Pachuca is aiming to strengthen its squad as much as possible ahead of the Club World Cup and hasn’t ruled out turning to South America to find a player who fits the bill. According to Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte, the club is eyeing Neymar—though there isn’t much optimism surrounding the move.
RTI Esporte reports that Neymar’s father, who also acts as his agent, didn’t offer much hope during initial talks due to financial concerns, suggesting Pachuca wouldn’t be able to meet the 33-year-old’s salary demands. The club reached out to him directly to gather information before making any formal offer.
Another hurdle is Neymar’s desire to play the tournament with a team that has a genuine shot at winning it. Pachuca has been drawn into a tough group that includes Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, and Salzburg—part of a broader field that also features Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca, Al-Ain, and Juventus.
RTI Esporte also notes that Neymar is eager to return to European football. His representatives have already reached out to clubs in Spain, England, and Italy, but have faced rejection across the board. Still, they remain hopeful that an opportunity in Europe might arise.
All these factors make Neymar’s signing with Pachuca—whose Club World Cup debut is set for June 18 against Salzburg at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati—highly unlikely. That said, Mexican football has seen its share of surprises. A decade ago, for instance, Ronaldinho signed with Querétaro and led the team to a final in his second tournament. Until anything is confirmed, nothing can be ruled out.