The club has swung big by bringing in a trio of ex-Barcelona stars, but the younger additions could be just as vital
It's been a summer of change at Inter Miami, to say the least. If you know even the slightest bit about sports in general, you'll know that Lionel Messi has arrived in MLS, bringing with him a level of attention never before seen in American soccer. Not even David Beckham captured the imagination quite like Messi, who, in only two games, has already put his stamp on his new team.
Messi, though, isn't the only addition to Miami's team this summer. He's the biggest, for sure, and certainly the most important but, with the club languishing in last place in the Eastern Conference, Inter Miami have brought in a series of new signings.
From familiar faces to rising stars, Miami has only just begun to fill out its roster, giving Messi plenty of different players to work with as he looks to dominate in MLS. But who are the club's summer signings and what position should we expect them to take on the field for Inter Miami? GOAL takes a look…
GettyLionel Messi
We'll start with the main man himself: Messi. The Argentine needs no introduction, so we won't waste time listing out his many accolades. But, while there may not be a need to get into Messi's past, it is worth discussing both the present and the future.
In Miami, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino will no doubt look to use Messi in a variety of ways. He can either play on the right-hand side, much as he has for most of his career, or he could be deployed centrally as a No.10. No matter where he plays, he won't need to do much defending. No, for Messi, the mandate is clear: go out and get us goals.
It didn't take long to do just that, as he scored three and assisted two more in his first game-and-a-half in Inter Miami pink.
AdvertisementGettySergio Busquets
Another familiar face, Busquets, like Messi, already has an untouchable legacy. The ex-Barcelona star is among the best midfielders of his generation, having run the middle of the field for both club and country for over a decade. Few players in the history of the game have had a better pure understanding of the sport than Busquets, whose tactical knowledge and positioning is second to none.
That knowledge will buy him a few extra years as he inevitably slows down physically, although he'll certainly need some runners next to him in the midfield. He'll be deployed as a No.6 , either by himself or with another, as he looks to dictate the game from a deeper position.
The early results have been good, as Busquets' technical skill has been on full display as he's duelled with Atlanta United and Cruz Azul, taking advantage of the increased space and time compared to what he's seen in the highest levels of the game.
Getty ImagesJordi Alba
Only one more Barcelona star, we promise. Alba, like his long-time team-mates, was among the best in his position for a long time, holding down that left-hand side at the Camp Nou for years. He's certainly slowed down a bit but, in a league that doesn't place much of an emphasis on big-money full-backs, he'll instantly be right there as the best in MLS.
The Spanish star will take up a spot on that left flank, with U.S. men's national team veteran DeAndre Yedlin on the opposite side of the defense. In front of Alba will likely be the next player on this list, a young future star who will look to benefit from all of the superstar talent around him…
GettyFacundo Farias
What a situation Farias is walking into. The 20-year-old Argentinian starlet will now be learning from the very best as he looks to take the next step on his own path to the top.
The winger was signed for a reported $5 million transfer fee with potential incentives, as Inter Miami secured the signing of one of the top young stars in Argentina. He scored 16 goals with nine assists during his time with Colon, having joined the first team in 2019. And he already has three goals in eight appearances in the Copa Libertadores, having proven he can play at the highest levels in South America.
Farias had previously been linked with both Boca Juniors and River Plate, having drawn comparisons with Carlos Tevez, but a knee injury in 2022 dashed any hopes of a move to one of the giants. Instead, he'll now play with the biggest giant of Argentine soccer in Messi, and he'll almost certainly occypy the left flank opposite the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner on the right.
