Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are in the process of rebuilding following the retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets last month. And, they are reportedly close to snapping up one of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) winners on a permanent basis in the near future.
So, who is the mystery star the Messi-captained team relied on in the 2025 post-season?
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami To Sign Argentine This Week
According to The Athletic, Inter Miami are closing in on a permanent deal to sign Celta Vigo winger Tadeo Allende, who relished an excellent 2025 season on loan at the Herons. Messi’s outfit are expected to finalise the potential move before the end of the ongoing week.
Allende, who has also drawn attention from River Plate, is not expected to be a Designated Player for Inter Miami should he leave Celta Vigo this month. The 26-year-old would pop up as a vital first-team starter for the Herons, maintaining his spot from last season.
During his one-year loan stint at the Javier Mascherano-coached outfit, the Argentine found the back of the net an impressive 24 times. He started 48 of his 54 overall appearances for the Herons in 2025, providing three assists in the process, according to Transfermarkt.
Meanwhile, the Messi-led team have already snapped up Rodrigo De Paul in a reported $17 million transfer from Atletico Madrid. They have also signed ex-Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon and ex-Minnesota United goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair on free transfers.
Messi Names Club He Almost Joined Before Barcelona
During a recent interview with Luzu TV, Messi opened up about his childhood in Argentina and revealed that he had come close to joining River Plate before moving to Barcelona in 2000.
“I went to River Plate. I went on my own, trained there, and took part in a trial. After 10 days, I went back, and River told me to stay… that they would take care of the treatment and that I would live in their residence. The only thing River told me was that they couldn’t do anything about my registration,” Messi said (via World Soccer Talk).
READ MORE: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami Eyeing Up Move For USMNT International
The Inter Miami captain concluded, “I had to go get my release from Newell’s Old Boys and come back with it in order to stay. When I went to ask Newell’s for the release, they didn’t give it to me. It was very difficult, and that ended everything.”
Before joining Barcelona’s academy, La Masia, as a 13-year-old, Messi started his youth career at Newell’s Old Boys. He played for his local club in Rosario from 1995 to 2000.
