Lionel Messi's Inter Miami handed transfer boost as target's current club manager drops player exit hint
Lionel Messi could be joined by his international teammate Paulo Dybala at Inter Miami after AS Roma manager Claudio Ranieri hinted at the possibility of the Argentine forward leaving the Italian club. Dybala has been linked with the MLS side, who are in the market for quality reinforcements to their roster in this off-season.
Inter Miami finished the 2024 MLS Regular Season with a record 74 points after a stellar campaign, securing the Supporters' Shield. Their performances earned them a place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as well as top seed in the playoffs, where they lost at the first hurdle.
Since Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, the club has recruited several of his former teammates, including Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets.
At a recent press conference, former Chelsea and Leicester City manager Ranieri stated that while he is pleased to have Dybala in his squad, he is prepared to let him go if he wants to. He said (via Inter Miami News):
“I’m happy to have him, but if the boy has other priorities and a mutual solution is found, it’s right to please him. I want players who are happy to be at Roma. I haven’t seen this discomfort, however. We will have a market that will improve Roma, we won’t buy players just for the sake of buying.”
Dybala has scored just two goals and provided an assist in 18 appearances for the Giallorossi across competitions this season. The forward was close to joining Saudi outfit Al-Qadsiah in the summer before deciding against moving to the Middle East.
The lure of playing alongside Lionel Messi at club level may be enough to attract Dybala to Florida. There, he will find another former teammate, Javier Mascherano, as the manager of the club.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi made surprise pick for 2024 FIFA The Best Awards
Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi made a surprise pick for his 2024 The Best Men's Player of the Year at FIFA's The Best Awards. The 37-year-old voted in his capacity as Argentina captain to determine the recipient of the award for this year.
A three-time recipient of the award and a nominee for the 2024 edition, the Argentine forward voted for Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal as the Player of the Year. He picked Kylian Mbappe in second place and eventual winner Vinicius Jr in third place.
17-year-old Yamal, Messi's pick for the winner, finished in fifth place, one place ahead of his idol Messi. The youngster also made the FIFA The Best World XI after helping Spain win Euro 2024.