Lionel Messi reportedly tries to lure Argentine player to Inter Miami, but one key obstacle holds up deal
After securing a spot in the Leagues Cup semifinals with a win over Tigres UANL, Inter Miami are now shifting focus to their upcoming challenges, as they also aim to climb the standings in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. To do so, the Herons need to raise the team’s overall level — something Lionel Messi has reportedly taken an active role in.
In recent days, Inter Miami have expressed interest in Gonzalo Piovi, an Argentine defender currently playing for Cruz Azul. While he remains a key player for the Mexican side, he reportedly has intentions of moving to Miami — especially after Leo’s intervention in the process.
“For Piovi, the decision was easier because Messi called him personally to convince him to sign with the Major League Soccer team,” wrote Mexican reporter David Medrano in MedioTiempo. “Being Argentine, it’s practically impossible to say no to the world champion.”
Piovi is a left-footed center-back who can also slot in as a left-back when needed. He spent most of his professional career in Argentina with clubs like Velez Sarsfield, Argentinos Juniors, and Colon, but his breakout came with Racing Club between 2021 and 2023. His strong performances earned him a transfer to Cruz Azul, who paid $2.5 million for him a year and a half ago.
The obstacle holding up Piovi’s move to Inter Miami
After Lionel Messi’s alleged call, Gonzalo Piovi appeared set on making the move to MLS. That sped up negotiations between the clubs, with Cruz Azul demanding around $7.5 million for the Argentine defender.
According to Marca, Inter Miami offered between $6 million and $7 million — a figure close to what the Mexican club had reportedly set as their minimum. However, one key sticking point has caused the deal to stall: the Herons are offering to pay in installments spread over four years, while Cruz Azul are seeking as much of the fee as possible upfront.
Inter Miami in need of a left-footed defender
Aiming to strengthen the squad heading into the crucial stretch of the MLS season, Inter Miami have targeted one of their most vulnerable areas: the back line. Aside from Jordi Alba, who remains a cornerstone of the defense, most of the other spots have rotated throughout the year.
Maximiliano Falcon has been the most used center-back in 2025, with 31 appearances across all competitions. Tomas Aviles has also featured heavily, playing in 27 matches. However, others like Noah Allen and Gonzalo Lujan — both natural full-backs — have also been deployed in central roles.
This constant shuffling, coupled with the lack of natural left-footed center-backs following the departure of Hector David Martinez, highlights the squad’s weaknesses. That’s why bringing in a player like Gonzalo Piovi — given his profile and quality — could be a crucial move for Inter Miami at this stage of the season.