MLS boss doesn’t want Neymar

He is back. After two and a half months of absence, Neymar returned to the field on the occasion of the reception of Real Madrid in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League. His comeback was even good since he immediately provoked a free kick after a dribbling session in the opposing defense. He had less success the following weekend against Nantes. He certainly scored but also saw Lafont push back his penalty, stopping the rise of PSG, finally beaten 3-1 at La Beaujoire.

The one who has just turned 30 finally feels good in Paris but he is also thinking about the future. Under contract until 2025 (plus an optional year), the attacking midfielder would like to return to Brazil one day, as he explains to the podcast Fenomenos. “I really want to play at Santos again. What I really miss is playing at home, my God, this stadium is wonderful. He wouldn’t tell Major League Soccer either, for one reason basically: the length of time off between each season. “I also really want to play in the United States, at least for a season. It’s a short championship. You have three or four months of vacation.

Neymar not welcome in MLS

There is still better as a main motivation. This is precisely what annoys Don Garber, the commissioner of the MLS, who replied to the star during a press briefing organized on Tuesday. “We don’t need to bring in a great player at the end of his career because he has decided he wants to take pre-retirement from MLS. If they don’t come here to play and contribute meaningfully to our teams and our league, respect the league and its fans, otherwise we don’t want them in MLS. »

These statements are part of a more global projection. The leader of the North American championship aims to change the orientation of MLS to focus on young players or players at the peak of their career. “We want our story to be about young players coming here on their debut or at the peak of their careers” he explains, citing in turn the cases of Shaqiri (30 years old), Insigne (30 years old) and Douglas Costa (31 years old) as examples. Neymar will be 34 at the end of his contract in Paris and Messi 36 or 37 depending on his departure from the French capital (he has a 2-year contract, plus an optional year). Will MLS want them? Nothing is less sure.