Busquets and Alba take control of Inter Miami as Messi leaves for Argentina

MLS is not going to stop despite the national team break which will see a lot of high-profile stars shoot off to play official matches for their countries. Despite the fact that at one point pausing the domestic competition in the United States was considered, as happens in many countries, the idea was ultimately rejected (despite MLS now losing Messi) and American soccer will continue.

Messi is currently training at the home of the Argentina National Team, preparing for the clash against Ecuador in what is their debut on the road to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Messi is the captain of the team that arrives as the current world champion, so everything that is not winning is simply not an option for the Inter Miami forward and his side.

Time for Inter Miami’s squad too stand up and be counted

Meanwhile, Inter Miami are not resting and they are already preparing the arrival of Sporting Kansas City in a new round of MLS fixtures. The Florida franchise are in need of 3 points that will bring them closer to the playoff line in the MLS Eastern Conference table. With Messi thousands of miles away, the other two big signings of the summer will have to carry the weight of the team on their shoulders and take them to another victory.

Although Messi is the leader of an exciting and renewed Inter Miami side, his two trusty team-mates are players who have come a long way with the number 10 next to them: Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets. Much of the team’s improvement on the pitch is due to the technical and tactical ability of the trio of players who have won everything and are among the best in history in their respective positions.

Alba and Busquets are set to face their first challenge without Messi since the three of them arrived in the United States. Both players well versed in playing alongside the Argentine star, but they will have to rely more than ever on the rest of their Miami teammates in what will be a unique challenge. Players like Campana, Taylor or Martínez will have to step up and be counted on the pitch if they are to minimise the impact of not having the 7-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Where are Inter Miami in the league?

Tata Martino’s side are on an amazing unbeaten run since Leo Messi’s first game: they have won Leagues Cup and beaten 2022 MLS Cup champions LAFC in a fantastic vein of form that has many speculating that a late race for the playoff spots is on, despite their position.

The side sit one place off the bottom of the table and have 25 points from 25 games played. Nashville, in 7th, have 40 points, meaning a huge swing is needed for them to be able to turn around a terrible BM (before Messi) start to the domestic campaign. However, it just so happens they have the best player in the world...