Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami is wasting no time preparing for the next MLS campaign—and possibly the FIFA Club World Cup—as the club reportedly targets another global superstar: Manchester City and Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
The 33-year-old recently revealed on social media that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the current season when his contract with the reigning four-time Premier League champions expires. De Bruyne has been with City since 2015, becoming one of the most decorated and consistent midfielders in the modern era.
While the Belgian international had been linked last summer to 2025 MLS expansion side San Diego FC, the move was shut down due to financial constraints. “I’ve had conversations with him, but I’ll tell you what: Those wages won’t fit our budget at the moment in terms of what his expectations are,” San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps told reporters at the time.
However, according to ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano, Inter Miami currently holds De Bruyne’s MLS discovery rights, giving them a significant advantage should the midfielder decide to take his talents to South Florida.
Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Brentford FC at Etihad Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Manchester, England.
How MLS rules help Inter Miami
Under league rules, each MLS team is allowed to list up to five players on their discovery list at any given time. By placing De Bruyne on that list, Inter Miami secured the exclusive opportunity to begin negotiations with him—without interference from other MLS clubs.
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De Bruyne would arrive as a free agent, making the logistics far smoother for Miami, who are clearly looking to build an even more formidable roster around Lionel Messi.
De Bruyne’s farewell to Manchester City
In his heartfelt announcement last week, De Bruyne reflected on his time with City: “So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player. Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here—and you deserve to hear it from me first.”
“Soccer led me to all of you—and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back! And guess what—we won everything,” he wrote. “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye.”
Should De Bruyne join Messi in Miami, the pairing would instantly become one of the most compelling storylines in world football—and a transformative moment for Major League Soccer.
