MLS
Lionel Messi used to convince Argentina teammate Marcos Rojo to sign for Inter Miami
Rojo could be the latest high-profile figure to join Messi, Suárez, Busquets and Alba at DRV PNK Stadium.
Inter Miami continue to reshape their roster for the 2024 season. David Beckham’s team have already bolstered their attack with the signing of former Barcelona star Luis Suárez but are also looking to bring in Boca Juniors striker Dario Benedetto. Reports in Argentina now suggest they are planning on recruiting a top-level central defender and will use Lionel Messi as a type of “super agent” in an effort to convince his international teammate Marcos Rojo to move to MLS.
Martino, Messi and Rojo could repeat Argentina link-up
The Boca captain’s future is somewhat up in the air, even though he has already reported back for pre-season. Despite extending his contract until December 2025 a only a few months ago, Argentine journalist Hernán Castillo revealed there was serious interest in the former Manchester United man from Brazil and the United States, and that both Messi and Herons head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino had called the 33-year-old over a potential move in the last few days.
The trio already have plenty of experience of working together, with both players part of the Argentina team coached by Martino between 2014 and 2016. Rojo was a regular starter as La Albiceleste reached the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil, as well as the finals of the Copa América in 2015 and 2016, for which “Tato” was in the dugout. Along with Messi, Ángel Di María and Gonzalo Higuain, the Boca defender was seen as one of the leaders in the dressing room during that period.
Riquelme takes over as Boca president
Rojo would leave Boca after a turbulent year for the club, which has been marred by trouble in the boardroom. The Buenos Aires giants have gone through three different managers in failing to qualify for next season’s Copa Libertadores, and lost in this year’s final to Fluminense. A number of players are expected to leave the club as they look to start afresh in 2024 and challenge for the Copa Sudamericana, with Boca legend Juan Román Riquelme recently appointed as president.