Lionel Messi's Inter Miami keen on signing veteran Argentina star ahead of 2026 MLS season: Reports

Inter Miami are reportedly interested to snap up captain Lionel Messi's former Argentine teammate Marcos Rojo. The 35-year-old centre-back plies his trade with Racing Club in Argentina.

Rojo, who has been with his current side since arriving from Boca Juniors in October on a free transfer, is out of contract at the end of the season. He has made eight appearances across three different competitions for Racng but is yet to make a goal contribution.

Capped 61 times by the Albiceleste, Rojo had his last competitive outing in a 4-3 Round of 16 defeat to eventual champions France at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. As per Athlon Sports (via TNT Sports), the veteran Manchester United centre-back is back in the radar of Inter Miami who were also interested in his services in 2023 and now want him before the 2026 MLS season commences.

Rojo and Messi were at the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this year, albeit for different sides, with the former not appearing in any of his then side Boca Junior's three group games.

Together, Rojo and Messi have played 45 matches together for Argentina (both players being on the pitch at the same time), recording two joint goal contributions, with each player assistng the other once. Both goal contributions came in wins in competitive outings for the Albiceleste.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi set to face Lamine Yamal

Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi

More than four years since he last played for Barcelona, Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi is set to face his old club's prodigy Lamine Yamal for the first time when the Albiceleste play reigning European champions Spain in the Finalissima.

The match is set to take place at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on March 27 next year, marking the very first meeting between the two players. The Albiceleste are the defending champions, having beaten Italy 3-0 three years ago.

It's pertinent to note that Yamal now wears Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey at Barca. The Argentine is inarguably one of the greatest ever to play for the Blaugrana, scoring nearly 700 times and winning multiple big titles in an illustrious stint between 2004 and 2021.

Edited by Bhargav