicago Fire are pushing to sign Robert Lewandowski.Jun 25, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
