American professional soccer club
Soccer club
Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami ( lit. Miami International Football Club), known as Inter Miami CF 💱 or Inter Miami, is an American professional soccer club based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Established in 2024, the club began 💱 playing in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer (MLS) during the 2024 season. The club garnered international attention prior 💱 to its founding because of club president and co-owner David Beckham and again in 2024 when eight-time Ballon d'Or and 💱 World Cup winner Lionel Messi signed for the club on a free transfer. Following the signing, the club won its 💱 first major trophy, the expanded 2024 Leagues Cup, the North American zonal competition for the CONCACAF region.
History [ edit ]
Expansion 💱 [ edit ]
In November 2012, MLS commissioner Don Garber confirmed the league's renewed interest in placing an expansion franchise in 💱 Miami,[3] after the Miami Fusion folded following the 2001 season and an expansion bid led by Miami-based Bolivian telecom entrepreneur 💱 Marcelo Claure and FC Barcelona failed in 2009.[4]
When David Beckham, whose business manager Simon Fuller had the idea[5] of giving 💱 him an option to purchase an expansion team at a price ofR$25 million when he joined the league in 2007,[6] 💱 ended his playing career in April 2013, the MLS held discussions with Fuller about several expansion targets, including Miami.[7] That 💱 same year, other investors, including Italian financier Alessandro Butini[8] and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross expressed interest in owning 💱 a Miami franchise as well.[9]
In 2013, when David Beckham was interviewed by CNN, he thanked Fuller for the ground breaking 💱 MLS deal he had negotiated back in 2007 and specifically the clause that Fuller had insisted on inserting to the 💱 player's benefit: “When I signed my contract six, seven years ago, my manager Simon Fuller actually got a clause in 💱 the contract that enabled me to have a franchise at the end of my playing career”.[10] In his December 2013 💱 State of the League address, Garber had identified Beckham and Fuller as potential owners in Miami.[11] Later that month, on 💱 December 17, Miami-Dade County commissioners voted unanimously to allow Mayor Carlos A. Giménez to negotiate with the Beckham-led group on 💱 a new stadium in downtown Miami.[12] The league announced that Beckham exercised his option on February 5, 2014,[13] and that 💱 Miami Beckham United,[14] the investment group led by Beckham, Fuller and Claure, would own an expansion franchise in Miami, assuming 💱 that financing for a stadium could be agreed upon.[15] In presentations to officials and potential investors, the ownership group used 💱 "Miami Vice" and "Miami Current" as working titles for the club.[16] After its initial stadium proposals fell through, Commissioner Garber 💱 reiterated in August 2014 that the expansion would not be approved until a downtown stadium plan was secured and it 💱 was only after Fuller introduced Beckham to the Jorge and José Mas, that the plan was green lit.[17][18] Beckham bought 💱 Fuller out in May 2024.[19]
On January 29, 2024, the Miami Beckham United group (consisting of Beckham, Claure, Fuller, Masayoshi Son 💱 [founder and CEO of SoftBank] and Jorge and José Mas, the Miami-based leaders of telecommunications and construction company MasTec) four 💱 years after the ownership's original announcement of pursuing a team, was awarded the twenty-fifth MLS franchise and was set to 💱 launch in the 2024 season.[20][21] The announcement represented part of a larger MLS expansion that would increase its number of 💱 teams to 26 by 2024 and 30 after that. Since Beckham's original announcement of his intention to place a team 💱 in Miami in 2014, Orlando City, New York City FC, Atlanta United, Minnesota United, Los Angeles FC, and FC Cincinnati 💱 have all begun MLS play. Paul McDonough was hired as sporting director effective August 4.[22] The team's ownership group was 💱 later renamed Miami Freedom Park LLC.[23] They announced Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, shortened to Inter Miami CF, as the 💱 club's official name on September 5, 2024.[24]
