Like any startup, though, there comes a point where the promise of a clever idea has to morph into something substantial, otherwise the project never really gets off the ground. That hasn’t quite happened just yet, although the opening of their permanent stadium in two years’ time will help, and it’s not entirely clear if or when Miami will get there. After all, their dalliance with Messi is taking up plenty of oxygen.
Reporting from ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens indicates that, for now, Messi is prioritizing staying at a top level in Europe. Paris Saint-Germain are keen to hang onto Messi, and have engaged in negotiations, with Barcelona lurking in the background, appealing to Messi’s emotions to return to the club where he first made a name for himself.
Miami, to its credit, has obviously positioned itself in the race, although it seems as though Messi will come to them on his timing rather than theirs. That leaves Miami in a state of limbo, waiting for a messiah who may never arrive.
When Messi’s name is brought up to Neville and Henderson, there’s an acknowledgement that if he does join, it will change everything. And even if he doesn’t, there is confidence that the lure of Miami and its new stadium will be enough of a draw that some other player will take the plunge.
“If we can get a top star player who fits our vision and the player profiles of what we’re looking for, if those all fit together, then great,” said Henderson. “Let’s get that player, and then the benefits that come with it; increasing ticket sales and the notoriety around the team, that’s all a positive and a plus. But the first thing is they just have to fit kind of the way we want to play and the characters we want to bring into the club.”
It would certainly fit with Miami and the public pronouncements of co-owner Jorge Mas. (Despite repeated requests, Mas wasn’t made available for an interview.) Neville feels it matches the vibe of the city.
“[The fans] want to see a star,” Neville said. “It’s the stardust-type area.”
Clearly, if everything breaks Miami’s way, the organization will have to bend to Messi rather than the other way around. Until then, though, Neville and Henderson are left to put on their hard hats and build, even amid the sanctions from violating the league’s roster rules by having too many Designated Players in 2020. The impact to the team’s salary budget is still being felt, although that will end after this season.
What’s been constructed has some solidity to it. Callender looks to be one of the league’s standout keepers. Serhiy Kryvtsov appears to be an astute pickup in the back. There have been tests, including a current three-game losing streak, and the long-term foot injury to midfield linchpin Gregore. Those are by no means the first. The biggest stress test of all came last season when Neville benched Higuain, and delivered the kind of blunt message that players usually only appreciate after the fact.
