It’s over 18 months since Lionel Messi made his iconic debut for Inter Miami and in that point the MLS outfit have undergone fairly the transformation.
Luis Suarez is among the many star names which were drafted in to assist Messi’s Inter Miami compete on the high finish of North American soccer. The Galactico coverage has proved profitable, with David Beckham’s newly-formed membership successful their first Supporters’ Defend final yr.
Messi, in true model, marked his debut in opposition to Mexican facet Cruz Azul with a last-minute winner, a peach of a free-kick. However what grew to become of the Inter Miami facet that featured in that 2-1 Leagues Cup victory?
We’ve revisited the beginning XI and checked in on the place each participant is at this time, a yr and a half later.
GK: Drake Callender
Callender has been with Inter Miami since their formation and stays on the membership at this time.
The 27-year-old is but to make his worldwide debut for the USA, however he did obtain a call-up and skilled with Gregg Berhalter’s squad for a pair of friendlies in August 2023.
He stood between the sticks as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC on penalties within the 2023 Leagues Cup remaining and began most weeks of their Supporters’ Defend victory final yr.
New boss Javier Mascherano referred to as upon 38-year-old veteran Oscar Ustari for the primary two MLS outings of 2025, however Callender was again on the bench on the weekend and is predicted to return to the fold following a minor muscle harm.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin
The previous Newcastle United right-back wore the armband throughout Messi’s early weeks on the membership, and the pair of them lifted the Leagues Cup collectively. However they didn’t overlap for all that lengthy within the Florida sunshine.
After two years with Inter Miami, Yedlin joined fellow recent-ish enlargement membership FC Cincinnati forward of the 2024 MLS season.
“Simply his total vibe and perspective … he’s at all times smiling, he talks to everyone,” Yedlin mentioned of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“He may have are available and mentioned, ‘I’m doing stuff my manner and that’s the way it’s going to be.’ However he’s are available and he’s fully blended in with the group: the previous guys, the younger guys, identical to an everyday participant.
“Clearly I had ridiculous respect for him as a participant earlier than I performed with him, however I’ve much more respect for him now. He’s an unbelievable human being.”
CB: Kamal Miller (Christopher McVey, ’74)
Skilled Canada worldwide Miller solely spent one season with Inter Miami. He left alongside Yedlin final winter, becoming a member of Portland Timbers.
Swedish defender McVey additionally left in 2024. He spent a season with D.C. United and has not too long ago joined Western Convention outfit San Diego FC.
CB: Serhiy Kryvtsov
Veteran Ukraine worldwide Kryvtsov joined Inter Miami in 2022, having gained seven Ukrainian Premier League titles and 7 Ukrainian Cups throughout his prime years at Shakhtar Donetsk.
He noticed out his two-year contract in Miami and has not too long ago been launched. The 33-year-old is a free agent and is at present searching for a brand new membership.
LB: Ian Fray (Noah Allen, ’30)
Two separate cruciate ligament accidents have stunted Fray’s early growth at Inter Miami, however the homegrown utility man remains to be solely 22 and has time on his facet to place these behind him.
He’s featured in each MLS outings to this point this season however a straight purple card in Sunday’s 4-1 victory at Houston Dynamo will hold him out of motion for the foreseeable.
Twenty-year-old USA youth worldwide Allen has not too long ago made the swap to symbolize Greece. He stays at Inter Miami and appears set for a much less peripheral function this season, having performed each minute of the marketing campaign to this point.
READ: The 12 most useful gamers within the MLS in 2025: The place does Lionel Messi rank?
DM: Dixon Arroyo
One other stop-gap signing, Arroyo has spent the whole thing of his skilled profession in his house nation of Ecuador barring the 2023 season he spent with Miami.
Final yr he signed for Barcelona… S.C., the Ecuadorian Serie A membership primarily based in Guayaquil.
CM: Benjamin Cremaschi (Lionel Messi, ’54)
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Cremaschi has represented his hometown membership since earlier than Messi’s arrival.
The 20-year-old midfielder already has three senior caps below his belt for the USA and can absolutely be a giant a part of Inter Miami’s future after this era of ageing ex-Barca previous boys hold up their boots.
Messi, in the meantime, is into the final yr of his contract with Inter Miami. He’s notched 36 objectives and 20 assists in simply 42 appearances for the membership, beginning as he meant to go on:
LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/2mBDI41mLy
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) July 22, 2023
CM: David Ruiz (Sergio Busquets, ’54)
Like Cremaschi, Fray and Allen, Honduras worldwide Ruiz is one other younger, rising star that may little doubt study so much from taking part in alongside these skilled greats of the European recreation.
The 21-year-old can be hoping to nail down an everyday beginning spot below Mascherano this season.
Busquets additionally made his debut that evening for Inter Miami and was launched alongside his previous Barcelona pal early within the second half. The 36-year-old stays a lynchpin of their midfield, and can also be into the final yr of his contract.
FWR: Robbie Robinson
Robinson fell out of favour at Inter Miami final season, failing to play a single minute within the 2024 MLS marketing campaign.
The winger’s contract was terminated by mutual consent final June and he’s been and not using a membership ever since.
ST: Leonardo Campana (Josef Martinez, ’55)
You may bear in mind Campana’s title from his time on the periphery at Wolves. The Ecuadorian striker was talked up as one to observe, however he by no means made an look for the Premier League membership amid a collection of loans away.
After scoring 11 objectives in 26 appearances for Inter Miami on mortgage in 2022, the transfer was made everlasting. However he wasn’t fairly as prolific in subsequent years and have become extra of an affect sub.
In December he joined New England Revolution for $2.5 million, making it a record-breaking home deal.
Venezuela worldwide Martinez is the one present energetic MLS participant with over 100 objectives within the competitors, however his stint with Inter Miami was brief and candy.
After 5 nice years at Atlanta United, the striker has turn into one thing of a journeyman. He lasted only one yr at CF Montreal and has not too long ago joined San Jose Earthquakes, the fourth MLS membership he’s represented in as a few years.
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FWL: Robert Taylor
The Finnish winger stays at Inter Miami, having notched over 100 matches for the membership since 2022.
Each of his MLS appearances below Mascherano have been off the bench.
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