Inter Miami coach Mascherano downplays talk of Neymar linking up with Messi, Suarez

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano said bringing Neymar to the club to reunite with his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez is "impossible" under Major League Soccer's salary cap rules.

In Short

• Mascherano rules out Neymar joining Messi and Suárez at Inter Miami
• MLS salary cap makes Neymar's move to Miami impossible
• Mascherano focuses on team building within MLS constraints

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has ruled out the possibility of reuniting Neymar with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez at the club, citing Major League Soccer's (MLS) strict salary cap regulations as a major barrier.

Speaking during MLS media day in Miami on Thursday, Mascherano acknowledged Neymar's exceptional talent but emphasised that a move for the Brazilian forward was not feasible under the league's financial framework. "Obviously, Ney is a great player. Every coach in the world wants him, but you know the MLS rules around the salary cap. So for us in this moment, it's impossible to try to think about him," Mascherano stated.

Neymar, Messi, and Suárez formed the iconic 'MSN' attacking trio during their time at Barcelona, delivering a historic treble in 2015. Their partnership was celebrated as one of the most formidable in football history, combining flair, precision, and chemistry on the field.

Rumors of a potential reunion gained traction following Neymar's recent comments in an interview with CNN, where he described the idea of playing alongside Messi and Suárez again as "incredible." However, Mascherano dismissed such speculation, reiterating that Inter Miami had no plans or negotiations involving Neymar.

The Brazilian star, currently with Saudi club Al-Hilal, has struggled with injuries since his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. Neymar has made just seven appearances for Al-Hilal, with his contract set to expire in June.

Mascherano, who replaced Gerardo "Tata" Martino as Inter Miami's head coach in November, is focused on building a cohesive and competitive team within MLS's structural constraints. 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, exiting in the first round.

The former Argentina midfielder emphasized the importance of instilling both tactical clarity and a positive mindset in his squad. "It's important to translate to the team not just my ideas on how to play but to try to enjoy day by day," Mascherano said. "Football, you have to enjoy every training session to arrive at the matches in good condition to compete."