Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are reportedly pushing for USMNT international on previously terminated MLS contract

InterMiami continue to work on strengthening their roster for the upcoming season beyond their 2025 MLS Cup triumph, with the club now aiming for more silverware. While they want to strengthen the team around Star Lionel Messi, the Herons have reportedly expressed interest in signing a USMNT international whose MLS contract has been terminated in the past.

With negotiations for Giovani Lo Celso still ongoing, Inter Miami also needs to replace a number of key figures who have either retired. such as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Albaor returned to their parent clubs after a loan period, including Baltasar Rodríguez and Tadeo Allende. Faced with obstacles in re-signing some of these players, the club has turned its attention to one MLS-proven option.

According to Argentinian transfer expert César Luis Merlo Inter Miami is pushing for a contract Mother Miljevic. The former CF Montréal midfielder has emerged as one of the best attacking midfielders in Argentina’s Primera División with Huracán, and has now become a prime target for the Herons as they look to bring him back to North America.

However, as reported, Inter Miami has made a first attempt to approach Huracán regarding Miljevic no formal offer has been submitted. Any deal would require a strong offer, as the Argentine club has already done rejected an offer of $2.8 million of Racing Club for 80 percent of the player rights.

Born in Miami, Miljevic earned his first call-up under Mauricio Pochettino, making his USMNT debut during the January 2025 window. He marked his international debut by scoring in a 3–1 win over Venezuela and also played against Costa Rica, but has not been involved with the national team since, missing both friendlies and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

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In 2025, Miljevic established himself as a key figure for Huracán, helping the club reach the final of Torneo Clausura. he registered eight goals and eight assists in 42 appearances in all competitions. With Baltasar Rodríguez unlikely to return, Miljevic’s attacking skills and versatility, including the ability to play on the left wing, have made him a leading candidate to become one of Messi’s new teammates.

Miljevic and a controversial MLS stint

A product of the Argentinos Juniors academy, Matko Miljevic was once considered one of Argentina’s promising young midfielders. even making appearances during Lionel Scaloni’s time with the country’s U-20 national team. Despite his technical prowess, off-field issues have also played a role in shaping his career path.

Miljevic joined CF Montréal in September 2021earning his first MLS minutes with the Canadian club. During the 2022 season, he struggled to secure a regular starting role, but still made 28 appearances, scoring once and adding three assists.

Controversy followed in 2023, a campaign that began with Miljevic sidelined with a meniscus injury before returning in May. As he tries to regain his place, Reports emerged that he had participated in a local amateur league (the Quebec Calcetto Soccer League) under an assumed name..

The situation escalated in September, while the MLS season was still underway, when Miljevic was reportedly involved in a serious altercation on the field, during which he allegedly punched an opponent and spit at him. The amateur league issued a lifetime ban, and later that month, MLS released a statement confirming the termination of his contract: “After an investigation MLS has terminated the contract of CF Montréal midfielder Matko Miljevic for conduct detrimental to the league and for breaching his player agreement.”

Caden Clark #23 of the United States celebrates with Matko Miljevic #11 after scoring.

The episode has not been forgotten by some fans. When Miljevic debuted for the USMNT, there were calls to select Real Salt Lake’s Diego Lunaa situation that seems to have since been addressed by Pochettino. With a possible move to Inter Miami alongside Messi on the table, it remains to be seen how warmly he will be received by the local fan base.