Football
Inter Miami Make Bold Designated Player Decision Amid Neymar Links
As speculations continue to grow about Neymar’s future, Inter Miami have made a bold decision road could see the Brazilian move to the United States.
Inter Miami in the past few days have made some huge transfer decision. The Herons locked down Messi through the 2028 MLS season and now Yannick Bright has extended his stay in South Beach as well.
Bright’s contract extension includes an additional option for 2029, keeping the MLS SuperDraft first-round selection in a pink shirt for the foreseeable future. The midfielder is expected to be the natural successor to Sergio Busquets, who is set to retire at the end of this season along with Jordi Alba.
Neymar Jr. of Santos looks on during the Brasileirao 2025 match between Vitoria and Santos at Manoel Barradas Stadium on May 25, 2025 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Oliveira/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Inter Miami’s latest decision means the club still has two open Designated Player (DP) slots that could pave the way for Neymar to reunite with Lionel Messi.
The departures of Busquets and Alba free up two of the Herons’ three Designated Player slots ahead of the 2026 MLS season.
Messi already takes up one of the slots and Rodrigo De Paul is expected to take the second. That leaves one DP slot available that could potentially be taken by Neymar.
Neymar has been linked with Inter Miami ever since Messi, Alba, Busquets and Luis Suárez joined the club.
The Brazilian who is out of contract at the end of the year, is still vying for a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, to make his way back to the Seleção after years of injury woes, Neymar needs to find a new home ahead of this summer’s tournament and play consistent minutes.
Neymar could follow in the footsteps of his former Barcelona teammates and use MLS as the stage to revitalize his career.
Time will tell is he will reunite with Messi at Inter Miami or the 33-year-old will continue his adventure in the Brazilian league.