Can Inter Miami build a super team for Messi? MLS Rules, Designated Player and Salary Cap

His followers Inter Miami they are excited, and not for less. From his announcement the next arrival of Lionel Messi for the team, the air on the streets of South Florida has a scent of hope, and that is that in the face of the current evil in the league, the contribution of the last world champion could not only turn the situation around, but also pave the way for qualification.

The Argentine will have all the comforts and every requirement will be met. Of that there is no doubt. His early arrival Gerardo Martino as coach It could be one of the first that is already in order. Whoever coached Barcelona in 2013-2014 and shared the star both there and with the Argentina national team will soon take over the reins of the team.

That move would have a lot of influence, not from Messi directly, but from the board to convince him even more before he signs his contract, which according to reports will run until 2026. However, terms have not been discussed.

At first, it is not known under what conditions Rosario will sign. And that’s why it’s worth reviewing the MLS regulations. Will he be a new designated player at Inter Miami? It’s the first question. If so, the second one is How will they fare with their other three players under contract? And another, third is how could Busquets, Di Maria, Jordi Alba or any other star if they want to wear pink and black?

Watch MLS in the United States on Apple TV: sign up here

The answers to these questions are explained by The Sporting News below:

What is a Designated Player? The salary cap in the MLS

To understand its context Messi contractfirst you have to explore how the league works, because unlike in Europe, in the United States teams don’t party with money. There is a salary cap in which each club cannot spend more than a certain amount on wages. By the year 2023, that cap reached $5.2 million.

In other words, each club must adjust their squads so that, between all contracts between 18 and 20 players, they do not exceed a certain amount. However, with the arrival of David Beckham in 2007 the Los Angeles Galaxy, the league opened the possibility of signing players who earn money above that limit.

Over time, these spaces in brackets became from one to three. That’s why today, every team has three Franchise Players (DP).

In the case of Inter Miami, these positions are already filled by captain Gregor ($826,000), Rodolfo Pizarro ($3,350,000) and Josef Martínez ($4,000,000), who have this guaranteed compensation annually. So if all three DP positions are filled, where does Messi fit in?

GAM and TAM money

Before explaining the present of Inter’s AS, you must first review In another way the teams in the league get extra money in their checkbooks. First is the General Allocation Money (GAM), or money they receive by the organization of the tournament for signings from other clubs or through trades with other teams, even through the MLS Draft.

In this case they are given 1.9 million dollars.

The other option is the Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) which is similar to the above though Intended only for Franchise Players whose salary is to be adjusted so that they continue in the institution. By season 2.7 million are allocated to him dollars to each club.

Inter Miami franchise players: What is their status?

gregor He reached 2021 and signed for four years with the option of one more. At the start of 2023 it was speculated that he might leave the club, but he ended up staying. The problem for him was that last March he suffered a serious injury to his left leg (Lisfranc ligament) for which he underwent surgery and is in the process of six months of recovery.

Joseph Martinez He is no less than the tenth all-time top scorer in the league with 102 goals until June 2023. He is only 29 years old and has won everything in MLS. He arrived this year from Atlanta United to replace Gonzalo Higuaín and is the player (before Mess) who earns the most money annually. His separation, in this sense, seems very unlikely.

Pizarro’s situation is more complicated. His performance was not as expected and he is currently injured since April (muscular). He has played just nine games this season and was loaned out to Monterrey in Liga MX last half-year.

2023 is the last year of the contract he signed in 2020, when he arrived from Rayados. Among the three, he has the surest exit on the ramp at Fort Lauderdale Airport.

Messi, when he arrives, will probably occupy the DP position, so Gregor or Martinez would go to the GAM contract, although in the case of the Venezuelan it is more complicated due to his high salary.

He dream team of Inter Miami: Busquets, Di María and more sound

Busquets, Alba, Di Maria… These are names that have been heard in recent days and that are on the radar of Inter Miami. But their arrivals would be just as complicated. The Spanish midfielder has closed his circle with Barcelona and is looking for fresh air. Media reports that he would arrive in Florida on a Franchise Player contract. Again, to achieve this, one of the vacancies must be opened.

Jordi Alba is another one who said goodbye to the Catalan club. At 34, he is attracted to the Inter project before other offers from Saudi Arabia. According to Esto Es MLS, the European would not come as a DP, but the bonuses and money given to him would be adjusted to make his signing possible.

Di Maria and even Luis Suarez look like a dream, but it is very difficult to predict their intentions. The Argentine has completed his spell with Juventus and is without a team, but the Uruguayan is under contract with Gremio do Brasil until 2024. However, recent notes suggest he is weighing up the option to retire due to physical issues.