Why Inter Miami hold the envy of every MLS club

Martin Macdonald

• 17 Jan 2026 15:01 CST
• 6 min read

Nieuws

Landon Donovan and Tim Howard believe that every other club in Major League Soccer should be envious of how Inter Miami do business.

Yes, the club is bankrolled by the likes of David Beckham, while they have the best player in history in their ranks in Lionel Messi.

But, the former USMNT duo reckon the club is impressive in all areas when it comes to recruitment, whether that being attracting superstars like Messi, picking up bargains in the MLS or finding wonderkids from South America.

“Inter Miami keep adding quality, and the rest of the league has to be furious watching it,” Donovan said. on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast.

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A post shared by Unfiltered Soccer w. Landon Donovan and Tim Howard (@unfilteredsoccer)

“Players want to be there. We’ve seen this before, guys making good money in Europe who decide to take less just to live in the right city and be in the right project. Miami are doing that, and they’re doing it well.

“Young South American players are cheaper, and if you structure it as a loan with an option, you’re getting real value for one or two years. They also signed David Ayala from Portland for around $2 million. If the best value is inside the league, that’s where you go get it.”He added that Miami have not been afraid to push the market, even when deals fall through.

“They tried to get Tristan Blackmon and offered around $3 million. It didn’t happen, so he didn’t move - but the point is, they’re aggressive. They’re getting better every window.”

Messi's brilliance helped Inter Miami with their first ever MLS Cup in 2025 and he was again named as the league's Most Valuable Player in 2025, having won the award in 2024 also.

Howard thinks there are players out there willing to accept a pay cut due to the promise of playing alongside the legendary Argentine.

“Their technical director, their front office, and their ownership are firmly in the driver’s seat,” the former Manchester United goalkeeper said.

“When they go after a player, the pitch is simple: you get to live in Miami, and by the way, you get to play with Messi.

“They’ve won major trophies in the last two years. How many players are going to say no to that? A successful club, a great city, elite teammates - at some point you just say, ‘Put whatever on the check, I want to be part of this.’ Playing with Messi is a massive factor."

Before the turn of the year, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a new contract with Inter Miami until 2028.

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