On December 30, 2024, former Uruguay national team player and C.F. Monterrey manager Diego 💱 Alonso was announced as the club's inaugural head coach.[25][26]
Early years (2024–2024) [ edit ]
Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín signed with Miami 💱 in 2024
Inter Miami's first MLS game was played on March 1, 2024, losing 1–0, away to Los Angeles FC.[27] Designated 💱 Player Rodolfo Pizarro scored the first goal in Inter Miami history the following game on March 7, in a 2–1 💱 loss to D.C. United.[28] Their first home match was supposed to be on March 14, 2024, against LA Galaxy, Beckham's 💱 former club. The match has since been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[29] On August 23, 2024, Inter Miami recorded 💱 their first franchise victory, 3–2 over Orlando City.[30] On January 18, 2024, England Women's manager Phil Neville was appointed as 💱 the new head coach, and Seattle Sounders FC's Chris Henderson as chief soccer officer and sporting director.[31][32][33]
In 2024, the Mas 💱 brothers finalized a buyout to take over majority ownership of the team from Claure and Son.[34] On May 28, 2024, 💱 MLS announced that it would sanction Inter Miami CF, owner Jorge Mas, and former sporting director Paul McDonough for violating 💱 roster rules during the 2024 season. The club had signed Blaise Matuidi and Andrés Reyes using targeted allocation money (TAM) 💱 to comply with salary cap requirements and avoid using its three Designated Player slots, but were found to have exceeded 💱 the TAM maximum ofR$1.61 million per player. MLS fined the clubR$2 million and reduced its allocation dollars byR$2.27 million for 💱 the 2024 and 2024 seasons, while Mas was finedR$250,000 and McDonough was suspended from league activities through the end of 💱 the 2024 season.[35] Prior to the announcement, Matuidi was reclassified as a Designated Player by taking the slot occupied by 💱 Matías Pellegrini, who was loaned to Inter Miami CF II after his contract was bought out by the club.[36]
Messi era 💱 (2024–present) [ edit ]
Argentine attacker Lionel Messi signed with Miami in July 2024.
On June 1, 2024, Inter Miami announced that 💱 the club had parted ways with Neville. At the time, the club was placed last in the Eastern Conference.[37] Four 💱 days later, then seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi announced his intention to join the club as a free agent 💱 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, turning down an offer to play for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and ruling out a 💱 return to FC Barcelona.[38] Messi signed his Designated Player contract on July 15, 2024, joining the team through the 2025 💱 MLS season.[39] Argentine and former Barça manager Tata Martino was appointed as the head coach of the club on June 💱 28 and joined Miami the following month.[40]
Messi formally joined the team, alongside former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets, at an unveiling 💱 ceremony on July 16.[41] Five days later, another of his former Barcelona teammates, Jordi Alba, also signed for Inter Miami.[42] 💱 Following Messi's arrival, resale ticket prices for his first games with the club increased by over 1,000%. Inter Miami became 💱 the top selling team across all sports on e-commerce retailer Fanatics, while Messi broke the record for most shirt sales 💱 in 24 hours.[43] The average price for tickets to Miami matches on reseller StubHub increased five-fold toR$161 on average.[44]
