Inter Miami and Lionel Messi face one of the most season-defining matches in less than 48 hours, as they need to overturn a 0-2 deficit suffered in Canada against Vancouver Whitecaps to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final. However, they will have to do so with a new absence, after the departure of one of their soccer players was confirmed.
The player in question is Julian Gressel, who leaves Inter Miami after a year and four months at the club and 40 games played, where he registered a goal and ten assists. Gressel was a key player on the team with Gerardo Martino, but had not added minutes this season, under the command of Javier Mascherano.
This Tuesday, Inter Miami made official the departure of Gressel, who will become a Minnesota United player with immediate effect. The six-time international with the United States National Team had already had steps through Atlanta United, DC United, Vancouver Whitecaps and Columbus Crew in the MLS and signed until 2026 with Minnesota. The club has the option to extend it for one more year.
Champions Cup semifinal
Since his arrival to Inter Miami, Messi has already won the Leagues Cups and the Supporters’ Shield with the club, but in 2024 he was eliminated from the Concachampions in quarterfinals vs. Monterrey. The CONCACAF Champions Cup is one of the most important tournaments in Central and North America, so Wednesday’s match will be key for the season.
This Wednesday Messi and Inter Miami must turn around the 0-2 suffered in Vancouver last Thursday if they want to reach the final of the competition. On the other side of the key are Tigres and Cruz Azul, two Mexican teams, which tied 1-1 in the first leg and will define the classified to the final at home of the cement team.
Inter Miami faces a tough challenge to overturn the deficit against Vancouver, and the departure of Julian Gressel adds another layer of difficulty to their task.
