With the ink barely dry on his new contract extension, Inter Miami CF left back Jordi Alba got the inevitable question from reporters on Friday: Is Lionel Messi next?
āI donāt renew for anybody [else]. Itās clear we hope Leo stays; I think heās a vital player for us and the club,ā Alba said of his fellow legendary former FC Barcelona teammate, whose own deal with the Herons expires at seasonās end.
āI have to look out for myself, not for others. I understand your concern, and obviously for me, itās clear that Leo staying is much better.
ā⦠It would be very good news if Leo continues.ā
Must-win derby
Messiās future status isnāt the only uncertainty surrounding Miami these days.
After a red-hot start to the season, last yearās record-setting Supportersā Shield winners have just one victory in their last six games across all competitions, including a semifinal series defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps FC that derailed their Concacaf Champions Cup dreams.
They havenāt fared much better in MLS, earning just one point from their recent road trip after a 4-1 humbling by Minnesota United FC was followed by a 3-3 midweek draw at the San Jose Earthquakes.
If any game can spur a much-needed reaction, itās their Rivalry Week showdown against Florida Derby opponent Orlando City SC, which opens a doubleheader edition of Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire (7 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+).
āWe need to work more, we need to tighten things up, we need to convince the players that we can get back on that path [from earlier in the season],ā head coach Javier Mascherano told reporters. āThe good news is we have a new opportunity to show that on Sunday.ā
Intense rivalry
Unfortunately for the Herons, theyāre hosting an Orlando side thatās undefeated in their last 10 games (4W-0L-6D), led by the MVP-caliber play of MartĆn Ojeda (8g/3a).
Additionally, Oscar Parejaās Lions have arguably been Messi & Co.ās biggest agitators in MLS, as evidenced first-hand by Mascherano during an exhibition match in February.
āEven though it was a friendly, you could see the intensity of these types of matches,ā Mascherano said. āIt may be a new rivalry due to the age of our club, but itās a rivalry nonetheless. So itās important to play a good game, especially to get back to winning ways.
āWe need to play a good game to earn three points that [would] not only give us some tranquility, but also confidence ahead of whatās to come.ā
SuƔrez returns
Miami got an early confidence boost on Friday with the return of Luis SuĆ”rez, who was back in training after missing the last two matches due to personal reasons. The legendary Uruguayan striker could play against Orlando, although fellow attacker FafĆ Picault still hasnāt been cleared to suit up again after sitting out the clubās Western Conference trip with a migraine.
For Mascherano, getting the best possible starting XI on the pitch with regularity is essential as the Herons navigate the rest of May before making their FIFA 2025 Club World Cup debut on June 14 against Al Ahly of Egypt.
āThe best way to start the Club World Cup in good form is by getting back on track in the league,ā Mascherano said. āAnd weāre going to try to do that.ā