Messi and 💱 Busquets made their debuts on July 21, 2024, at home in a 2–1 win over Cruz Azul in the 2024 💱 Leagues Cup, with both players coming on in the 54th minute.[45] Messi scored the winning goal from a free-kick in 💱 stoppage time, ending Miami's 11 game winless streak.[46] On August 19, in the 2024 Leagues Cup final against Nashville SC, 💱 Inter Miami lifted its first-ever trophy, winning 10–9 in penalties after a 1–1 draw.[47] Following the Leagues Cup win, Inter 💱 Miami qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the first time in the club's history; the team will start in 💱 the round of 16.[48]
On August 23, 2024, in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup, Inter Miami beat FC Cincinnati in penalties 💱 5–4 after a 3–3 draw in extra time to go into the final on September 27, were they lost against 💱 the Houston Dynamo FC 2–1, after Messi was unable to play.[49]
On August 26, 2024, Messi, Busquets and Alba marked their 💱 first appearances in the MLS against New York Red Bulls, which ended in a 2–0 victory.[50] Both players being brought 💱 in as substitutes in the 60th minute, and Messi netted the concluding goal. On September 16, 2024, Inter Miami were 💱 defeated for the first time in the Messi era without Messi or Alba playing against Atlanta United FC, being defeated 💱 5–2, ending their 12-match unbeaten run.[51] On October 7, 2024, Inter Miami were defeated by FC Cincinnati, despite Messi being 💱 subbed on in the 55th minute. This result eliminated them from making the MLS playoffs.[52] The Decision Day match between 💱 Inter Miami and Charlotte FC was held on October 21, 2024. Inter Miami were defeated 1–0, despite having Messi in 💱 for the entire match. This match marked the first time for Inter Miami that Messi played on artificial turf and 💱 wore away colors.[53]
On October 30, 2024, Inter Miami became the only MLS team to have a current player win the 💱 Ballon d'Or while at the club, when Messi secured his 8th award.[54] Because of this, Inter Miami held a friendly 💱 match with New York City FC entitled Noche d’Or. Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or was presented at the DRV PNK stadium.[55]
In 💱 November 2024, Inter Miami were going to visit two Chinese Super League teams, Qingdao Hainiu F.C. and Chengdu Rongcheng F.C., 💱 in friendly matches as part of the club's first ever international tour.[56] However, it was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances 💱 in China.[57]
Colors and badge [ edit ]
The Miami Beckham United group unveiled the team's name and colors on September 5, 💱 2024. The name was announced as Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami (Inter Miami CF). The crest, designed in style and 💱 colors that recall the city's Art Deco architectural tradition, displays two great white herons with interlocking legs forming a letter 💱 M. Between the herons is an eclipse, the sun bearing seven rays in an homage to the number Beckham often 💱 wore as a player.[58][59][60][61] The full achievement displays the team name encircling all with the Roman numerals MMXX representing the 💱 year 2024, the inaugural season of play.[62] The three pointed shield represents the three main communities of South Florida: Miami, 💱 Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach. The club's colors are pink and black.
The species of the birds in the crest 💱 was the subject of debate after its announcement and unveiling, with some speculating them to be flamingos and egrets.[63] The 💱 team later announced that the birds are white herons.[64]
The club's name has been the subject of a trademark dispute with 💱 Italian club Inter Milan, which had filed a claim with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the protected use 💱 of "Inter" in 2014. MLS filed an objection to the trademark claim in April 2024, arguing that the name "Inter" 💱 was generic due to its use by other clubs and could not be claimed exclusively.[65] As of 2024, the case 💱 continues.[66]
Uniform evolution [ edit ]
Home [ edit ]
2024–2024 2024–2024
Away [ edit ]
2024 2024–2024 2024–
Stadium [ edit ]
Miami Freedom Park [ 💱 edit ]
The site of the former Melreese Country Club is the future location of Miami Freedom Park.
