Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami wasted no time in strengthening its squad after winning the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup last month. However, a new Heron’s signing has suffered a minor injury in his first outing for the Javier Mascherano-coached outfit.
Lionel Messi’s New Inter Miami Teammate Sustains Injury on Debut
Earlier on Saturday, Jan. 24, Messi’s side faced Peruvian side Alianza Lima in their first pre-season friendly clash. They crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in Lima, with Paolo Guerrero bagging a first-half brace and Luis Ramos scoring after the break.
Apart from the loss, Inter Miami were also dealt a blow with an injury to new free transfer Sergio Reguilon. They were forced to substitute the Spanish left-back off inside 15 minutes after the former Tottenham Hotspur man suffered an apparent ankle issue.
Roped in as now-retired Jordi Alba’s replacement, Reguilon is a six-cap Spain international. The 29-year-old, who rose through Real Madrid’s youth ranks, featured in just six matches for Tottenham Hotspur in the 2024-25 campaign before being released.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami head coach Mascherano has suggested that the new Herons players will have to fight for a place in his side’s starting lineup, starting from the pre-season.
“When we start pre-season, everyone starts at zero… and we will evaluate everyone’s level and put out the most competitive team possible (next season). We not only want to repeat as MLS champion, but also go for the titles that we left at the door… the Leagues Cup, the Champions Cup, we want to compete for it all, like we did last year,” Mascherano said.
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Mascherano continued, “The new players who have arrived so far are in positions we had to reinforce because of players who left. We lost Chelo (Marcelo Weigandt) at right-back… so, we signed (Facundo Mura). David Ayala, a central midfielder, came because we lost (Sergio Busquets), Reguilon for Jordi (Alba).”
“(We signed) Micael at centre-back (on loan) because we felt that was an area that needed strengthening, and Dayne St. Clair is a high-caliber keeper who was a free agent,” the ex-Argentina international, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona as well, concluded.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami are next set to take on Colombian team Atletico Nacional at Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellin on Jan. 31. The Herons will face Ecuadorian side Barcelona de Guayaquil at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha in Guayaquil on Feb. 7.
