(Photo credit: REUTERS/Thiago Bernardes/File Photo)

FC Cincinnati, off to a slow start to the season, are in talks with Brazil star Neymar about a possible move to the MLS club, The Athletic and ESPN reported on Thursday.

The discussions are preliminary at this point, with the team just checking on Neymar's possible interest and availability, according to the reports.

Neymar, 34, is currently the captain of Santos in Serie A, Brazil's top soccer league, where his contract expires at the end of the calendar year. He formerly was one of the world's best attacking players during his time with Barcelona (2013-17) and Paris Saint-Germain (2017-23), playing alongside Lionel Messi with both clubs.

In four games for Santos this season, Neymar has three goals and two assists. Last season, his first year playing professionally in his home nation, he tallied eight goals and one assist in 20 games (17 starts).

An ankle injury slowed Neymar before his departure from Paris Saint-Germain, leading to a stint with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, where his brief tenure was halted by a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He returned to action in January 2025 when he made the move to Santos.

A fixture on the Brazilian national team starting in 2013, Neymar hasn't played for his country since 2023. He has stated publicly his desire to be on Brazil's World Cup team this summer for the tournament in North America.

FCC Cincinnati sits in 10th place in MLS' Eastern Conference with two wins and four losses this season. The Orange and Blue also crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in the round of 16 despite holding a 3-0 lead after the first leg against Tigres UANL. In the second leg at San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico, Tigres won 5-1 to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

--Field Level Media