Neymar’s Future: A Potential Move Amid Challenges and Opportunities

The 33-year-old playmaker is poised to embrace a new challenge in early 2026. His emotional return to Santos, the club where his career began, has not transpired as envisioned, with Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer grappling with recurring injuries while finding himself embroiled in an unexpected relegation struggle.

It seems inevitable that Neymar will part ways with Santos as he looks to start anew ahead of the upcoming World Cup next summer. A return to Europe, where he previously played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has been ruled out, suggesting that he will likely continue his career in the Americas.

Speculation has arisen regarding interest from rival clubs in Brazil, and a potential move across the border to Argentina could afford him the opportunity to reunite with former PSG teammate Paredes in Buenos Aires. With Boca Juniors set to compete in the Copa Libertadores in 2026, Paredes expressed his enthusiasm about the prospect of Neymar joining him at La Bombonera, stating, “I talk to Ney a lot. The truth is, I have a very good relationship with him. We’re friends. We’re always in contact, but he’s at his club; we have to respect the other teams and decisions of the players, so I can’t say much.”

With a smile, Paredes added, “We’ll wait for him if he wants!”

Boca may face competition from Inter Miami for Neymar’s services. Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel recently discussed the feasibility of reuniting the legendary ‘MSN’ attacking trio, asserting that while there are inherent risks in such a move, the commercial implications accompanying a player of Neymar’s stature cannot be overlooked. He stated, “I think it would be a risk on anyone’s behalf; it just depends on how you would structure the contract. You must also weigh the pros and cons—signing legends like Neymar often brings substantial commercial opportunities that correlate with the salary.

He continued, “The upside is that MLS is a league that allows players to extend their careers, so Inter Miami must carefully consider the off-field earnings and get it right. If they can structure the contract appropriately, it mitigates risk. However, having Neymar back alongside Messi—it’s uncertain. We will see how things unfold, but the league needs to enhance its commercial approach.”

As Neymar contemplates his next steps, Paredes also weighed in on the potential departure of his Argentina international teammate Paulo Dybala from Serie A side Roma. Paredes, who has shared the pitch with Dybala in Italy, remarked, “Having a player like Paulo on the team, with his quality and stature, would be spectacular. I’ll let each person make their decision; I can’t interfere, as it’s not my place. There are numerous factors to consider, especially as he is about to become a father. I hope he makes the best decision for himself and his family. We are waiting for him here with unwavering hope.”

Dybala’s contract with Roma is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, leading to speculation that he might return to Argentina after departing for Italy in 2012. Meanwhile, Neymar faces critical decisions regarding his immediate future, as questions loom about his ability to consistently deliver match-defining performances.