Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi remains a talismanic presence at Chase Stadium, as he fills the captain’s armband, but he is unable to play every fixture in a packed schedule at 37 years of age. The all-time great has sat out Inter Miami’s last three matches as no risks are taken on his fitness.

The Herons have moved to acquire another playmaking No.10. Baltasar Rodriguez is that man, with the 21-year-old being snapped up from Argentine giants Racing on loan for the rest of the 2025 campaign. Said deal includes the option for a permanent transfer to be completed later in the year.

Rodriguez, who played under Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano when forming part of Argentina’s U23 squad for the pre-Olympic Tournament in 2024, has already won Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana titles in his homeland, while also gracing the prestigious Copa Libertadores.