Neymar and Lionel Messi to Play Together Again!

Neymar returned to his roots in January after his lucrative contract with Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League was terminated. An unforgettable stint in the Middle East came to an end following his recovery from a serious cruciate ligament injury.

Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer, now 33, has faced further fitness issues back in his homeland. However, he remains eager to represent his country at next summer's World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. To earn a call-up from Seleção head coach Carlo Ancelotti, he will need to play regularly.

A return to Europe seemed off the table after surprising links with Serie A giants Inter fell through, leaving Neymar with two options: stay at Santos or make a fresh start in Miami alongside Messi.

With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba preparing for retirement, certain player positions will open up in Florida, paving the way for another Barcelona legend to be signed. However, bringing in Neymar would represent a significant risk for Inter Miami.

When asked how big that risk is and where the value lies, Friedel, speaking to GOAL alongside Hard Rock Bet, said: "I think it would be a risk for everyone; I think it just comes down to how you structure the contract. You also have to weigh the pros and cons. When you bring in legends like Neymar, you have to factor in the commercial opportunities that come with it, and that almost always offsets the salary and fee package you're giving.

"When you sign a player like that, you're going to make a significant amount of money off the field. I think there's more sporting risk than commercial risk — or the commercial risk becomes just as great if he gets injured. But if he stays fit, the risk is his age, the injuries he's had, and whether he's the [type of] player they need.

"The positive side is that this league is a step down from the one he's currently playing in. Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time, but he can play in MLS for many more years. This is a league that allows players to do that, so I think Inter Miami needs to weigh the pros and cons of what they can gain off the field and make the right decision.

"If they structure the contract properly, the risk is limited. I'm not sure about Neymar playing alongside Messi again. We'll have to wait and see, but the league needs to do something commercially.

"For MLS to be profitable, the TV deal needs to be bigger because, as it stands, it's not profitable. Bringing in players like Thomas Müller to Vancouver — look at what that does for them. Again, I don't know if it has a positive commercial impact, but MLS needs to do something, and Neymar would be a step in the right direction."

Neymar has previously left the door open to playing alongside Messi and Luis Suárez again, saying it would be "incredible" to revive the "MSN" attacking trio. However, Friedel is unsure whether the experienced Uruguayan forward Suárez can manage another season.

The former Tottenham and Blackburn goalkeeper, who played for Columbus Crew and New England Revolution in MLS, added about the 38-year-old Suárez: "I wouldn't know because I haven't been around him, but I've played against him many times, and when you watch his running — whether it's his ankles or his knees, I don't know — but he's coming to the end of his career, so I don't know if he could play another year even if he wanted to. I wouldn't be surprised if he retires."