With Neymar’s Return to Santos, Inter Miami Changes Plans and Wants to Sign Carrasco | OneFootball

Everyone was pretty sure Neymar Jr. had his bags packed for Miami, ready to team up with Messi in the sunshine state. But then, out of nowhere, Neymar pulls a 180, heads back home, and puts on the Santos FC jersey again. As the Brazilian superstar lands back in São Paulo, Inter Miami isn’t sitting around sulking. Nope. They’ve got a plan B, an offer worth about $11 million to Al-Shabab for Yannick Carrasco, the Belgian winger who could fill that coveted Designated Player spot.

When Messi made his big move to Inter Miami, the club became a symbol of bold ambition. Landing Neymar would’ve been the cherry on top, but even though Carrasco might not carry the same media magnetism as Neymar, he’s no slouch. The guy’s fast, versatile, and has a sharp soccer brain. With a stellar stint at Atlético Madrid and some solid years in China, he’s used to pressure and brings the kind of game that fans in the U.S. love. Messi might be the star of the show, but Carrasco could very well be the shining supporting actor.

Now, Neymar’s decision to go back to Santos is raising a few eyebrows. Who would’ve guessed that one of the world’s biggest stars would choose to go back to his roots instead of joining the “Messiverse” in Miami? The move back to Peixe (the Fish) definitely has a heavy emotional pull, but is that really all there is to it? Could it be that Neymar needed to reconnect with his roots and win back the trust of Brazilian fans?

While Neymar’s move might’ve been a head-scratcher, Inter Miami isn’t giving up on their bold strategy. Sure, they didn’t land Neymar this time, but going after Carrasco shows they’re in it for the long haul. The league needs players hungry for the game, not just for fat contracts. And Carrasco seems to fit that bill perfectly.

What we’re seeing in global soccer right now is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Saudi clubs are throwing around ridiculous amounts of cash to bring in big names, while the MLS is working hard to make itself one of the top destinations. In the middle of all this, Neymar’s return to Santos almost feels like a rebellious act against the system. Or maybe it’s a savvy move to keep his image strong in Brazil. Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that Neymar’s move left a big hole at Inter Miami.