In March 2024, Inter 💱 Miami began to play in Fort Lauderdale. They will continue to do so until their new stadium, temporarily known as 💱 Miami Freedom Park, is completed.[67][68] The project will include a 25,000-seat stadium that would form part of Freedom Park, a 💱 mixed-use complex on the former site of the city-owned Melreese Country Club near the Miami International Airport. Approval for construction 💱 of the stadium depended on the outcome of a public referendum held on November 6, 2024, and approval of city 💱 officials.[69] The result of the referendum had roughly 60 percent of voters approving the measure to convert the city-owned golf 💱 course near the international airport into Inter Miami CF's new stadium.[70]
The development, being built on 131-acre (53 ha) public land, 💱 will include 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m2) of office, retail and commercial space, 750 hotel rooms, 23 acres (9.3 ha) 💱 of public soccer fields in addition to the 10.5-acre (4.2 ha) stadium, and the remaining 58 acres (23 ha) will 💱 be a public park. The club owners will also make annual installments ofR$20 million for 30 years for improvements to 💱 public parks across the city.[71]
The site follows a lengthy exploration of other locations since Beckham’s purchase of the franchise.[72] Noted 💱 locations that had previously been considered included: Dodge Island at PortMiami (2013), the Downtown Miami waterfront at Museum Park (2014),[73][74] 💱 a site adjacent to MLB's Marlins Park (2024), and a privately owned site in Miami's Overtown (2024–16).[75][76][77][78]
In August 2024 it 💱 was announced that the final legal hurdle had been cleared and construction had finally commenced on the stadium, with an 💱 anticipated completion date of 2025, which is the final year of Messi’s contract with the club.[79]
DRV PNK Stadium [ edit 💱 ]
DRV PNK Stadium is a soccer stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on the site of the former Lockhart Stadium.[80] The 💱 stadium is oriented north–south for soccer configuration, so the sun won't be in the eyes of the goal keeper.[81] The 💱 stadium is the primary headquarters for the team and its youth academy in addition to further training grounds.[81]
The Fort Lauderdale 💱 Strikers announced in 2024 that they were moving out of Lockhart Stadium,[82] after which the stadium fell into a state 💱 of disrepair.[83] In late January 2024, Inter Miami announced its intentions to pursue the Lockhart Stadium site to serve as 💱 the club's training ground for its first team, USL League One reserve team Inter Miami CF II, and youth academy. 💱 The development would also include a 21,000-seat stadium, which will serve as the permanent home of Inter Miami CF II 💱 and as the interim home for Inter Miami for at least the first two seasons while the Miami Freedom Park 💱 stadium is under construction.[84] The Fort Lauderdale city council unanimously approved Inter Miami's bid for the Lockhart Stadium site in 💱 March 2024. In April, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission cleared Inter Miami to begin the demolition process.[83][85] On July 9, 💱 2024, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission unanimously approved a 50-year lease agreement for the Lockhart Stadium site with Inter Miami; 💱 under the terms of the agreement, the city will retain ownership of the property while the soccer club will be 💱 responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the new facilities.[86]
Training complex [ edit ]
In late January 2024, the club 💱 announced its intentions to pursue the Lockhart Stadium site in Fort Lauderdale to serve as the club's training ground for 💱 its first team, youth academy, and future United Soccer League (USL) team.[87]
The new training complex consist of over 30 acres 💱 (12 ha) of grass and green space, that will include various amenities such as a park, youth soccer fields, and 💱 a community center. Upon completion, the complex is used as the permanent training facilities for all levels of Inter Miami's 💱 teams ranging from their Youth Academy teams and USL League One team to the first team that plays in MLS.[88]
Ownership 💱 [ edit ]
The ownership group behind the franchise was first formed in 2013 as Miami Beckham United, though it now 💱 trades under the name Miami Freedom Park LLC.[23] The original ownership group was led by Miami-based Bolivian businessman Marcelo Claure,[89] 💱 while Masayoshi Son and brothers Jorge and Jose Mas were added to the ownership group in 2024.[90] The effort originated 💱 in a contract David Beckham signed with MLS in 2007; he joined LA Galaxy and negotiated an option to own 💱 an expansion team at a discounted franchise fee.[23][91]
