Neymar Jr. has ended transfer discussions with FC Cincinnati, frustrated by what he perceived as a glacial negotiation process that never produced an actual offer. The Brazilian forward is now looking at alternatives, and an MLS move immediately after the 2026 World Cup appears unlikely.
The conversations between Neymar’s camp and Cincinnati kicked off in April 2026, with the MLS club reportedly trying to gauge the player’s interest and financial expectations. Two months later, on June 25, Neymar pulled the plug. The reason: no formal offer ever landed on the table.
A deal that never really was
Neymar, still under contract with Santos through the end of 2026, clearly expected more urgency from a club that initiated contact. The breakdown doesn’t just close the Cincinnati door. It appears to have cooled Neymar’s interest in MLS as an immediate post-World Cup destination entirely. He remains open to opportunities if the financial terms align, but the timeline has shifted from “right after the tournament” to something more open-ended.
The bigger picture for MLS ambitions
