Lionel Messi will not have Sergio Busquets or Jordi Alba with him in the next MLS season, as both players are retiring after Inter Miami’s playoff run, for which the team is already qualified. This week, the club made a significant roster change by extending the contract of a young midfielder.
“Inter Miami CF announced today that it has signed Academy product David Ruiz to a contract extension through the 2028 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with an option for the Club to extend the contract for 2029,” the club stated.
The 21-year-old midfielder from Honduras is in his third season with Inter Miami, having joined as a Homegrown Player in 2023. Ruiz played a key role under Gerardo “Tata” Martino during the team’s 2023 Leagues Cup victory and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield.
This year has been tough for Ruiz. Injuries have limited him to just seven games, and he will miss the rest of the season after having surgery for a muscle injury that has bothered him all year.
David Ruiz of Inter Miami during an MLS game. (Getty Images)
What’s next for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami has one regular-season match left, a road game against Nashville SC, before focusing on the MLS Cup Playoffs. The club has secured a playoff spot and aims to improve from last year’s first-round exit to Atlanta United.
Currently, the Herons, led by Lionel Messi, are in third place in the Eastern Conference with 62 points, tied with FC Cincinnati. However, the Supporters’ Shield is out of reach, as the Philadelphia Union have already clinched the title this month.
Messi is excelling in his second MLS season, leading the Golden Boot race with 26 goals, two ahead of Denis Bouanga. He is also a strong contender for MLS MVP, aiming to become the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons.