MIAMI — Is Neymar headed to Inter Miami?

Once upon a time, that would have seemed ludicrous. Not anymore.

Whispers that the Brazilian soccer superstar might someday join former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba grew to louder rumblings in recent days after Neymar bought a $26 million waterfront property in Bal Harbour.

“It’s a record price for square footage of land in Bal Harbour,” an anonymous real estate insider told the Miami Herald. “Neymar just bought an empty lot.”

The lot is located on the Intracoastal and comes with approved plans for a 13,000 square foot house to be designed by Elicyon, a well-regarded company based out of London.

Ruthie and Ethan Assouline of Douglas Elliman had the listing and represented the seller. The buyer was represented by Bento Queiroz (BQ Team | Florida Real Estate Agents), with Compass. The Wall Street Journal first reported the purchase.

It is no secret that Neymar likes to spend time in South Florida. He has been spotted courtside at Miami Heat games several times. He attended the Miami Open with Heat star Jimmy Butler last spring, threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Marlins 2024 opening day, and was photographed at dinner with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham in late-March.

Beckham posted a photo on Instagram of himself, his wife Victoria, and Neymar at dinner along with the caption: “Welcome to Miami, my friend, just for dinner”.

That post sparked a flurry of speculation about a possible Neymar move to Inter Miami.

The Inter Miami ownership group spent three years courting Messi and shocked the sports world when the club wound up landing the Argentine icon in the summer of 2023. Messi’s arrival led to the signings of Busquets, Alba and Suarez.

Could Neymar be next? Perhaps.

Neymar, 32, is under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal through June 2025, which means he can start negotiating with other clubs about his future in early 2025. Saudi journalist Tariq Al Nofal reported that Inter Miami has been in talks with Al Hilal about a potential transfer.

Al Nofal reported that Al-Hilal is “open to the idea of letting Neymar leave at the beginning of the year if a suitable offer is received” to recoup part of his transfer fee.

Another option is that he could sign with Inter Miami in the Summer 2025 transfer window, after his Saudi contract expires. The Brazilian reportedly makes $80 to 100 million in salary and his deal includes perks such as a 25-bedroom mansion with staff and use of a private plane.

He would have to accept a significant pay cut to join Major League Soccer, but he may be willing to do so, as were Busquets, Alba and Suarez. The chance to experience a more relaxed lifestyle in the United States and reunite on the field with close friends is appealing at this stage of their careers.

Neymar left Paris Saint Germain for Al Hilal in 2023 amid much drama. His time in Saudi Arabia has not been ideal, as he suffered a knee injury that required a long layoff. He returned to action last week.

A move to Miami sometime in 2025, or even early 2026, would make sense because he would be in a city he loves, surrounded by a large Brazilian and Latin American community, and would arrive just in time for the opening of the new Miami Freedom Park Stadium, scheduled to open in early 2026.

The timing would also allow him to build his brand in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Seven World Cup games will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Neymar is five years younger than Messi and Suarez, so he could become the face of Inter Miami once the other two retire.

If a Messi-Suarez-Neymar (MSN) reunion ever happens, soccer fans would be treated to one of the greatest trios in recent soccer history. The three players combined for 363 goals, 272 assists and seven trophies over the four-year span with Barcelona, including the 2014-15 Champions League.

Stay tuned. Nobody thought Messi would come to Miami, and it happened. Neymar doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore.

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