Messi Leads Inter Miami Into Its Most Ambitious Season Yet

Inter Miami has kicked off the 2026 season with a clear and ambitious roadmap. With Lionel Messi as the team’s unquestioned leader, the club has launched its Champions Tour, an international preseason tour that has already taken them to Peru and will continue in the coming weeks with stops in Colombia, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico.

The project is built on a balanced mix of youth and experience. Young talents such as Tadeo Allende, Mateo Silvetti, and Telasco Segovia are complemented by key additions like Dayne St. Clair and Sergio Reguilón, while Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suárez provide European experience and competitive edge to guide the team in decisive moments.

The season also carries a personal focus for Messi and De Paul, both aiming to arrive at the 2026 World Cup in peak condition. Argentina will defend its title in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, turning every Inter Miami match into a meaningful part of their World Cup preparation.

Playing a World Cup “at home” raises expectations. Inter Miami understands the challenge and is determined to compete at the highest level from the very start of the year, maintaining rhythm, intensity, and a winning mentality.

The Concacaf Champions Cup remains the club’s biggest unfinished business. After lifting the Leagues Cup in 2023, the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and the MLS Cup in 2025, Inter Miami is looking to complete the collection with the only international trophy missing from its résumé.

The team will make its tournament debut in March, entering the round of 16 as an away side against the winner of the series between Nashville SC and Atlético Ottawa. For both the coaching staff and the squad, the competition will serve as a true measuring stick for the season.

For Messi, the Concacaf Champions Cup carries special significance. It is one of the few trophies missing from his illustrious career, and the Argentine approaches the challenge with the same hunger that fueled his eight Ballon d’Or wins.

The year 2026 will also mark a turning point for the club with the inauguration of Miami Freedom Park on April 4. With a new stadium, a title-winning roster, and Messi as its guiding force, Inter Miami is positioning itself for a season that could define its legacy.