Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has ruled out the possibility of reuniting Neymar with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at the club, citing Major League Soccer’s (MLS) strict salary cap rules as a major obstacle.
Speaking during MLS media day in Miami on Thursday, Mascherano acknowledged Neymar’s extraordinary talent, but stressed that a move for the Brazilian forward was not possible under the league’s financial structure. Mascherano said, “Obviously, Ney is a great player. Every coach in the world wants him, but you know the MLS rules regarding the salary cap. So for us at this point, it’s impossible to try to think about him.” “
Neymar, Messi and Suarez formed the iconic ‘MSN’ attacking trio during their time at Barcelona, completing a historic treble in 2015. Their partnership was celebrated as one of the most formidable in football history, combining flair, accuracy and chemistry. Field.
Rumors of a possible reunion gain momentum Neymar’s recent comments in an interview with CNNWhere he described the idea of playing with Messi and Suárez again as “incredible”. However, Mascherano dismissed such speculation and reiterated that Inter Miami have no plans or talks involving Neymar.
The Brazilian star, who is currently with Saudi club Al-Hilal, has struggled with injuries since his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. Neymar has made only seven appearances for Al-Hilal, with his contract set to expire in June.
Mascherano, who replaced Gerardo “Tata” Martino as Inter Miami head coach in November, is focused on building a cohesive and competitive team within the structural constraints of MLS. Despite a stellar regular season, where Miami topped the standings and claimed the Supporters’ Shield with a record 74 points, the team faltered in the MLS Cup playoffs and were eliminated in the first round.
The former Argentina midfielder stressed the importance of instilling both tactical clarity and a positive mindset in his team. “It’s important to not only implement my ideas about how to play in front of the team, but also try to enjoy day after day,” Mascherano said. “Football, you have to enjoy every training session to get in good condition to compete.”