Lionel Messi’s new club Inter Miami: Team-mates, trophies, tickets, stadium & everything Inter Miami squad in full
Inter Miami squad in full
Position Players
Goalkeepers Callender, Marsman
Defenders Negri, McVey, Yedlin, Kryvtsov, Sailor
Midfielders Mota, Gregore, Pizarro, Ulloa, Jean, Duke, Cremaschi, Neville, Duke
Forwards Martinez, Lassiter, Campana
What is Inter Miami’s nickname?
Inter Miami have the nickname ‘The Herons’ after the White Heron birds that are found across the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region. The Herons are also visible in the club’s crest and appear as their mascot as well.
Here’s everything you need to know about Inter Miami after Lionel Messi confirmed he is joining the David Beckham-owned MLS club in July.
Regarded by many as the best player in history, Lionel Messi has revealed his intentions to join Inter Miami and compete in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
It will be South Beach, not Saudi Arabia, where Messi will showcase his talents for the rest of 2023, with the Argentine leaving life in Europe behind having achieved legendary status at Barcelona before his two-year spell at Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter Miami is one of the newer clubs to have appeared in MLS, with their first playing season having taken place just three years ago in 2020. There may be a lot of unknowns about the Herons for Messi and his legion of supporters across the globe, so we’re here to help.
What competitions do Inter Miami compete in?
Inter Miami currently participate in Major League Soccer in the United States. The league serves as the top flight for a combination of teams from the United States and Canada. There are 29 teams participating in the league divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences. Inter Miami are part of the Eastern Conference as the club is situated in Florida on the eastern coast of the USA.
The ‘Herons’ also participate in the U.S Open Cup, which is the national cup competition for the clubs from MLS and the second tier, the USL Championship.
Miami, as of June 8, 2023, are still in the competition having booked their place in the semi-final of the cup after a win against USL Championship side, Birmingham Legion.
In July, Messi’s new club will also participate in the third edition of the Leagues Cup, an annual tournament that brings together teams from MLS and Liga MX, the top professional soccer league in Mexico. This inter-league competition is scheduled to take place from July 21 to August 19, 2023 and could well be the setting for the Argentine’s highly-anticipated Miami debut.
Messi’s new club could also potentially qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup next season, if they win the US Open Cup. The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the continental competition between clubs in the CONCACAF region and, in MLS, the MLS Cup winners and the respective leaders of the two conferences from the previous season receive a direct berth alongside the winner of the U.S. Open Cup.
Get to know Messi’s new team-mates
Inter Miami’s most well-known player before the signing of Messi was his compatriot, Gonzalo Higuain. However, at the end of the 2022 season, the former Juventus and Chelsea forward decided to call time on his illustrious career.
While there have been rumours in the air about David Beckham’s club also looking to target some of Messi’s former team-mates, including Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Angel Di Maria, it remains to be seen who will actually join the Argentine on his Miami quest.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will, however, join forces with Josef Martinez, who holds the record as the most decorated single-season player in MLS history by winning the League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot, and MLS Cup Final MVP.
He will also join fellow Argentines Franco Negri and Nicolas Stefanelli, former Newcastle full-back DeAndre Yedlin and ex-Wolves man, Leonardo Campana.
Despite his father’s departure as manager, Phil Neville’s son Harvey Neville is also still on Miami’s books.
What trophies have Inter Miami won?
Although Inter Miami was formed as a club in 2018, they only started playing in 2020 and have failed to win a trophy in their short life so far. However, in 2022, the Herons did make an appearance in the MLS Playoffs, albeit losing in the first round against a dominant New York City FC.
As for the U.S. Open Cup, the South Florida club only reached the quarter-final once, back in 2022. However, they are currently in the semi-final of the 2023 US Open Cup, which could represent their first proper chance of silverware, with Messi leading the charge.
How many South Americans live in Miami?
Miami boasts a notable populace of South Americans. The city continues to attract people from diverse Latin American nations, with many South Americans living in the area.
Based on statistics obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau from 2019, the Miami metropolitan area has a foreign-born population of approximately 2.8 million individuals. While this includes residents from all corners of the globe, it is reasonable to assume that a number of inhabitants are from South America.
Miami’s diverse culture and its geographic proximity to Latin America appeals to South American people, with opportunities for employment in domains such as commerce, finance, tourism and other industries.
How to buy tickets to Inter Miami matches
To purchase tickets for Inter Miami games, you can visit Ticketmaster. The MLS regular season is set to continue until October 21, with the playoffs commencing just four days later.
Tickets can be hard to come by for Inter Miami’s matches due to the arrival of Messi and the sudden skyrocketing of prices for all of the club’s fixtures.
For those unable to attend the games in person but still wishing to witness the competitive action, especially with Messi’s highly arrival, an option is to acquire an MLS Season Pass with Apple TV+. This provides an opportunity to enjoy the matches remotely.
Where will Messi live in the United States?
The former Barcelona star reportedly spent between $7 million and $9m to buy an apartment in the luxury Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, back in 2021 and it’s likely that he will take up residence there when he arrives at Inter Miami.
It remains to be seen, however, if the 35-year-old and his family will make that location their permanent home for the duration of Messi’s stay in the States.
What are the tourist attractions for Messi to visit in Miami?
Miami is a massive tourist hub in the United States and the fact that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and his family will live in the city provides them the opportunity to explore some of the major tourist attractions. These include:
1. South Beach: The iconic neighbourhood is known for its stunning beach, vibrant nightlife, and Art Deco architecture. It offers a lively atmosphere with trendy restaurants, bars, and clubs.
2. Art Deco Historic District: Located in the heart of South Beach, the Art Deco Historic District is a must-visit for its beautifully preserved pastel-colored buildings. A stroll along Ocean Drive will allow Messi to experience the charm of this architectural gem.
3. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens: Messi may choose to explore the opulent Vizcaya estate, a Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by lush gardens and breath-taking views of Biscayne Bay. The museum showcases European-inspired art and furnishings, offering a glimpse into Miami’s rich history.
4. Wynwood Walls: The World Cup winner can immerse himself in Miami’s vibrant art scene at Wynwood Walls. This open-air museum features larger-than-life street art murals created by renowned artists from around the world.
5. Everglades National Park: Just a short drive from Miami, Everglades National Park is a unique natural wonder. When he’s not featuring on the pitch, Messi has the chance to explore the vast wetlands, spot alligators and other wildlife on an airboat tour, and learn about this fascinating ecosystem through various nature trails and educational exhibits.
Lionel Messi’s new club Inter Miami
Lionel Messi’s new club Inter Miami
