In reality, the deal seems doomed from the beginning, but in this instance, one less global superstar making his way to North America is good news. Neymar, for all his fame and popularity, would be a failed signing for the league.

But sources with ESPN in Brazil have tempered expectations over a move to MLS for Neymar, adding that if he were to play in the U.S., he still held out hope of signing with Inter Miami.

It’s unclear which other MLS clubs are having talks with Neymar as the Chicago Fire are the only ones to be named. While it would be incredible to see Neymar reunited with Messi and company, new Herons head coach Javier Mascherano said that the MLS salary rules have made it “impossible” to acquire the Brazilian.