A transformed team, with the same excessive ambition
Two years after the arrival of Lionel Messi, Inter Miami remained silent. MLS won. But the veterans who accompanied him on that initial adventure, like Busquets and Alba, have already retired. Now, the Herons are more dynamic. And younger.
“The challenge is to compete for everything, as we did last year,” said their coach Javier Mascherano. “And try to be a competitive team and continue obtaining titles.”
The winning mentality did not change. Just the team. And the objectives expanded.
Not just defending the title: CONCACAF and a new stadium
Ambition no longer fits only in the MLS. They have their sights on the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they will debut in March. And on the horizon shines the Miami Freedom Park, its new 350 million stadium that will open in April.
Meanwhile, they will start the season with five straight away games. An early test.
Mascherano already began to change the pieces in the last playoffs, giving more opportunities to young people like Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti. The signing of forward Germán Berterame adds more offensive power.
The renovation is profound: Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, full-backs like Sergio Reguilón (injured) arrived, and the purchase of midfielder Rodrigo De Paul became permanent.
The great unknown: managing the boss
The most delicate task for Mascherano is to measure Messi. The Argentine star, who will turn 39 this year, suffered a muscle strain on a tour of South America but is expected to play this Saturday against LAFC.
His participation in the next World Cup with Argentina seems a fact, although he has not officially confirmed it.
“Why not?” Mascherano responded when asked if Messi will play in the World Cup. “No one knows their body better than them… we have to try to find a balance.”
A unique context: the MLS before its World Cup
This will be the 31st season of the MLS, a league that was born after the 1994 World Cup in the USA. The next two years are key, with the momentum of the first World Cup organized by three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Starting in 2027, the league will change its schedule to align with Europe, playing between July and April.
“The World Cup will accelerate the growth of soccer in North America in a way never seen before,” predicted commissioner Don Garber.
Meanwhile, other teams also strengthened. James Rodríguez arrived at Minnesota United to find rhythm before the World Cup with Colombia. Timo Werner signed for the San Jose Earthquakes.
Almost a third of the teams have a new coach, including Gerardo Martino, who returns to Atlanta United.
The message is clear: Inter Miami reinvented itself to not settle for what it had achieved. The champion wants more.




