With the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup just around the corner, an unexpected rumor has thrown the spotlight on Mexico’s Pachuca: could Neymar Jr. really join their squad and come against Real Madrid on U.S. soil? The speculation, sparked by whispers in the Brazilian and Spanish media, sent soccer fans and insiders into a frenzy.
Set to represent CONCACAF at the tournament, Pachuca has been strengthening its roster for what will be its most prestigious challenge in years. But amid the expected reinforcements, Neymar’s name stands out like a thunderclap. The Brazilian star — now 33 and recovering from multiple injury setbacks — remains under contract with Santos until June 30, meaning he will become a free agent on the eve of the tournament.
The heart of the buzz is this: Neymar, once again, could face Real Madrid, this time in Group H of the Club World Cup, which also includes Al-Hilal and Red Bull Salzburg. The idea of the former Barcelona and PSG forward donning the colors of Pachuca to do so has captivated global attention.
At first, reports like the one from RTI Esporte suggested the Tuzos had opened talks with Neymar’s camp on May 28. But soon, a conflicting narrative emerged. RECORD and other outlets claimed it was actually the player’s team — specifically his father and agent — who had floated the idea, presenting his availability to nearly every club participating in the tournament, including Pachuca.
The proposal, however, came with a staggering price tag: $5.6 million for just one month of play — a figure that would make the ex-Barcelona and PSG star the highest-paid player in Liga MX history, even for a temporary stint.
What did Pachuca’s president say?
When asked about the possibility of signing the experienced veteran, Pachuca president Armando Martinez didn’t mince words. His now-viral four-word response to the rumors was direct, if not a touch amused: “Nobody offered us Neymar.” In a follow-up interview with Radio Formula, Martinez expanded on the club’s position:
“I think someone threw his name out there hoping another team in the tournament would bite. I don’t even use social media, and yet I started getting texts. Nobody offered us Neymar, nor did we go after him. To be honest, I even called Jesus (Martinez) to ask if it was true — because you never know with him — and he said, ‘Of course not, especially with everything we owe.’”
Martinez was even more categorical when speaking with ESPN: “No, there’s nothing there. We didn’t reach out to him and we didn’t ask about Neymar. The information isn’t true. Definitely, from Pachuca’s side, there’s nothing, there’s no interest. Of course, imagine, he’s a great player, but we aren’t in the same orbit.”