On September 17, 2024, it was announced that Beckham and the Mas brothers 💱 had bought out Claure and Son's stakes in the ownership group.[92] Ares Management was also added to the ownership group.[93]
Supporters 💱 [ edit ]
Supporter section at DRV PNK Stadium with The Siege (Siege Miami) in the right and Vice City 1896 💱 and Southern Legion (La Legion) in the middle
The club has four official supporters groups: The Siege, Southern Legion, Vice City 💱 1896, and Nación Rosa Y Negro.[94]
Rivalries [ edit ]
The club has an intrastate rivalry with Orlando City SC, currently the 💱 team's closest neighbors and only other Florida-based team in MLS.[95] Orlando City joined MLS in 2024 but had to wait 💱 until its sixth season to play a first intrastate match against an MLS opponent following the introduction of Inter Miami 💱 as an expansion franchise in 2024. Unlike a lot of rivalries in Major League Soccer, there is no name for 💱 this series although several have been proposed to little to no success.[96]
The club also has an intracity rivalry in USL 💱 Championship club Miami FC. It is known as the "Miami Clásico".[97]
Honors [ edit ]
International [ edit ]
Leagues Cup
Champions (1): 2024
Players 💱 and staff [ edit ]
Squad [ edit ]
As of January 4, 2024[98]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA 💱 eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan [ edit ]
Note: Flags indicate national team as 💱 defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Technical staff [ edit ]
As of June 28, 💱 2024
Head coaches [ edit ]
As of October 21, 2024
Name Nationality Tenure G W D L Win % Diego Alonso December 💱 30, 2024 – January 7, 2024 24 7 3 14 0 29.17 Phil Neville January 18, 2024 – June 1, 💱 2024 90 35 13 42 0 38.89 Javier Morales (interim) June 1, 2024 – July 10, 2024 7 1 3 💱 3 0 14.29 Gerardo Martino July 10, 2024 – present 22 9 7 6 0 40.91
Records [ edit ]
Seasons [ 💱 edit ]
This table of the last few Inter Miami CF seasons is an excerpt from List of Inter Miami CF 💱 seasons § Seasons
Infrastructure [ edit ]
Reserve team [ edit ]
On October 9, 2024, the club announced that they will be 💱 fielding a reserve team in the third tier of US Soccer, USL League One. This team allows the club to 💱 prepare future players with quality competition in hopes of being called up to the first team. The unnamed League One 💱 Miami team will train at the training facilities of Inter Miami CF Stadium.[99]
The team was to open their inaugural season 💱 on March 27, 2024, against Union Omaha at Inter Miami CF Stadium but the match was postponed due to the 💱 COVID-19 pandemic.[100]
On February 24, 2024, Fort Lauderdale CF announced that the team had rebranded as Inter Miami CF II ahead 💱 of their move to the MLS Next Pro, the new reserve league for MLS teams.[101]
Academy [ edit ]
The Inter Miami 💱 CF Academy is the official youth academy and development system of Inter Miami CF that was established in 2024.[102] The 💱 academy consists of various levels of age groups, ranging from U-12 to U-17. These teams will also train at the 💱 training grounds in Inter Miami CF Stadium alongside their MLS and USL League One counterparts. All of Inter Miami's youth 💱 teams compete in the MLS Next soccer league as of the inaugural 2024 season. The system covers the under-12, under-13, 💱 under-14, under-15, and under-17 age groups.[103]
Media [ edit ]
The team's first three matches in the 2024 season were assigned to 💱 national broadcasts; a broadcast deal was not announced before the suspension of play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 💱 team did announce that Ray Hudson would serve as color commentator,[104] Andres Cordero served as the play-by-play commentator, joined by 💱 Fernando Fiore as the host, and Kaylyn Kyle as the sideline reporter.[105] On April 3, 2024, the club announced a 💱 regional English-language television deal with CBS Television Stations, under which its regional matches will air on MyNetworkTV affiliate WBFS-TV, with 💱 selected matches airing on CBS station WFOR-TV.[106] Then on April 30, the club announced a Spanish rights deal with Univision, 💱 where games would be aired on its TV affiliate WAMI and radio affiliate WQBA, with a broadcast team consisting of 💱 Ramses Sandoval, Luis Omar Tapia [es], Daniel Nohra [es], Diego Balado [es], Nicholas Cantor and Tony Cherchi.[107]
All of Major League 💱 Soccer's regional television contracts expired after the 2024 season, with all television coverage moving to MLS Season Pass on Apple 💱 TV.[108]
