Inter Miami reportedly targeting Lionel Messi’s former teammate and Argentina World Cup winner
Inter Miami has suffered the lack of hierarchy in the squad where, even despite only losing one game under Javier Mascherano, the team struggled to be dominant. To bolster the squad, the MLS side is now reportedly targeting a former Lionel Messi teammate and World Cup winner with Argentina.
The team led by Messi had to cover several departures in winter transfer window, including Leonardo Campana, who joined New England Revolution. However, since the Equatorian striker left, he left a vacancy in the team as a Designated Player, and Inter Miami would use that in their favor.
According to journalist Franco Panizo, Inter Miami have settled Angel Di Maria as a top target for the upcoming transfer window. The Argentine winger has his deal with Benfica expiring next June 2025, presenting a great moment for the Florida side to make a move for him.
Di Maria and Messi once shared club when they were at Paris Saint-Germain, but their relationship grew stronger after the lows and highs they had to experience in the Argentina national team. Both stars met for the 2024 Copa America tournament (which they ended up conquering), but since then they haven’t shared the pitch again.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reported last month about an interest from Liga MX side Club America to sign Di Maria. However, a reunion with Messi at Miami, and to play with stars Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, could prove key to convince the Argentine winger.
Inter Miami, to decide between Di Maria and De Bruyne
Di Maria is an interesting profile for Inter Miami executives, but another pretender could get in the way. As reported by Panizo, Kevin De Bruyne is also set as one of the club’s top targets, meaning that only one could get to cover the DP vacancy.
As ESPN reports, Inter Miami now hold the discovery rights for the Manchester City star, meaning that he’d be one step ahead Di Maria in the process to be signed by the MLS side. With only one slot available as a Designated Player, and both of their contracts set to expire on June 2025, the MLS side will have to make a choice and see which one they decide to eventually sign.