The future of Neymar Jr. is once again uncertain. At 33, the Brazilian star finds himself at a crossroads that could define not only the final stretch of his career but also his chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup. With his contract at Santos about to expire, Neymar is weighing two possible routes: signing a short extension in Brazil or accepting an offer that would reunite him with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.

A race against time toward the World Cup

Time is working against the forward. His deal with Santos runs out in December, leaving him with just six months to convince Carlo Ancelotti to include him in Brazil’s final squad for the next World Cup. The Italian coach has already stated that the group he names in March will likely be the same one that heads to the tournament — meaning Neymar has a very short window to regain form and match fitness.

Since leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Al Hilal in 2023, Neymar has played only 21 official matches. In contrast, Messi — who joined Inter Miami that same summer — has already featured in 73 games and scored more than 70 goals for the Florida club.

Inter Miami: a realistic opportunity

According to reports from SPORT, a Neymar–Messi reunion “is a feasible scenario” heading into 2026. Inter Miami have made no secret of their desire to bring the Brazilian to the MLS, especially with the flexibility offered by the Designated Player (DP) rule, which allows teams to pay certain players beyond the league’s salary cap.

With Messi’s renewal until 2028 locking down one DP spot, the club could soon free another following the potential retirements of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, paving the way for Neymar. The recent arrival of Rodrigo De Paul, who will become a permanent player in January, further demonstrates David Beckham’s commitment to building a star-studded roster, even if it means stretching financial limits.

Santos: the other possible path

The alternative for Neymar is to extend his contract with Santos for another six months. Although rumors linking him to Inter Milan or Napoli have been dismissed, staying in Brazil could provide him with valuable consistency and rhythm before the national team call-up.

For Ancelotti, however, club affiliation won’t be the deciding factor:

“Neymar can play at the highest level without any problem. When he’s fit, he has the quality to be in any team in the world,” said the Brazil manager.