Neymar not welcome in MLS?
« I really want to play in the United States, at least one season. It’s a short championship. You have three or four months of vacation. I could play it for many years« , Neymar said a few days ago, opening the door to a possible future in MLS, he who is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2025.
But North American Championship boss Don Garber doesn’t seem inclined to welcome the Brazilian star. Especially if it comes in the mindset of a pre-retiree. « We don’t need to bring in a great player at the end of his career because he decided to come and retire in MLS. If players don’t come here to play and make a meaningful contribution to their team, if they’re not here to respect the league and their fans, we don’t want them in MLS. !”, he said in remarks reported by ESPN.
Bring in players under 30
Neymar isn’t the only player who could take charge of MLS in the next few years. Cristiano Ronaldo or even Leo Messi could also be tempted by a last adventure on the other side of the Atlantic. The latter would also welcome a departure to Miami alongside his friend, Luis Suárez, in a franchise – Inter Miami – owned by David Beckham who awaits them with open arms.
But Garber’s idea is none other than to see players under 30, or at least still old enough to perform. This is the case of Lorenzo Insigne, who will join Toronto at the end of the season, or even Xherdan Shaqiri, who left Olympique Lyonnais to join the Chicago Fire. « We want players who come here because they are the choice of our league. I am proud to bring in players who are 30 years old or younger », concluded the MLS boss, who therefore authoritatively closed the door of his championship to Neymar. At least for the moment…
