Miami will need to improve on the touchline, in their front office and from a managerial perspective with Javier Mascherano

After a disappointing end to their 2024 season, Inter Miami are looking to return back to the top in 2025, spearheaded by the brilliance of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — with new manager Javier Mascherano on the touchline.

The exited the postseason in the first round in November, suffering a shocking elimination to Brad Guzan and Atlanta United in Messi's first playoff series. However, their regular season triumph, winning the Supporters' Shield, was enough of a victory to see them qualify for the 2025 FIFA World Cup — the marquee competition of the forthcoming calendar year.

To compete at that level, while also raising their level in league play and domestic cup competitions, Miami will need to improve — on the touchline, in their front office and from a managerial perspective with Mascherano.

In 2024, their biggest weakness was their defense, with little midfield options available off the bench, either. They've also lost star winger Diego Gomez in a high-profile transfer, with the Paraguay international heading to Premier League side Brighton earlier this week. Miami will need to be proactive this offseason considering the various questions about their roster.

GOAL, goes into where they could go from here in the transfer market, outlining five key areas on the pitch where the team needs to focus.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportGomez's replacement

It's truly brilliant business by Miami to sell Gomez for reportedly close to $20 million after buying him for 2.7 million euros in the summer of 2023. However, it leaves them with a major, major hole in their attack that they will need to fill. Of course, they have a suitable replacement in Robert Taylor in the interim, but by the time the 2025 campaign begins, it's expected that they will splash the cash to fill it.

In 2024, Gomez scored three goals and recorded seven assists in 19 appearances during the regular season for Miami. At the country level, he's become a regular starter for Paraguay's senior team and over the summer, he led them at the 2024 Paris Games. In October, he was named the No. 1 overall prospect in MLS' 22-Under-22 rankings that was voted upon by MLS coaches, General Managers, Sporting Directors, MLS Season Pass Talent, and select media members.

Heading into 2025, though, the club are expected to explore attacking reinforcements for their left flank. They could look to bring in a new U-22 initiative player to replace Gomez, or explore further by bringing in a veteran to pair with the experienced Suarez and Messi. However, the youthful Gomez often brought the energy and pace that the duo lacked, so it will be important that the replacement can do the same, too.

Notably, though, they will also see highly-regarded young Argentine attacked Facundo Farias, who is also a U-22 initiative player, return from an ACL tear some time early in the season.

AdvertisementIMGANA teacher for Benjamin Cremaschi

The U.S. international who represented the program at the 2024 Paris Olympics didn't quite take the next leap forward in his young career this past campaign. After breaking out in 2023, he began the year sidelined with a sports hernia, and then started just 12 matches for the across 22 regular season appearances. He had a career year in front of net with four goals and three assists, but with his potential, he should be locked into the XI.

If Miami are not confident that at 19, he is ready for that challenge, they need to bring in central midfield competition with him this offseason. Perhaps a seasoned veteran from within the league to help him grow, or a more attacking-minded player to bounce off of Busquets and Federico Redondo — but regardless, Miami need another body in the middle of the pitch.

Another major benefit to a adding another veteran to their midfield would be that it would allow Cremaschi to get crucial Cup tournament experience in the CONCACAF Champions Cup — and eventually, the Club World Cup, without sacrificing his legs by making him play every league match, too.

The more he learns and grows, the better off Inter Miami will be, and just perhaps — he can be their next big-money sale following in the footsteps of Gomez.

Getty ImagesA Sergio Busquets backup

Busquets played 30 regular season matches for Miami in 2024, and across all competitions, the 36-year-old played in 38. Come the postseason, though, he fell to injury, missing game two of their series against Atlanta United; which was really the start of their downfall.

He managed 12 minutes off the bench in game three, but he wasn't fit, and it was a risky move to even put him on the field. What hit them hard was not having a replacement for him available off the bench. In Game 3, Tata Martino played Cremaschi in a double pivot with Redondo and Matias Rojas above them, and it did not work at all and as a result, they lost the midfield battle.

Heading into 2025, they need to have a No. 6 they can bring off the bench in place of Busquets whether it's due to rest, injury or any other reason. Considering Busquets' age at 36, Inter Miami needs more depth at his position. Yannick Bright is certainly one strong piece, but the team needs more. They cannot risk not having a proper replacement in their squad if something were to happen in 2025.

Despite Busquets performing at an irregularly high level at age 36, there's no promise that he doesn't start slowing down — even with his stellar track record.

USA Today SportsCentral defense partner for Tomas Aviles

At the end of the campaign, Miami bid farewell to Franco Negri, Ukrainian defender Serhiy Kryvtsov and loanee Nicolas Freire — meaning three defenders in 2024 left the club heading into 2025. The center back position, as a result, should be their highest priority this offseason.

They have a solid young defender in Tomas Aviles, but he's mistake prone, despite showing immense promise at 20. As a result, the need to invest heavily in at minimum, two central defenders to help bolster their backline. They brought in defender Hector Martinez in August on a season-long loan through July 25, but his performances in the postseason left a lot to be desired as well, which ultimately means that they need to be shopping for starting central defenders — not depth.

Competition for a spot in the starting XI will be key to their performances in 2025, and after conceding 49 goals this past campaign during the regular season, they know it's an area where they cannot afford to not improve.

The club has been linked with a move with former Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, but bringing in an MLS veteran or somebody with CONCACAF experience may prove to be more to their benefit with the condensed schedule in 2025 arriving fast.