One of Inter Miami's current players has addressed speculation he could be moved on to make way for Lionel Messi this summer and has taken aim at MLS.
Attacking midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro is currently registered as a Designated Player (DP) by the Herons, meaning he is permitted to earn more than the US league's salary cap. The South Beach outfit finds itself in a tricky situation in this regard, however, with only three DP players allowed on each team's roster and a host of high-profile stars set to arrive at the club imminently.
With superstar Messi and fellow former Barcelona star Sergio Busquets joining the club this summer and expected to become DPs, this essentially means that two of the franchise's current DPs will either have to be moved on or shifted onto regular contracts. Furthermore, given that co-owner Jorge Mas has teased that further reinforcements may arrive in the coming weeks, it is clear that this is a situation which will need to be rectified.
As it stands, Pizarro is one of a trio of existing Inter Miami players who find themselves effectively in limbo, with club captain Gregore and forward Leonardo Campana also in a similar boat. The Mexican is probably the most likely to depart DRV PNK Stadium, though, with his current contract having entered its final year.
The 29-year-old is Vice City's highest-paid player currently — earning a salary of some $3.35 million (£2.63 million) a year — but has struggled so far this season having failed to score in 12 outings this term. On top of this, a loan back to his homeland with Monterrey was similarly disappointing and the Liga MX team failed to make his deal permanent.
Now, the 37-time international has expressed his frustrations towards MLS, admitting that he is currently in a difficult situation as his future looks unresolved at present. Speaking to reporters, Pizarro explained: “I do think it’s hard, I have a contract.
"I didn’t know I could be traded anyways. It’s a bit strange. I think it’s the only league in the world that does this.”
Following what has been a season to forget so far for he club on the pitch, former Barcelona and Argentina coach Tata Martino has been installed as Miami's new manager but the former Chivas ace said that contact with the incoming boss has been limited. He added: “I could only say hello to him, he still can’t really work with us closely.
"He’s a coach whose career speaks for itself. He’s a great coach and he’s always given me confidence. But I haven’t been able to speak with him yet.”
Addressing this delicate situation, Martino remained coy about what the club plans to do about Pizarro's situation when speaking in a press conference, saying: “We know about his situation. There’s the (sporting) part of things, and then there are questions that have to do distinctly with the club’s leadership, in terms of his future."
