Lionel Messi faces a major shock at Inter Miami

Tadeo Allende has emerged as the center of attention at Inter Miami with his explosive performance leading the team to the MLS Cup final, but the Argentine star's future after the 2025 season is still unclear.

Lionel Messi is having a breakout season in the MLS, guiding Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup final in the club’s history. However, looking ahead to the 2026 campaign, Inter Miami’s captain could face a significant loss as a key teammate has left his departure open with a cryptic statement: “A lot of things can happen.”

With 29 goals and 16 assists in 28 matches, Messi shone brightly throughout the regular season. But in the playoffs, Tadeo Allende became Miami’s main scoring threat. Now, with his loan deal expiring in December 2025, the Argentine forward’s future is a major concern for the club’s long-term plans.

After the win against New York City, where Allende scored a hat-trick, he was asked about his future and whether he prioritizes returning to Europe or staying with Miami. His response only fueled more doubt: “I don’t know, a lot can happen. Right now, I just want to celebrate and see what comes next. I have a final next weekend, and I’m focused on that.”

Allende joined Inter Miami on a one-year loan from Celta Vigo at the start of the 2025 season. To keep him, Miami will have to negotiate either a second loan deal or a permanent transfer with the La Liga club. According to Transfermarkt, his transfer value is around 3 million Euros, and no buyout clause has been announced yet.

According to Argentine transfer expert César Luis Merlo, Inter Miami has begun talks to retain Allende for the 2026 season. However, they are expected to face strong competition as River Plate has also shown interest, which could complicate Miami’s efforts to keep one of their brightest stars.

Messi has dominated headlines with his best statistical season since arriving in MLS, but in this year’s playoff series, Allende has taken on the scoring responsibility. His recent fiery form brings him close to a historic MLS milestone.

Allende has scored 8 goals against Nashville SC, FC Cincinnati, and NYCFC. If he scores again in the final against Vancouver Whitecaps this weekend, he will become the top scorer in a single MLS postseason, surpassing Carlos Ruiz’s record of 8 goals for LA Galaxy in 2002. The current list is as follows:

• Tadeo Allende (2025) – Inter Miami: 8 goals

• Carlos Ruiz (2002) – LA Galaxy: 8 goals

• Lionel Messi (2025) – Inter Miami: 6 goals

• Robbie Keane (2012) – LA Galaxy: 6 goals

• Dejan Joveljić (2024) – LA Galaxy: 6 goals

• Jozy Altidore (2016) – Toronto FC: 5 goals

Before the MLS Cup final, Allende was asked about his chance to make history, but he remained modest: “Breaking a record is never easy. I don’t think about that; I just do my job. When it’s my turn to score, I enjoy it. When it’s not, and I need to assist or apply pressure up front, I do that too. Hopefully, I can do that in the final.”

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