With Lionel Messi steering the ship, Inter Miami are charging into the second half of the 2025 season with unrelenting ambition. Fresh from their global showcase at the FIFA Club World Cup, the Herons are back in MLS action, eyeing the top of the Eastern Conference. But the excitement doesn’t stop there—Miami are also making waves in the Leagues Cup, where Messi first hoisted silverware with the club in 2023. On Wednesday, they face a thrilling quarterfinal clash against Mexico’s Tigres, a match that promises fireworks.
Amid this high-stakes campaign, Inter Miami’s front office is pulling out all the stops to bolster Javier Mascherano’s squad. The latest coup? A blockbuster deal for 19-year-old Argentine sensation Mateo Silvetti, a rising star from Newell’s Old Boys—Messi’s own boyhood club. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Herons are putting the final touches on a deal that will see Silvetti join the pink and black, with the transfer fee reportedly soaring to a jaw-dropping $8 million, including add-ons.
🚨🇺🇸 EXCL: Inter Miami are closing in on deal to sign 19 year old talent Mateo Silvetti from Newell’s Old Boys.
Agreement almost done and here we go soon for the Argentinian talent to join Leo Messi, Rodrigo de Paul & co. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/gL5pTWjrP8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 19, 2025
Silvetti, who burst onto the scene with his professional debut in 2024, has already racked up an impressive 37 appearances for Newell’s, netting six goals. His flair, vision, and composure have marked him as one of Argentina’s brightest prospects. Initially, Newell’s hoped to keep their prized asset until December, but Inter Miami’s relentless pursuit has accelerated the move, with only minor details left to finalize. Silvetti’s arrival promises to add another layer of dynamism to an already star-studded roster.
The Herons’ transfer window has been nothing short of electric. Alongside their Leagues Cup heroics, Inter Miami have been reshaping their squad to match their sky-high ambitions. The club kicked off the window with a major coup, signing Rodrigo De Paul from Atletico Madrid. The midfielder has hit the ground running, slotting seamlessly into the starting lineup and scoring his first goal for Miami in just his fourth outing.
On the outgoing side, the roster has seen significant changes. Paraguayan defender David Martinez’s loan spell came to an end, and he was not retained. Forward Leo Afonso was traded to rivals Atlanta United, while midfielder Federico Redondo sealed a move to Spain’s Elche CF. Goalkeeper Drake Callender also departed, joining Charlotte FC in a trade. Rumors are swirling that midfielder David Ruiz could be the next to leave, with at least three clubs reportedly circling.
As Inter Miami balance their MLS campaign, Leagues Cup aspirations, and a flurry of transfer activity, the addition of Silvetti signals their intent to build a dynasty around Messi. With a young star from Newell’s Old Boys now on board, the Herons are poised to soar even higher. Watch out, MLS—the pink revolution is just getting started.