Melo did not present the move as done; he framed it as information passed on to him, adding: “Let's wait and see what happens.” That caution matters.
Even so, the idea is easy to understand. Neymar, Messi and Suarez were one of modern football’s most iconic attacking trios, and Inter Miami have already shown they can attract star power and turn it into a global event. If Neymar is available at the right moment, the commercial and football logic would be obvious.
The strongest counterweight to the rumour comes from Neymar himself. He has not backed any suggestion that his future is settled and has instead kept the picture deliberately open.
“I don't know how long [I'll keep playing], I'm not thinking about stopping, nor do I know how long I'll carry on,” Neymar said. That is not the voice of a player rushing to announce a final chapter.
Just as importantly, the forward has indicated he plans to respect his deal at Santos before deciding what comes next. His phrase, “one step at a time,” feels like the clearest guide for now.
That is what makes this story so compelling. It is plausible, glamorous and emotionally loaded - but still short on certainty. A move to MLS would fit the broader arc of Neymar’s career, especially with familiar faces waiting in Miami. It also feels like the kind of transfer football loves to imagine before it can confirm.
For now, the next development is likely to come from Neymar rather than from the rumour mill. Until the January 2027 window draws closer, the real question is whether this is the start of a genuine move - or simply the latest chapter in a transfer story that still has time to twist.