After losing 2-3 to Atlanta United and being eliminated from the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs, Lionel Messi has asked Inter Miami’s board to convince Neymar to join the team.

Inter Miami’s captain is said to be “very eager to reunite with Neymar” to form the legendary “MSN” trio.

Messi believes that MLS would be an ideal destination for Neymar, who is having a difficult time in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal.

If Neymar comes to Inter Miami, MLS will become more attractive than ever. The “MSN” trio is expected to easily shine in the top league of American football, and help Inter Miami win titles 🦩🏆🇺🇸

Is Neymar who Inter Miami needs?

While the move would certainly make headlines, as any team featuring Messi and Neymar would, but not everyone thinks Miami should bring in the Brazilian.

“I don’t think Neymar is what they need right now. I mean, I think they need to shore up the back line and get some additional quality back there,” ESPN analyst Jeff Carlisle said on the Futbol Americas podcast.

No doubt that Neymar’s signing would create a fearsome attack in Miami, but it’s their defense that likely needs the most help. The team gave up 49 goals last season, which was far off the top backlines in the league, and bringing in Neymar wouldn’t rectify that problem.

Don’t forget that given MLS’ salary cap and roster regulations, bringing in Neymar would likely make it more difficult to bring in an impactful defender.

“Miami always seems to step right up to the line of the salary cap and the roster rules. And then they kind of find themselves in situations where they’re dealing from a position of weakness. And so I think that’s what could make it especially difficult in this off-season,” Carlisle added.

There’s also the question of whether Miami are interest in bringing back Suarez, who signed a one-year deal with the club.

Although he has shown interest in remaining, there are question marks over the 37-year-old’s fitness given his chronic knee problems. Should he leave a move for Neymar would make more sense, but time will tell which position Miami chooses to strengthen.