Inter Miami sorely missing Busquets and Alba as Gonzalo Luján steps into a bigger role

Even though Lionel Messi has been Inter Miami’s anchor since the moment he arrived, the club is now navigating life without two of its other pillars. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba both retired after lifting the MLS Cup, leaving a major leadership void. And with the new season just underway, center‑back Gonzalo Luján didn’t shy away from acknowledging just how much their absence is felt.

Speaking in the mixed zone — where AS USA Latino was present — Luján made it clear that Alba and Busquets were more than just elite players.

“More than anything, it’s the day‑to‑day. The way they were with us. They were a really important part of the group. Yes, we miss them,” the Argentine defender said.

Luján looks to make the most of his opportunity

Luján arrived in January 2025 to help stabilize Inter Miami’s back line, but head coach Javier Mascherano brought in Brazilian defender Micael soon after, pushing Luján down the depth chart. His chance finally came when Maxi Falcón went down with an injury in the first leg of the Round of 16 against Nashville SC.

“I’ve been preparing since the beginning. I didn’t get to play much, but I’m ready whenever my moment comes. You have to perform — that’s what the competition demands. I don’t see it as anything extreme. I prepare every day to play. I always try to be ready,”Luján explained.

Medical reports indicate Falcón’s injury isn’t serious, and he’s expected to miss only about two weeks. That gives Luján a short but valuable window to prove himself again to Mascherano.

He added that while he feels for his teammate, he knows opportunities in professional soccer are fleeting.

“Beyond feeling bad for him and talking with him, the competition is always there. Now I have to take advantage and try to earn more minutes.”

Reflecting on his first MLS season

Luján also took a moment to look back on his first year in MLS, describing it as both demanding and rewarding.

“It’s a very competitive league. It was a tough year with good moments and others where we suffered a bit more, but I’m very happy here. Hopefully we can keep going down this good path.”

A tough road test ahead

Inter Miami visits Charlotte FC this Saturday at Bank of America Stadium — a venue that hasn’t been kind to the Herons. Their last trip ended in a 3–0 defeat, something the team will be eager to erase from memory.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.