The deal to bring superstar forward Lionel Messi to Inter Miami will likely go down as the biggest coup in the history of the MLS.
Ever since the Florida franchise was established back in 2018, it has been the ambition of co-owner David Beckham to secure the services of a bona fide star of the game. Seeing off strong competition for the 35-year-old's signature, the former England captain now has his wish in the form of maybe the greatest footballer to have ever walked the planet.
For a while, it appeared as though a move to join old rival Cristiano Ronaldo and current Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia was in the offing for the Argentinian icon. On top of this, an emotional return to Barcelona also looked to be a potential option for Messi, especially after his father and agent revealed that his son 'would love' a reunion at the club where he spent 17 years.
One senses that the decision to sign for Inter Miami may be one that balances both sporting and personal ambitions for Messi. Ultimately, the opportunity to move to a league where he could benefit from several lucrative commercial partnerships and the chance to settle in a city where he already owns a property proved too hard to resist.
On the pitch, there is no getting away from the fact that the Herons are in a dire need of a lift. In fact, the past week has probably been one of the most tumultuous in the club's history to date, with coach Phil Neville having been sacked following a dire run of form.
Alarmingly, the Vice City outfit currently sit rock bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference after five defeats in a row and only five wins out of 16 matches so far this term. The arrival of the legendary Messi at the DRV PNK Stadium, will therefore come as a welcome morale boost to a group of players who have struggled this season under the former Lionesses coach.
Below, Mirror Sport takes a look at some of the players Messi will now call teammates in America after his huge move.
DeAndreYedlin
The former Tottenham and Newcastle right-back signed for Inter Miami from Galatasaray back in 2022, with the American surprisingly not counting as a Designated Player. The reliable 78-time international has played 49 times for the club in the MLS.
Leonardo Campana
The forward was something of a coup for the Herons when he signed permanently from Wolves in January after a successful loan spell where he scored 11 times in 26 MLS appearances. The 22-yar-old forward never made an appearance at Molyneux but has been impressive this term again as a Young Designated Player, scoring three times in 7.
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Harvey Neville
The latest professional sportsperson to emerge from the Neville family, 20-year-old Harvey Neville is the son of former Inter Miami coach Phil. A defender, like his father and uncle Gary, Harvey Neville was a Manchester United youth team ace but left his boyhood club to head to the States. he has made 11 appearances in the MLS so far for the Herons but was recently booed during a substitute appearance against New York Red Bulls as fans aimed frustrations at his dad's managerial record in his direction.
Rodolfo Pizarro
Signed as the club's second Designated Player, Rodolfo Pizarro arrived with real pedigree from Mexican side Monterrey. A 37-time Mexico international, the attacking midfielder has played 51 times in the MLS for Inter Miami, scoring six goals and has previously been nominated for the Landon Donovan MVP Award.
Gregore
Club captain Gregore is an uncompromising defensive midfield anchorman and arrived at Inter Miami back in 2021 after playing over 100 games in Brazil's Serie A. The 29-year-old has played 62 times for the Herons and was named the club's MVP for 2021.
Josef Martinez
The diminutive forward Josef Martinez has a strong reputation in the MLS, having scored 100 goals in the MLS faster than any single player in league history and more hattricks than any player in the league's history. The 68-time Venezuela international spent six seasons at Atlanta United before moving to Inter Miami, where he has scored three goals so far.