Inter Miami's Million-Dollar Question: Which Superstar Will Claim Their Open DP Spot?
Shortly after claiming the MLS Cup victory, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas informed the media that the franchise's objective was to capture the Concacaf Champions Cup.
For MLS's most ambitious organization, this target is within reach, despite the significant challenges ahead. Having reached the 2025 semifinals, they can approach 2026 with considerable optimism. Nevertheless, achieving this goal will require further roster enhancement.
Inter Miami will need to fill one Designated Player position for 2026, a role that impacts the MLS salary cap by $743,750, provided they maintain their current structure of three DPs and three U22 Initiative players.
Initially, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba served as the team's DPs, but the departure of the latter two legends created two openings, with one now filled by Rodrigo De Paul's permanent acquisition from Atlético Madrid.
If the club adopts an alternative roster construction approach, they could utilize Messi and De Paul as DPs, while incorporating up to four U22 Initiative Players and an extra $2 Million in General Allocation Money. However, this scenario seems unlikely.
The ownership consortium of Jose and Jorge Mas, along with David Beckham, will probably make a significant investment to secure the DP position. But which players might they pursue?
Here are three possible candidates for the Herons entering 2026.
1. Neymar—Winger
Visualizing Neymar wearing Inter Miami colors alongside Messi and possibly Luis Suárez, who continues contract negotiations, would be compelling. Although the 33-year-old no longer holds the title of Brazil's premier player and ambassador, he remains an attractive prospect.
Neymar would integrate perfectly into Miami's formation and could replace Tadeo Allende, whose loan from Celta Vigo concluded after establishing a new record for most goals in a single MLS Cup playoff run. If Miami retains Allende, then Neymar and the Argentine forward would form the league's most formidable wide attacking partnership.
However, acquiring Neymar presents several concerns. He participated in 29 matches during the 2025 Brazilian campaign, netting 11 goals with four assists, but crucially missed 17 games due to injuries.
Approaching his 34th birthday in February, Neymar likely seeks a situation allowing him to maintain fitness while potentially earning a spot on Brazil's World Cup squad for an international send-off. Despite his celebrity status and impressive credentials, he might not be the player Miami requires to prioritize winning the early-season Concacaf Champions Cup.
2. Robert Lewandowski—Striker
Inter Miami presently lacks strikers who accumulated over 400 minutes during 2025, and even when depending on Suárez for starting duties, the Uruguayan's output declined from 20 goals in 2024 to just 10.
The Herons clearly require a striker solution, so why not consider Messi's former Barcelona colleague and one of history's greatest goalscorers, Robert Lewandowski?
The 37-year-old's Barcelona contract concludes this summer, and while the Catalans hold a 12-month extension option, they're actively planning for a future without the Polish striker leading their attack.
Nevertheless, Lewandowski has netted eight goals in 12 La Liga matches during 2025–26, demonstrating his continued elite-level capability.
Miami possesses the financial resources to pursue such a talent, and an MLS transfer has been previously discussed. He would immediately partner with Messi in attack and likely establish multiple MLS scoring records.
The question remains whether Lewandowski would choose Miami. While the Herons can offer substantial compensation, his expected MLS move might favor the west coast, given former Bundesliga teammates Marco Reus at LA Galaxy and Thomas Müller at Vancouver Whitecaps.
3. Paulo Dybala—Striker
When Inter Miami took the field for MLS Cup, six starters represented Argentina. With Messi driving much of the South Florida project, the nation remains the preferred source for new acquisitions: Consider Paulo Dybala.
The former Juventus forward may not be the ideal positional match with Messi present, as demonstrated with Argentina. However, Messi's Miami role differs sufficiently that he might not clash with the 32-year-old in attack.
Dybala, who has experienced a difficult season scoring twice in Serie A with AS Roma, has a contract ending after the 2025–26 European campaign, making him a coveted free agent.
The opportunity to play alongside Messi and De Paul could entice him to join, particularly as he'd likely secure a prominent role to enhance his profile before the World Cup, having previously declined a lucrative Saudi Arabian offer.
That financial package could resurface, but he might choose to cross the Atlantic and join the MLS Cup champions if Miami makes their move.