Miami dreams big: Messi could soon team up with Manchester City magician Bernardo Silva
The Portuguese star could reportedly leave Manchester City this summer to join Lionel Messi in MLS, adding another creative spark to Inter Miami.
Inter Miami are reportedly looking to team Lionel Messi up with another diminutive magician in the shape of Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, whose time in the Premier League is expected to come to an end this summer.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Herons have entered the chase for the Portugal international, who is also a target for Juventus, Benfica and Galatasaray.
@asusaofficial 🤯 MESSI BACK TO BARÇA was a real possibility, until someone behind the scenes pulled the plug. That’s according to Xavi, Messi’s former teammate and ex-Barcelona manager. #soccer #barcelona #barça #messi #intermiami
♬ Villains Beat - Walter Landors
Bernardo vs Messi
Bernardo is not expected to renew his contract in Manchester, which expires in June. According to Sportrac, the 31-year-old’s current City deal earns him an annual salary of £15.6 million, which works out to around $20.65 million.
Messi, by comparison, had a base salary of $12 million and guaranteed compensation of almost $20.5 million with Inter Miami in 2025.
The Florida franchise, and other interested parties, may well feel Bernardo, who turns 32 in August, is worth a significant outlay.
Still key for City under Guardiola
The Portuguese has remained a key player this season for Pep Guardiola’s team, who are in with a chance of winning several trophies.
City are still hoping to overtake Arsenal to win the Premier League and will also face the Gunners in the League Cup final later this month. On top of that, the Sky Blues are through to the quarterfinals of the FA Cup, although their Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread after a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the round of 16 first leg.
"We believe that it's possible" 👀
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 12, 2026
Bernardo Silva reflects on Manchester City's 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid but remains optimistic that the tie can be turned around 💬 pic.twitter.com/I0n6jX7Flp
Bernardo’s consistent brilliance
Bernardo has been named as captain for 25 of City’s 29 Premier League games in 2025-26, also appearing four times as a substitute. He has appeared in seven Champions League matchups, starting on six occasions. The former Monaco star has scored only two goals but has assisted a further five.
Since moving to City in the summer of 2017, Bernardo has made 445 appearances for the club, scoring 75 goals. He has won 17 trophies in Manchester, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2022-23.
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