'They're screwed' – Beckham and Messi's Inter Miami superteam at risk of imploding

Robin Bairner

• 15 Feb 2024 07:01 GMT
• 3 min read

David Beckham and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami MLS franchise has been told that it is in a “dire” financial condition, according to a report.

The Athletic reports that Miami need to shed players in order to become compliant for the 2024 MLS season or else face the prospect of not being compliant for the new campaign.

The franchise has been in the headlines since last summer, when their move to sign Messi from PSG on a free transfer utterly transformed the footballing landscape in the US.

However, it is a signing that has come with a touch of controversy and now The Athletic reports a high-ranking source from another club has claimed: “They are screwed. Trust me.”

Inter Miami hit financial trouble

MLS has strict financial rules governing how much clubs can pay their players, and while there are ways in which franchises can legally increase their spending – Designated Players, such as Messi, do not have their full wages count towards the salary budget – it is believed that Inter Miami will struggle to find a formula to get their out of their current position.

Beckham’s franchise have moved to sign legendary striker Luis Suarez as their marquee summer addition, while they have also added other players at significant expense.

The highly rated Federico Redondo is poised to sign from Argentinos Juniors for €7.5 million ($8m), with Inter Miami beating competition from the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign the player.

Several players are available, including former Tottenham defender DeAndre Yedlin, but with MLS rivals aware of Miami’s crippling financial position none are bidding heavily for these players.

Miami have until 20 February to make the cut.

Meanwhile, the Storks have a history of breaching financial regulations, having bust roster rules to sign Blaise Matuidi from Juventus in 2020.

This comes hot on the heels of controversy in Hong Kong, when Beckham, Messi and Inter Miami were at the heart of an outcry over the Argentine’s non-participation in a friendly match due to injury – an incident that prompted furious fans to demand their money back from the event.