Neymar jersey – Source: Unsplash
Fall 2025 certainly marks an exciting time to be an Inter Miami fan. The iconic Lionel Messi has dispelled rumors of any potential departure by penning a new three-year deal, a contract which will see the mercurial Argentine lead the South Beach club into their state-of-the-art new home, Miami Freedom Park, due for completion next year. The club is also alive and kicking in the ongoing MLS Cup playoffs.
Inter Miami’s MLS Cup Dreams
Miami is looking to banish the ghosts of last season, when they were stunned in the opening round of the postseason by Atlanta United, despite winning the Supporters Shield in record-breaking fashion. Messi has led his side to the perfect start in the quest to leave last term firmly in the rearview mirror, netting twice in a 3-1 victory against Nashville in the first of a best-of-three series. Just as they were last term, online betting sites once again make the Floridians a favorite for the crown.
The popular Bovada site currently prices Miami as a 10/3 frontrunner to win the MLS Cup this term, closely followed by the 4/1 Philadelphia Union and Thomas Muller’s 9/2 Vancouver Whitecaps. But win, lose, or draw, a huge offseason is on the cards on South Beach.
Two of Messi’s closest cohorts will be retiring at the end of the ongoing MLS Cup playoff campaign, namely Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. The two Spaniards have been alongside their Argentine genius of a teammate both during their trophy-laden stint in Barcelona and now once again in Miami. So, with those two departing, space has been freed up for further marquee additions, and here are the huge names currently being touted with a move to join Messi in Florida.
“Listen to that roar, Messi once more” 👏 pic.twitter.com/BN5wBHv5L7
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) September 25, 2025
Neymar
Barcelona’s famed MSN strike force, namely Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, remains one of the most fearsome ever assembled. The devastating trio led the Blaugrana to a famous treble a decade ago, headlined by victory in the 2015 UEFA Champions League final against Juventus in Berlin. Ten years on, the band could well be about to get back together.
Of course, both Messi and Suarez are already in Miami. Neymar looks set to join them.
Turning 34 in February, the Brazilian winger’s career has fallen off a cliff since an ill-fated move to Al Hilal some two and a half years ago. The Saudi club forked out €90m to secure Neymar’s services, as well as paying him a whopping annual salary of $100m. However, injuries would ruin his stint in the Arabian Gulf, with the former PSG man leaving for free after just 18 months and seven appearances, with the overall cost for his services amounting to around €43 million per game.
Since returning to boyhood club Santos back in January, things haven’t gotten much better. Neymar has spent long stints on the treatment table once again, with supporters of the club clamoring for his head. With his contract expiring at the end of the current Brazilian season in December, he will once again be available for free, and Inter Miami are thought to be at the front of the queue in the race for his signature.
