Inter Miami on international duty: How did the Herons player perform?

The FIFA international break is over. Many national teams are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, while some others have already been eliminated from the competition.

Inter Miami had eight players called up to defend their country on the road to the sport’s most important tournament.

These players were: Lionel Messi (already training with the Herons), Rodrigo De Paul, Telasco Segovia, Noah Allen, David Ruiz, Fafa Picault, Mateo Silvetti, and Santi Morales.

However, how did these players perform in their national break, and if they had minutes in their respective matches?

How did Inter Miami players do during the international break?

• Lionel Messi: The Herons’ captain played the full 90 minutes against Venezuela last Thursday. In that game, Messi scored two goals and delivered one assist. Apart from his numbers, the former FC Barcelona player was important for his national squad victories. Pulling the strings in attack and distributing the ball to slow the tempo when needed

• Rodrigo De Paul: Aside from Messi, the Motorcito played 90 minutes against Venezuela and 68 minutes against Ecuador. De Paul had an outstanding game against the Vinotinto, while having a quiet performance against the Tricolor. Rodrigo will arrive in Miami with considerable fatigue from the minutes he played.

• Telasco Segovia: The 22-year-old winger played 72 minutes against Brazil, scoring the goal that broke the tie (0-0). However, his performance wasn’t enough, and Venezuela lost 6-3 against Colombia. With this score, the Vinotinto was eliminated from the World Cup playoff.  Segovia was left out of the squad against Argentina.

• David Ruiz: The Guatemalan played 36 minutes between the games against Haití and Nicaragua. This is his first call-up since September of last year. Without contributions, Ruiz was subbed on during the match's second half.

• Fafá Picault: The Haitian footballer participated in his national team's first game against Honduras. Fafá played 81 minutes as a left winger in the draw against David Ruiz's national squad.  

• Noah Allen: Allen was called up for the Greece sub-21 team game against Malta. The youngster played as a left back, a position he sporadically plays with Inter Miami. The Greek player was on the field the whole 90 minutes and gave an assist on the squad’s 5-0 victory.

• Mateo Silvetti: Inter Miami’s new signing was called up for Argentina’s under-20 national team. The former Newell’s Old Boys player is currently competing in the Under-20 World Cup, where his team shares a group with Cuba, Australia, and Italy.

• Santi Morales: The youngster for Inter Miami’s academy has been called up to the Under-19 national squad for a training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia.

In less than four days, Inter Miami is facing Charlotte FC to clinch a spot in the playoffs, this players should feed off their international duty and use that rhythm to perform at a high level on Saturday night.