Won 5 Champions Leagues, could join Inter Miami with Messi | OneFootball

Javier Mascherano’s squad is looking to add more quality and is competing with LA Galaxy to sign a star from European football.

As the 2025 MLS champions, Inter Miami began the new season with a major international setback. Led by Lionel Messi, the team lost to Nashville in the Concachampions round of 16, putting an end to their first big objective of the year.

CONCACAF’s international tournament remains elusive for the Herons, who have continued to grow by leaps and bounds since Messi’s arrival at the club. Although Javier Mascherano’s squad already has one of the most talented rosters in MLS, the front office wants even more.

The departure of Sergio Busquets left an important spot in the team’s midfield unfilled. To address that, outlets such as Sports Illustrated and The New York Times reported that Inter Miami has Casemiro on its shortlist to join the club this year.

The Brazilian midfielder, a Real Madrid icon where he won the Champions League five times, currently has a secondary role at Manchester United, with only a few months left on his contract there. Having turned 34 in February, he is ready for a new challenge.

Given his age, there are few destinations that can offer Casemiro a high salary. That is why Inter Miami and LA Galaxy are negotiating for his signing, putting a substantial wage on the table, since he would arrive as a free agent.

Mascherano’s options in midfield

So far, the Little Chief has three options when it comes to players who can operate as defensive midfielders: David Ayala, David Ruiz, and Yannick Bright. In the series against Nashville, Mascherano chose to pair Bright with Rodrigo De Paul in front of the back line.

However, Inter Miami is expected to raise the bar and push in the transfer market to find a replacement for Sergio Busquets, who retired from football after winning the MLS title.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.