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NICOLE SOMMA
Updated
With 27 days and two games remaining before the MLS break for the World Cup, Lionel Messi wants to bring another Argentina national teammate to Inter Miami.
Last year, Argentina’s No. 7, Rodrigo De Paul, joined the team and has been playing alongside Leo ever since, forming a great partnership both on and off the field. But now, the Argentines want Leandro Paredes to join them.
Messi and De Paul want Paredes at Inter Miami
With just under a month to go before the World Cup kicks off, Leo and Rodrigo’s hopes extend beyond simply defending the title they won in Qatar 2022: they also dream of playing alongside another world champion.
Currently, the former PSG player is with the Argentine club Boca Juniors, where they had been on a strong run with 14 consecutive unbeaten matches. However, consecutive losses to Cruzeiro and Barcelona Sporting Club in the Copa Libertadores put their qualification for the Round of 16 at risk, and, combined with their elimination from the Apertura Tournament by Huracán in the Round of 16, reignited criticism of Claudio Úbeda’s team’s performance.
Against this backdrop, Paredes’ future has once again taken center stage, along with rumors and speculation about his potential departure from the club. And he has received an offer that is, to say the least, tempting.
As revealed by journalist Leo Paradizo on América TV’s “Lape Club Social” program, his teammates on the Albiceleste want him to join Inter Miami:
“If there is one player on the Argentine national team that Messi and De Paul are trying to convince to join Inter Miami, that player is Leandro Paredes,” said the journalist.
Furthermore, Paradizo confirmed that the former Roma player has not yet responded to these requests, but if he does and decides to sign with Inter Miami, the move would take place “after the World Cup.”
The chance to reunite several world champion stars excites Inter Miami, which has already secured the continued presence of Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul through 2028 and 2029, respectively, and is committed to continuing to compete for titles in the coming seasons.
But Miami isn’t the only possible destination for Paredes. The journalist also revealed that Barcelona “has already sounded him out” and Neymar’s Santos in Brazil “also wants him.”
Meanwhile, the “Herons” are celebrating after securing their second consecutive victory by defeating Cincinnati 3-5 on Wednesday night. With a brace from Leo and goals from Mateo Silveti, Germán Berterame, and Roman Celentano, Guillermo Hoyos’s team prevailed over their rivals.
With this performance, Leo now has 910 goals and 412 assists in total, and 11 goals and 5 assists with the team this season, leading the league in goal contributions.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami sits in second place in the Eastern Conference, two points behind Nashville SC, and awaits Portland Timbers and Philadelphia Union at Nu Stadium on May 17 and 24, respectively, before the start of the World Cup.
Will we see Paredes play alongside Messi and De Paul after that? Only time will tell.
