“These are smart guys” - Brad Friedel offers opinion on Neymar joining MLS for reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez

Former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel has urged Inter Miami to reunite Lionel Messi and Neymar. He believes that the Brazilian needs to be managed, but can still be a big attraction for the league and the club.

Speaking to GOAL, Friedel suggested that Inter Miami should offer Neymar a performance-based contract to ensure they pay him only when he plays. He said the move would help the club and the league, but remains on the fence about it. He said:

"If Neymar is fit, then I think it works, I really do because he’s still a huge name in certain parts of the US. The trouble is if he’s not fit and he’s injured a lot, then it becomes a negative media-driven reality. I can understand arguments on both sides for sure. I would assume, and these are smart guys, it would be a tiered contract based on performances and being fit."

"Having spent some time in Miami, before Messi came, you wouldn’t have really known that Miami had a team. From the time that he came, there are pink and black shirts everywhere. If Neymar came, it would add to that. I can understand what they are trying to do. You have to look at it carefully because it’s a tough one due to his injury record. But he has that special talent that can really excite some American fans. He can do some special things. I would probably be 55 for it and 45 against.”

Neymar is at the end of his contract at Santos and will be a free agent when the season ends. Lionel Messi has extended his deal at Inter Miami, keeping him at the club until 2028.

Lionel Messi unsure about Neymar reunion at Inter Miami

Lionel Messi was asked by infobae earlier this year if Neymar should make a move to Inter Miami next season, and the Argentine was quick to suggest that he was unsure. He is unsure if the Brazilian would join the MLS side and said:

“I don't know. He went through a difficult year, where he was injured for a long time, which leaves him out of the Copa America as well, where he could not play most of the games in Arabia. And now it's difficult. Afterwards, I don't know, the truth is that life takes so many turns that anything can happen, but I don't think that today, no.”

Neymar and Lionel Messi have played 206 matches together at Barcelona and PSG. They have combined for 67 goals in their games together.