Lionel Messi is due to depart Inter Miami this summer for the Copa America, yet an injury update could now be the real problem for the Herons.
The Florida franchise have been no strangers to fitness issues this season, with Messi alone missing a month of action due to a hamstring injury as Benjamin Cremaschi and Jordi Alba have also spent spells out injured.
With Facundo Farias out for the season and Diego Gomez also weeks away from returning, injuries have been a massive problem for Inter Miami this season, with Federico Redondo also out on the sideline.
And this week has seen a new name join the injured list, and it could be the biggest blow yet.
Inter Miami suffer injury nightmare as Nicolas Freire tears ACL
As per Inter Miami’s official website, Nicolas Freire will be out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in Saturday’s 1-0 win against DC United, with the on-loan Pumas defender likely to return to Mexico.
With Inter Miami’s defense one of the shakiest in MLS, losing a key center-back in Freire is nothing short of disastrous, with 19-year-old Tomas Aviles starting to form a real connection with his fellow Argentine.
Although the Herons could find a solution via the transfer window, Inter Miami still need to wait some weeks before the market is open for business, during which time Messi will be at the Copa America.
And heading into the summer, there’s a real sense that Freire’s injury could be as bad for Inter Miami’s MLS Cup prospects as Messi missing some six games due to competing in the Copa America.
Inter Miami must do all they can to replace Freire this summer
Given the limitations Inter Miami now face when it comes to making signings, the Herons will be in a bind this summer when it comes to replacing a player as key as Freire.
Indeed, the 30-year-old defender has impressed in patches this season for Inter Miami, and the Florida franchise are noticeably worse off when Freire is not on the pitch than when he is starting in the defense.
Inter Miami’s biggest loss of the season came when Freire was out injured with a muscle problem, and heading into the Copa America, the Herons could face an even bigger issue at the back with the Argentine gone than Messi’s absence.