da esoccer bet： The Argentine magician is spearheading a revolution at DRV PNK Stadium, but more reinforcements may be needed when the transfer market reopens
da prosport bet： Inter Miami have gone from being known as little more than David Beckham legacy project to the most popular MLS team on the planet in the space of just 11 months, all thanks to their capture of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. The World Cup winner completed a free transfer to Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, turning his back on European football after almost two decades of unprecedented success and adulation, but instantly made it clear he wasn't in the United States to wind down towards retirement.
With the help of former Blaugrana teammates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi went on to inspire Miami to its first-ever piece of silverware in the 2023 Leagues Cup, and although the team missed out on the MLS playoffs as the Argentine struggled with a series of injuries, the foundations were put in place for a very bright future.
Tata Martino was able to add another seven new players to his squad in the 2024 primary transfer window, including another Barcelona icon in the form of Luis Suarez and Paraguay international Matias Roja, which has only increased the level of expectation at DRV PNK Stadium.
Miami's all-star side, who might as well be called 'The Florida Globetrotters' at this point, have lived up to the hype in the early stages of the 2024 season. They are sitting top of the Eastern Conference after 12 games, mainly thanks to Messi's brilliance, and will believe they can go on and lift the MLS Cup come November.
However, the Herons may need a bit more depth to achieve that goal, and while they currently don't have any more international roster spots left to fill, that doesn't mean that they couldn't maneuver themselves into a position to pick up another high-profile name.
GOAL takes a look at Inter Miami's potential summer targets, starting with one of Messi's former foes…
Getty ImagesSergio Ramos (Sevilla)
Ramos enjoyed a host of fascinating battles with Messi during his time at Real Madrid, but they became allies after he joined the Argentina star at PSG in 2021. They won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles together at Parc des Princes, with Ramos eventually admitting he sees Messi as the greatest player ever ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The defender followed Messi out of PSG last summer and also generated links with Miami, but ended up returning to boyhood club Sevilla, where he has been able to play regularly again after suffering with seemingly endless fitness issues in France. The 38-year-old is set to drop into the free agency pool again at the end of the season, and it has been reported that he is on the radar of several clubs in Saudi Arabia.
However, Miami are also said to have revived their interest in Ramos, who has sent his agent to visit a number of different MLS franchises. Ramos may be well past his peak, but he's still a solid all-round centre-half and an impressive technician, and could add extra steel to the Herons' troublesome backline if they can get a deal over the line.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLuka Modric (Real Madrid)
Luka Modric will see his glittering 12-year career at Real Madrid end this summer, with the Spanish giants having opted against extending his contract, and it has been reported that both Miami and the LA Galaxy could make a move for the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner.
Madrid haven't been quite as reliant on Modric in 2023-24 due to the emergence of Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham's outstanding displays, but he remains a world-class playmaker who can dictate the pace of any game with his unrivalled passing range.
Miami would not want for experience with Modric partnering Busquets in the base of their midfield, and together they could help promising youngsters like David Ruiz and Benjamin Cremaschi reach their potential. It would also be fascinating to see Modric and Messi in the same team, though the Croatian did famously say back in 2018 that he would "never" play with Cristiano Ronaldo's eternal rival.
GettySergi Roberto (Barcelona)
Sergio Roberto has also been tipped to join Miami's contingent of ex-Barcelona superstars, and it has been suggested that he turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia in February because he wants to reunite with Messi in MLS.
However, a lot has changed for Barcelona since then, with head coach Xavi reversing his decision to step down at the end of the season amid an impressive upturn in results and performances, and Roberto has been pivotal to their revival. The Spaniard is still the Blaugrana captain, too, and said after their recent 4-2 win against Valencia: "We believe we can compete for everything next year."
Barca have reportedly reopened contract extension talks with Roberto, but they remain in financial disarray, and he could still end up leaving the club in June. Miami will be on red alert in case that happens, and Roberto would easily be able to slot into Martino's starting XI alongside his old team-mates.
(C)GettyImagesNeymar (Al-Hilal)
Miami co-owner Beckham sent social media into a frenzy when he shared a photo of Neymar joining him and his wife Victoria Beckham for dinner in Miami in March, one month after the Brazilian's admission that he hopes to play with Messi again before he hangs up his boots.
No official transfer enquires have been reported at this stage, with Neymar still sitting on the sidelines at Al-Hilal while he recovers from knee surgery, but it wouldn't be surprising if Beckham had sounded him out over a potential switch to Florida. When fully fit, the 32-year-old remains one of the most devastatingly brilliant players on the planet, as he proved in his final season at PSG, and could potentially wreak havoc in MLS.
Realistically, though, a deal probably won't be agreed this summer. Neymar's physical problems are still a major concern and Miami can't cover his lucrative salary demands, with Messi, Leonardo Campana and Busquets currently filling their Designated Player slots.