Holy heroes, Herons! Inter Miami players' secret identities revealed! | OneFootball

Sony Pictures recently released a short trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day featuring Argentina and worldwide icon -- and Inter Miami captain -- Lionel Messi meeting the title character, presumably while in New York for the 2026 World Cup.

Messi's career has been magical; some might even say super-human. Which sparked our curiosity: If Messi were a superhero, which superhero would he be? And what about his teammates? What if they were a sort of jogo bonito Justice League? Just for fun, we came up with this secret-identity roll call for Las Garzas:

Lionel Messi -- When Messi arrived at Inter Miami, his first several goal celebrations featured homages to several Marvel characters, including Spider-Man using his web shooters. That memorable moment and the new movie trailer suggests the captain should be everybody's friendly neighborhood wallcrawler, but Messi can't be Spider-Man -- we've seen them together on screen!

Leo's nickname is La Pulga -- "the flea" -- for his ability to quickly change speed and direction, darting wildly through defenses with the ball until he finds a shot or pass. He's also on the smallish side for a professional athlete at 5-foot-7, 148 pounds. The combination of his quickness, low center of gravity and size reminded me of another Marvel character, Nightcrawler. The mutant's power allows him to quickly teleport through dimensions, and he's often shown dispatching multiple thugs quickly by appearing, attacking and disappearing so quickly his foes don't have time to defend themselves. That must be how defenders feel when Messi sprints between them >BAMF!< ball glued to his foot, appearing at just the right place >BAMF!< at the right moment to make the right play.

Roberto De Paul -- Despite being a world-class midfielder, De Paul is perhaps better known as "Messi's bodyguard" on the pitch for Argentina and Inter Miami. El Motorcito and La Pulga are close friends off the pitch as well, which helped convince De Paul to leave Atlético Madrid and join Messi in South Florida last summer. De Paul is the epitome of a character who could stand on his own but will always be remembered as Messi's sidekick; think Sam Wilson -- the most recent version of Marvel's Captain America -- who is better known as Falcon, long-time sidekick and friend to the original Captain America, Steve Rogers. Another possibility is DC Comics' Nightwing, formerly the original Robin, ward of Bruce Wayne, the Batman.

Inter Miami striker Luis Suárez flexes his bicep and points to the Uruguayan flag on his jersey during a Herons match in May. | Megan Briggs/GettyImages

Luis Suárez -- This uber-talented but controversial striker is DC's Lobo or Marvel's Wolverine. One of his generation's best strikers, his competitive nature has led to infamous losses of composure resulting in bites and spitting. Just the type of chaos the wolfy heroes embrace as a way of life.

Yannick Bright -- The Italian defensive midfielder plays with a style and demeanor that mirror Marvel's T'Challa, the Black Panther. He is strong, swift and agile, but he also plays with a dignified presence that helps cement the backline and a reliable efficiency that makes him a key part of the Herons' future.

Noah Allen -- If De Paul is Sam Wilson, Allen is Steve Rogers' Captain America. He's an Inter Miami homegrown player from Pembroke Pines who rose through the Inter Miami Academy to become a reliable piece to the Herons' puzzle. Noah has anchored the left side of the back line as a center back and a wing back, always reliably if not spectacularly and, at just 22, has shown enough leadership ability to wear the captain's armband when the veterans aren't on the pitch. Though he's Greek American and plays internationally for the Ethniki, Allen's bearing and commitment to his craft are purely all-American.

Maxi Falcón -- Is the Tasmanian Devil a superhero? Center back Falcón brings exactly that chaotic, wild enthusiasm to the pitch; not always to the Herons benefit.

Micael -- The 6-foot-3 Brazilian center back brings an imposing physical presence and athleticism to Miami's back line, much like Luke Cage, aka Power Man, hero for hire.

Tadeo Allende -- The speedy winger who scored a record nine goals in Miami's MLS Cup playoffs run last year has missed most of this season with a knee injury, but when he's healthy, he's the Herons greatest deep threat. He would definitely be the Flash; he runs fast (although we all wish his finishing was more consistent).

Dayne St. Clair -- The 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year for Minnesota United, St. Clair's form has dipped slightly while learning to work in a new defensive scheme with Inter Miami. But he's still one of the league's best shot stoppers, with reflexes and athleticism reminiscent of Spider-Man.

Ian Fray -- Fray is another homegrown fan favorite who has overcome several severe injuries -- including three ACL tears -- to become the Herons' starting right wing back. Does anybody remember the Six-Million-Dollar Man -- "We have the technology; we can rebuild him."

These are just some of the Herons whose playing style suggests comparisons to enhanced fictional characters. Nothing comes immediately to mind for Germán  Berterame , Gonzalo Luján, Rocco Ríos Novo, Mateo Silvetti, or some of the newer players, but if you have suggestions, send them to our social media accounts, @InterHeron on X or Inter Heron on Facebook.