Inter Miami may be experiencing a very poor season on the pitch, but they are about to become the hottest property in Major League Soccer with the addition of arguably the greatest player of all time.
After sacking manager Phil Neville in June, the Florida-based franchise, who are co-owned by former Manchester United and Real Madrid star David Beckham, have secured the signings of some legends of the game to Miami to help turn their fortunes around. Former Barcelona boss Gerard Martino is the new man in the dugout and he’ll enjoy the company of some of Europe’s finest in the States.
We’ll keep track of the latest transfer developments with all the confirmed Inter Miami new signings and potential deals.
The confirmed transfer ins and outs at Inter Miami are as follows.
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Inter Miami new signings: Summer 2023 arrivals
Lionel Messi
Despite major interest from Saudi Arabia and a proposal to return to Barcelona, Lionel Messi opted to make the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida his new home this summer. It’s a landmark moment for the sport in the United States and the Argentine legend is sure to be followed by huge crowds wherever he and his new Inter Miami team go.
While Messi’s time in Paris ended in disappointing fashion, the 2022 World Cup winner is still favourite to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or which will take into account events in Qatar at the end of last year. He was still posting impressive figures in France with 16 goals and 16 assists in his final Ligue 1 season but the move to Inter Miami, currently one of the very worst MLS teams, will provide a different kind of challenge to what Messi has been accustomed to in Europe.
The Argentine made his debut for Inter Miami in dramatic fashion, scoring a last gasp free kick to win his new side the game.
There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe this man! 🐐
Lionel Messi. 94th minute. You know the rest…@MLS pic.twitter.com/bjIR4Uegh8
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 22, 2023
Since making his debut, the World Cup winner has scored a monstrous seven goals and recorded one assists in just four appearances, not many can be too surprised of his instant impact.
Sergio Busquets
Messi will have at least one familiar figure in the Inter Miami dressing room. Sergio Busquets, his teammate at Barcelona, has joined the proceedings in America.
One of the great holding midfielders of his generation, Busquets was still a key player for Barça in the 2022/23 season as Xavi’s side got their hands on the Spanish title once more. Financial restraints meant any continuation for Busquets would have involved a massive pay cut and he has ultimately decided to call time on his career in La Liga for a new adventure across the Atlantic.
The midfielder made his debut alongside Messi in the late victory against Cruz Azul, representing a side domestically other than Barcelona for the first time in his senior career. The 35-year-old made 722 appearances for his former club, before embarking on his new journey.
Jordi Alba
To complete the trio of infamous free transfers, Tata will have the chance to reconnect the talents of Messi and Busquets alongside Jordi Alba, who has completed his move to Inter Miami.
Jordi Alba officially joins Inter Miami.
The Barcelona ➡️ Miami movement continues 🌴 pic.twitter.com/cb9e8x0IiN
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 20, 2023
The 34-year-old, like the other former Barcelona stars, will bring a monumental amount of experience and skill to Miami on the back of a highly decorated career in Europe where he was consistently recognised as one of the best left-backs in the continent.
There aren’t many stronger trio's to obtain on a free transfer, in a triple swoop that could be fundamental to the club turning their season around.
Diego Gomez
While the zero costing moves in the market have created waves in Miami, the club weren’t afraid to spend where necessary, with Paraguayan central midfielder Diego Gomez joining the club from Club Libertad this week.
Oficial ✍🇵🇾 Bienvenido Diego!
We have officially signed Paraguayan international Diego Gómez to a contract running through the 2026 season. The central midfielder joins the Club as part of MLS’ U-22 initiative. Find out all the details here: https://t.co/SyAXtq4k96 pic.twitter.com/8G3wFqN42t
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 20, 2023
The 20-year-old shone in his home country for Libertad last term, scoring four goals and registering three assists in 26 appearances from midfield.
In a deal worth $3m, Tata will have a young talent to work with and develop alongside the three established stars welcomed alongside him during the break in play, with him set to join the club’s U22 side.
Facundo Farias
The club’s U22 set-up has been bolstered alongside the first team, with Messi not being the only Argentine attacker arriving Stateside. CA Colon attacking midfielder Facundo Farias arrived at Inter Miami from his homeland, signing a deal until 2026 with the plan to play in the academy.
The 20-year-old midfielder made eight appearances at senior level in the Argentina Liga Professional, registering one assist before making the move to the MLS.
Tomas Aviles
Farias will be joined by fellow countryman Tomas Aviles in the U22 side, as the 19-year-old has made the switch from Racing Club to join Inter Miami’s academy. Like Farias, the centre-back has signed a deal taking his stay to 2026.
The teenager made an impressive 20 senior appearances for Racing Club in all competitions last season, and will now begin his journey in Miami in the bid to work his way up from youth level.
As well as transfers, three players are due to return from loan after time away from Miami to develop, the following players have rejoined from their respective spells.
Jake LaCava – Tampa Bay Rowdies
Joining Inter Miami as part of the expansion draft trade, Jake LaCava for around £200k. Jake LaCava was with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Championship playing 39 times, scoring 13 and assisting 6 times. LaCava played a part in helping the Rowdies reach the Eastern Conference Final. LaCava is yet to make his MLS debut.
Inter Miami departures: Summer 2023 exits
Rodolfo Pizarro – AEK Athens
Attacking midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro has exited to seek a new adventure in Greece. The 29-year-old joined AEK Athens on a free transfer after making a total of 62 appearances for Miami where he scored seven goals and registered 10 assists.
Nick Marsman – Free Agent
It was announced this week that goalkeeper Nick Marsman has had the buyout clause in his contract activated. The 32-year-old is now a free agent after his stay in Miami was terminated, with the club announcing that Drake Callender will, as expected, take his place in the squad.
There was some speculation over the nature of the termination, after the Dutchman made some public controversial comments over the club’s signing of Messi, however following the rise in form of Callender, his exit is warranted for on-field reasons too.
