The prospect of Neymar playing soccer full-time in the United States should excite American soccer fans, but they shouldn’t start holding their breath just yet.
Neymar on Thursday revealed he’d like to play in the U.S. in the future, according to Sky Sports. The FC Barcelona and Brazil superstar opened up about his potential American move in an interview featured on Red Bull’s website.
“It’s tough to say if I wanna play in other countries … nobody knows (about) tomorrow, but I’m very happy where I am right now, at Barcelona,” Neymar said when asked if he’s interested in playing in other countries. “I want to go back to Brazil some day and I also would like to play in the United States — those two countries are where I want to play later on my career. The U.S. is a place where the game is growing and attracting the interest of lots of players, who are becoming more and more popular there, so this makes me curious, it makes me interested to see it closely.”
Neymar, 23, currently is working to fulfill his vast potential in Spain, where he already has won the biggest prizes European soccer has to offer with Barcelona. He also was a finalist for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or, and most expect him to win the prize one day — after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo abandon their perches at the top of the sport.
Neymar might not remain at Barcelona over the long term, as Real Madrid and Manchester United reportedly are willing to offer him vast riches in order to secure his services. Europe’s other leading clubs undoubtedly would enter the transfer race if Neymar ever suggested he wanted to leave Barcelona.
While Neymar didn’t set a date for a potential American move he joins a growing list of international superstars, who have set their sights on a stint in the United States — presumably in Major League Soccer.
Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and others already play for MLS teams. Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested repeatedly that he’s considering playing here.
If it’s good enough for all of them, why not Neymar?
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
