Jeff Carlisle Apr 15, 2026, 09:55 AM ET Close Jeff Carlisle covers MLS and the U.S. national team for ESPN FC. Give Jorge Mas credit. The Inter Miami owner had a vision to bring Lionel Messi to South Florida, sprinkle in some of Messi's friends, add in some complementary players from Argentina as well as the academy, and make a run to be a force both on and off the field. And it worked. The long-awaited opening of Nu Stadium was a seminal moment for an organization that had numerous false starts. On the field, the Herons won a Leagues Cup in 2023, a Supporters' Shield in 2024 and an MLS Cup in 2025. Now, though, that vision is in need of some refining. The list of available Friends of Messi -- at least on the field -- is dwindling, and rapidly. There are too few of them left. Sergio Busquets and his metronome-like consistency in midfield has retired. Ditto for Jordi Alba and his attacks down the left flank.…