Inter Miami are set to take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with Neymar’s Al-Hilal also qualifying for the competition.
The Saudi Arabian club are regarded as one of the best teams in Asia having won the Saudi Pro League three times in the last four years and winning four AFC Champions Leagues, the most recent of which coming in 2021.
With a squad boasting the likes of Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and the aforementioned Neymar, Al-Hilal could be one of the surprise packages of the Club World Cup, with the Middle Eastern giants also managed by former Benfica and Fenerbahce coach Jorge Jesus.
And Neymar has now shared who he wants to play for at the Club World Cup amid rumors linking the Brazilian to Inter Miami.
Neymar quashes Inter Miami rumor by expressing Al-Hilal loyalty
Speaking to RMC Sport, Neymar has seemingly ended speculation that he will join Inter Miami by saying he wants to play for Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup, with the attacker saying: “I want to play in the Club World Cup 2025 with Al-Hilal, which is very important for the club.”
Inter Miami had been strongly linked with a move for Neymar heading into the January transfer window, with the prospect of the winger reuniting with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez one that every soccer fan would have loved to see one more time in MLS.
With Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas even commenting on the Herons potentially signing Neymar, there was seemingly a small chance that the former FC Barcelona and PSG superstar could have made the move to Chase Stadium.
Indeed, Neymar joining Inter Miami was always going to be difficult given the financial restraints MLS clubs have when it comes to signing big-name players, and the Al-Hilal winger’s comments seem to have put an end in the Florida franchise bringing the South American superstar to America.
Who else could Inter Miami sign in January?
Neymar might have been the perfect January signing for Inter Miami, but the Brazilian superstar is far from the only player the Herons have been linked with going into the winter market.
Javier Mascherano is believed to be interested in signing Angel Di Maria, with Inter Miami also linked with Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah, who is approaching his final six months on his current contract with the Premier League leaders.
With Paulo Dybala also a target for Inter Miami, there’s a real chance that the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions could bring in a big-name player to compliment Messi and Suarez in attack, with the potential there for something special to happen.