Scouting Report: Inter Miami + Leo Messi

A match made in MLS heaven?

While many outlets have exhaustively covered the story of how Lionel Messi landed in Inter Miami, this is your guide to understanding what that development means for the club's style and squad. Picture this - Messi donning the pink jersey of Inter Miami, an image that sets pulses racing. But it brings to the fore several questions about how this genius, forged in the football furnaces of Barcelona, fits into the Herons' equation and could potentially steer their trajectory on the pitch.

The Simple

Known for its no-frills approach, Inter Miami's play is anchored by a sturdy midfield base and a penchant for direct play. The team has thus far relied on individual attacking prowess to carve out chances. But with the anticipated arrival of Messi, a profound transformation looms on the horizon for the team.

Nicknamed 'la Pulga', Messi has left spectators in awe of his footballing wizardry for over two decades. His individual brilliance could inject some much-needed flair and structure into Miami's attacking maneuvers. Messi’s skills could mesh seamlessly with Miami's direct style of play, offering a rich tapestry of possibilities in attack through his adeptness in dropping deep, initiating play with visionary passes, his unparalleled dribbling skills, and his supernatural knack for finding the net.

Messi and Defense – An Uneasy Equation

However, this major shift does come with its share of complexities. Messi's rather modest contributions on the defensive front could potentially expose Miami's already laid-back pressing strategy. The incoming coach, rumored to be former Atlanta United manager Tata Martino, would need to recalibrate his tactics to balance this, perhaps by having the midfielders up their defensive intensity or by adopting a denser defensive formation when not in possession.

Off the pitch, Messi's presence would likely serve as a catalyst, boosting team morale. His decorated career and his success on the world stage could spark inspiration among the younger players, nudging them to up their game. Messi’s potential to magnetize other top-tier players to the club cannot be understated. Suddenly, the MLS could morph into a more attractive prospect for global talents, enhancing the league's star quotient and possibly elevating its overall quality.

Messi’s addition to Inter Miami isn't just a matter of adding another player to the roster. It is a move that could bring about a significant shift in the team's dynamics both on and off the pitch. With careful adjustments, it could serve as a turning point, not just for Inter Miami, but potentially for the entire MLS. As we await the Argentine's arrival, one thing is crystal clear - Inter Miami and their fans are set for some thrilling times ahead. Strap in, the Miami-Messi era is about to take flight.

The Nitty-Gritties

Inter Miami typically adopts a 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2 formation, with a strong midfield reliance and often a hastened style of play through the fullbacks and center-backs to build opportunities. They also show a propensity for direct play to a striker, with center-backs comfortable launching long balls. Their approach to attacking hinges largely on individual creativity rather than structured patterns. Defensively, their game is characterized by a relaxed press and a tendency to sit back, with the front two serving more as counter-attacking outlets than active defenders.

The incorporation of Messi into Inter Miami would likely shake up their style of play and overall dynamics. Given his style and abilities, he could potentially slip into the attacking midfield role in a 4-3-1-2 or 4-2-3-1 system.

With his creativity, vision, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring abilities, Messi could be the nucleus of Inter Miami's attacking strategy, collecting the ball deep and orchestrating attacks - a role he frequently fulfilled at Barcelona and more recently at PSG, racking up an impressive 40 goal contributions last season. This addition could inject a much-needed structure into Inter Miami's attack and reduce the need for direct play and individual creativity.

The flip side, however, is Messi's defensive contribution, which could potentially leave Inter Miami's midfield exposed, especially given their current laid-back approach to pressing. Tactical adjustments will be required here, with options including increased defensive duties for the midfielders or a shift to a more defensive formation when out of possession.

In terms of squad morale, Messi's arrival could elevate the ambitions of the team and inspire younger players to up their game. Furthermore, the gravitational pull of a player of Messi's stature could attract other high-profile players to the club, potentially elevating the overall quality of the squad.

In the broader picture, Messi's arrival brings global attention to Inter Miami and the MLS, potentially bringing increased financial inflows that could be leveraged to enhance facilities, invest in youth development, and further boost the squad.

Messi's addition to Inter Miami could amplify their attacking dynamics and elevate the squad's quality. However, it would necessitate tactical adjustments, particularly in their defensive phase. Undeniably, Messi's presence brings a new dimension to the team and holds the potential to elevate the level of play in the MLS. As we stand at the brink of the Messi era, one thing is clear: the future is exciting for Inter Miami.

I’m not sure if it makes them MLS Cup contenders right away, but if Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba join then we may be having a different conversation.

What do you think of Messi to MLS?