Is This the Last Gasp for Inter Miami? | OneFootball

It looks like 2025 could be the end of an era for MLS’ second-most valuable franchise.

Adios, Sergio & Jordi

Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, two of the , both confirmed their intent to retire at the end of the season. Busquets wasn’t a surprise. His contract expires in December, and he made it very clear back in September he would not extend.

Jordi Alba, whose announcement came yesterday, was a shocking and unexpected blow. In May, he signed a multi-year extension with Miami and was then quoted: “I’m happy to renew my contract because I have the desire to continue competing, and because of how I feel at the club… We have that desire to continue competing, to continue winning, and, hopefully, win as many titles as possible.”

But in his Instagram post, his words were carefully chosen: “The time has come to close a truly meaningful chapter of my life. I do so with complete conviction, with peace, and with happiness. I feel I’ve walked this path with every ounce of passion I had. And now it’s the right moment to open a new chapter and close the previous one with the best possible feeling.”

The Loss Will be Felt

The departure of two legends, both of whom are among the greatest in their respective positions, will impact the team. Busquets just played his 100th game, recording one goal but sixteen assists. Alba currently sits on 97 games, with an impressive fourteen goals and twenty-nine assists. Remember, he’s a defender!

When you factor in that many of those assists were to Messi, it makes you question who will pick up that slack? There’s also the wealth of experience and leadership they bring. That isn’t easily replaceable.

An Unraveling of the Messi Effect

It’s difficult to properly quantify the impact of Lionel Messi’s June 2023 announcement that he would join Inter Miami. Out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain, he could have gone anywhere. Ruling out a return to Barcelona, and rejecting obscene wads of cash from Al Hilal, his move exploded Inter Miami into the global soccer stratosphere. Add to this the July 15 bombshell that he would be joined by former Barcelona teammates and Spanish national team legends Busquets and Alba and folks lost their minds.

Overnight, ticket sales (and resale value) skyrocketed. Messi’s jersey became the fastest selling kit in 24 hours. Bandwagon fans jumped on board the Miami train, certain that a future of trophies and glory would follow.

Alas, this was not that case. Despite having one the greatest soccer trios, plus the addition of Luis Suárez in 2024, Inter Miami have never lived up to their grandiose expectations. Their Leagues Cup win in 2023, and a Supporters Shield in 2024, are the only hardware in the Miami trophy case. Along the road are the ruins of trophies that might have been: MLS Cup, CONCACAF Cup, Club World Cup.

Trouble in the Heron’s Camp

The big question is why has Alba made this sudden u-turn? Is this a consequence of the rumored turmoil in the Miami locker room? Manager Javier Mascherano isn’t the most beloved figure. Homegrown star Benjamin Cremaschi specifically listed “uncertainty” under Mascherano’s leadership as a reason he requested a loan to Parma back in August. Has the “desire to continue competing” Alba referenced in May evaporated after they lost the Supporter’s Shield race?

And what does this mean for Messi’s future? He’s also out of contract come December, and is keeping his cards close.

All this hubbub puts added pressure on the club as they head into the post-season. It truly looks like MLS Cup 2025 could be the last hurrah for this special set of players.