Inter Miami are aiming for their boldest move yet: bring Robert Lewandowski to South Florida in 2026 and line him up next to Lionel Messi. It is the kind of headline that changes a league. It also comes at a moment when Miami’s roster is shifting and a key Designated Player slot is opening. Reports suggest the club is preparing the path now for a marquee striker to take over up front, and few names carry more weight than Lewandowski.

The timing matters. Miami will undergo turnover after the 2025 MLS season, with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba set to retire and Luis Suárez out of contract. Messi, meanwhile, is locked in with a new deal through 2028. The message is clear: build the next great supporting cast around the captain and keep the project pushing forward.

“If Miami land Lewa in 2026, MLS defenses are in trouble.”

Why Inter Miami want Robert Lewandowski

At 37, Lewandowski is still delivering elite numbers. He has 8 goals in 12 La Liga appearances this season (2025-26), a strike rate that would make him an instant threat in MLS. He brings penalty-box craft, timing, and a ruthless eye for goal that Miami lacked at times in 2025. In fact, no Inter Miami striker topped 400 minutes last season, which underlines the need for a reliable, week-in, week-out scorer.

This is not about nostalgia; it’s a tactical solution. With Messi pulling strings, Miami want a forward who finds space, finishes quickly, and punishes mistakes. Few modern No. 9s have done that better over the last decade than Lewandowski.

Miami’s roster puzzle: DP math, Suárez’s future, and new arrivals

Inter Miami’s Designated Player picture is changing. A DP slot will open in 2026 as the squad turns over. The DP cap hit in MLS is $743,750, with any salary above that paid directly by the club. That structure can make big names possible, but only with careful planning around the rest of the roster.

The club has already moved decisively in key areas. Rodrigo De Paul arrived on a permanent deal to bring bite and passing in midfield, while Sergio Reguilón has come in as a like-for-like replacement for the retiring Jordi Alba at left-back. Suárez, who erupted for 20 goals in 2024 but dropped to 10 in 2025, is a free agent. His next step — retirement or another short stint — will shape how Miami build the forward group behind Messi and any new No. 9.

“Messi wants stars. Can the roster rules keep up?”

Barcelona’s timeline and the 2026 window

Lewandowski’s Barcelona contract runs to the summer of 2026 and includes an optional 12-month extension. That makes next summer a natural decision point for all sides. Barcelona must balance a veteran scorer who is still productive with a long-term plan for the front line. Miami, meanwhile, can pitch a new challenge in MLS at the exact moment their DP slot reopens.

There could be competition. Reports have previously floated MLS links beyond Miami, including LA Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps, where Lewandowski has former teammates. If the market widens, Miami’s advantage may rest on the Messi effect, a clear role, and a strong commercial pull in South Florida.

“At 37 and still scoring, is this smart business or a romantic gamble?”

Messi’s influence and the wider wishlist: Griezmann and Koke

Reports also point to Messi signalling two more priorities for 2026: a central midfielder and another forward, with Koke and Antoine Griezmann identified as targets. Koke is in the final six months of his deal, while Griezmann is under contract until 2027 yet has faced persistent MLS speculation and has started five La Liga games this season.

It’s a bold blueprint: pair Messi with a reliable finisher up top, add a stabilizing midfielder to control games, and surround them with runners who can cover ground. With De Paul already in-house and Reguilón in at left-back, that spine begins to look balanced, experienced, and built for playoff football.

What it means for MLS and Inter Miami’s ceiling

Messi transformed MLS’s global reach on day one. Adding a still-lethal Lewandowski would be another jolt to the league’s visibility and to Miami’s ceiling. On the field, the pairing gives Miami a clear identity: Messi as the creator and tempo-setter, Lewandowski as the finisher. Off the field, it supercharges TV windows, sponsorship interest, and a packed away schedule.

There’s also a locker-room effect. Bringing in players like Lewandowski, De Paul, and potentially Koke or Griezmann raises standards in training and increases accountability on matchdays. The best teams in MLS blend star power with structure. Miami appear intent on getting both right in the next cycle.

The risks and the path ahead

No transfer is risk-free. Age and travel are real factors in MLS, with long flights, summer heat, and a physical schedule. Squad depth matters as much as star power. Miami also must nail the salary-cap details around the DP slot, Targeted Allocation Money, and the supporting cast if they want to avoid the mid-season dips that can hurt playoff seeding.

On the Barcelona side, the optional extension clause looms. If Lewandowski and the club activate another year, the 2026 plan becomes more complex for Miami. If they don’t, the door is wide open. Either way, the pitch is the same: a starring role next to Messi, a run at trophies, and a chance to leave a new mark on a growing league.

Bottom line

Inter Miami are thinking big again. A 2026 push for Robert Lewandowski fits their timeline, their needs, and their ambition. With a DP slot opening, Messi committed through 2028, and a supportive cast already forming, the club is setting the stage for another era-defining signing.

Now comes the hard part: navigating Barcelona’s decision window, fending off MLS rivals, and aligning the roster around a clear, sustainable plan. If Miami can land the deal, they won’t just light up the scoreboard. They’ll reset what’s possible for the whole league.