
AL DAAYEN - Argentina goalkeeper Franco Armani, Juan Foyth of Argentina, Nicolas Tagliafico of Argentina, Gonzalo Montiel of Argentina, Leandro Daniel Paredes of Argentina, German Pezzella of Argentina, Rodrigo De Paul of Argentina, Marcos Acuna of Argentina, Julian Alvarez of Argentina, Lionel Messi of Argentina, Angel Di Maria of Argentina, Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, Cristian Romero of Argentina, Exequiel Palacios of Argentina, Angel Correa of Argentina, Thiago Almada of Argentina, Alejandro Gomez of Argentina, Guido Rodriguez of Argentina, Nicolas Otamendi of Argentina , Alexis Mac Allister of Argentina, Paulo Dybala of Argentina, Lautaro Martinez of Argentina, Argentina goalkeeper Damian Emiliano Martinez, Enzo Fernandez of Argentina, Lisandro Martinez of Argentina, Nahuel Molina of Argentina, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni with world cup trophy, FIFA World Cup trophy after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final match between Argentina and France at the Lusail S stadium on December 18, 2022 in Al Daayen, Qatar. AP | Dutch Height | MAURICE OF STONE (Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
Inter Miami is preparing for a busy offseason under new manager Javier Mascherano, with superstar players already linked with a move to Florida. Angel Di Maria has resurfaced as an Inter Miami target, with the Herons still connected with a move for Brazil star Neymar, who purchased a $26 million home in Florida earlier this year.
With Mohamed Salah also on Inter Miami’s radar, there’s a good potential that a superstar player will join Lionel Messi and company at Chase Stadium this winter, as Mascherano looks to strengthen his side ahead of the 2025 MLS season. And one Inter Miami prospect appears to be closer to Messi than others.
Nicolas Otamendi has this week been reported with a move to Inter Miami, with the Argentina international a colleague of Messi’s for the reigning world champions and Mascherano’s during his playing days with the South American giants.
Not only was Otamendi a member of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the Benfica defender also got a tattoo of Messi holding the renowned trophy after defeating France on penalties in the final.
With Otamendi due to become a free agent next summer and Inter Miami in the market for a marquee player, the former Manchester City star might be a perfect signing for the Herons in 2025, assuming the center-back is willing to relocate to MLS.
However, with Otamendi sporting a Messi tattoo, the 36-year-old may be easily persuaded to join Inter Miami, especially given the Herons’ need for a top-tier center defense.