Inter Miami are believed to be in the process of bolstering their squad after their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph last Saturday. Apart from monitoring new players, Lionel Messi’s side are also reportedly working on a deal to retain one of their MLS Cup winners.
But who is the mystery man Inter Miami have been impressed with in 2025?
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Keen to Hang on to Tadeo Allende
According to reliable transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Inter Miami have opened initial talks with La Liga side Celta Vigo over Argentine forward Tadeo Allende’s future. The Herons are interested in permanently signing the 26-year-old as they are very happy with the player’s contribution in 2025.
Allende emerged as one of Inter Miami’s best performers during his one-year loan stint from Celta Vigo in 2025. The right-footed attacker, who scored once in last Saturday’s MLS Cup final, found the back of the net 24 times in 54 total appearances for the Herons before returning to his parent club.
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Prior to his loan spell at Messi’s side, Allende featured in just 13 matches in all competitions for Celta Vigo. The former Godoy Cruz and Instituto ACC player, valued at $3.5 million by Transfermarkt, scored three goals for the Spanish outfit in 2024.
La Liga Star Compares Messi With Cristiano Ronaldo
Villarreal attacker Nicolas Pépé has shared his honest thoughts on the long-standing rivalry between Messi and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the former to be the better player.
“Cristiano gives a lot of interviews and often mentions Messi. That shows he is number two. Ronaldo is like Vegeta (from Japanese manga and anime series Dragon Ball), he’s always talking about Goku,” the former Arsenal star said during a chat with YouTuber and streamer ‘JustRiadhTV’ (via OneFootball).
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Pépé, who has made 48 total appearances for Villarreal so far, concluded, “Messi is like Goku, quiet, but always on top. Messi makes everyone else look old. He plays in a different league. There will never be another Messi.”
Messi, who has registered 77 goals and 44 assists in 88 total matches for Inter Miami, won every trophy possible during his time in Europe. The 38-year-old has scored 704 goals and laid out 338 assists in 853 joint games for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Ronaldo, on the other hand, found the back of the opposition net 701 times and registered 223 assists in 949 total appearances while he was in Europe. The 40-year-old represented Real Madrid, Manchester United, Juventus, and Sporting CP before joining Al-Nassr.
