Lionel Messi’s future, squad depth issues, Herons on international break

Another week, another swing on the pendulum of sporting emotion for Inter Miami. Just seven days on from victory over DC United - finally, a win without Lionel Messi - a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of New York Red Bulls showed just how much they miss Lionel Messi.

The Herons were without a number of likely starters due to the international break but the scale of the drop-off to Tata Martino’s back-up options is a major cause for concern. They have at least managed to add a right back in the form of Marcelo Weigandt, but question marks remain over this team’s ability to compete across a whole season.

Anyway, without any further ado, here’s your Miami Missive for Friday, 29 March...

Inter Miami squad depth found lacking

At points of last season it looked like an admittedly successful Inter Miami side had become overly dependent on the other-worldly talents of Lionel Messi. The Argentine has now been absent for both of Inter Miami’s 2024 defeats but last weekend’s loss to NYRB also showed the team’s reliance on the energy brought by it’s young stars.

Three young midfielders - David Ruiz, Diego Gomez and Federico Redondo - were all away on international duty over the international break and the absence of their physicality was painfully apparent at Red Bulls Arena. In the previous week’s 3-1 victory over DC United Gomez and Redondo were fielded either side of Sergio Busquets, proving the physical attributes that the Spaniard has either lost or, perhaps, never had in the first place.

Their midfield dynamism not only eases the burden on Busquets, but also prevents the defence being swamped by runners from midfield; a constant source of troubles for Miami.

Herons side-lined on international duty

The loss of players to international duty will have been a frustration for Tata Martino and the absentee Herons failed to make an impact for their respective nations. The most successful of the internationals was goalkeeper Drake Callender, who picked up the CONCACAF Nations League with the United States. However the 26-year-old was an unused substitute in both Games.

Young midfielder David Ruiz made one substitute appearance for Honduras, playing 25 minutes in a defeat to Costa Rica. Diego Gomez’s international break saw even less action, after Paraguay’s international friendly against Russia was cancelled. Neither Shanyder Borgelin (Haiti) nor Israel Boatright (Dominican Republic) could make a real impact for their respective nations.

The most notable international break involvement for Inter Miami was as hosts. Chase Stadium was the venue for a friendly fixture between Italy and Venezuela, with the reigning European champions running out 2-1 winners thanks to a brace from Argentina-born Mateo Retegui. Former Real Salt Lake star Jefferson Savarino scored the goal for Venezuala.

Lionel Messi on NFL interest and Barca reminiscing

He’s been in the country for less than a year, but already Lionel Messi is starting to take an interest in the most American of past times. The Inter Miami captain revealed in a recent interview that he has a growing interest in NFL.

When asked about his non-soccer sporting interests, Messi told the Big Time podcast: “Tennis, padel, basketball, and also American football. I am learning a lot about American football and have come to understand it more and enjoying it.”

He also reflected on his time in Spain, a trophy-laden two decades with Barcelona, and the challenges he faced as a teenager trying to adapt

“For me, it was difficult when I arrived in Barcelona. I was a child and had to adapt to new friends, a new country, a new city, new people, a new school. It was challenging at first, but I thought I was doing what I wanted, playing football, in a great team like Barcelona, and that enabled me to move forward. It was impressive, and I enjoyed it very much. I have always been treated very well in Barcelona, and I am grateful to them.”

He continued: “The transition to leaving for PSG was difficult because I was very happy in Barcelona and intended to stay there. I wasn’t prepared to leave; everything happened very quickly, and I had to rebuild my life overnight. I got to know another league, another club, a new locker room. It was a change we didn’t seek, and that’s why it was difficult at first.”