Inter Miami: Building the 2026 Herons
The defending MLS champions have been aggressive this offseason with their sights set on winning multiple trophies.
Former Celta de Vigo forward Tadeo Allende, who played a key role in Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup run while on loan from the Spanish club, has signed a five-year contract with the Herons. CREDIT: Inter Miami CF
Los Garzas acquire cup-hero Allende in latest major signing
The rich certainly seem to be getting richer.
Since winning its first MLS Cup in December with the league’s most expensive roster, Inter Miami has bid farewell to legends Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets and continues to add depth and talent with a series of high-profile signings.
Playoffs hero Tadeo Allende is the Herons’ most recent acquisition. The Argentine winger, on loan from La Liga side Celta de Vigo, set a league record with nine goals in the 2025 MLS postseason, including the clinching score in Miami’s 3-1 Cup win Dec. 6 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Some pundits doubted whether Allende would wear the Pink and Black this season, given his heightened profile, but managing owner Jorge Mas made it clear on Saturday that resigning Allende, 26, was a priority.
“Tadeo was a key player for us; it was extraordinary what he did at the end of the year, so yes, he will be on our roster this season and will be returning to camp in the coming days,” Mas told reporters at the Herons’ first day of preseason training Saturday.
Miami signed Allende through 2030, with an option for 2031. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Herons started the offseason focused on fortifying the defense, adding wing backs Facundo Mura and Sergio Reguilón, center back Micael, defensive midfielder David Ayala, and 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair.
More recently, they’ve focused on restocking an offense that led MLS in scoring each of the past two seasons (league best goal totals of 79 in 2024 and 81 last season).
New deals with Allende and veteran striker Luis Suarez (10 goals and 11 assists in league play last year after a 20/9 season in 2024) were the first steps in ensuring Lionel Messi has help in the attack; the Herons also reportedly will sign striker Germán Berterame from Mexican-side Monterrey in the coming days.
Inter Miami begins a three-game South American preseason tour Saturday with a game against Alianza Lima in Peru, followed by a Jan. 31 game against Atletico Nacional in Colombia and a Feb. 7 game against Barcelona de Guayaquil in Ecuador.
Los Garzas will open the 2026 MLS season Feb. 21 at Los Angeles FC. Inter Miami’s first five matches are away from home while Miami Freedom Park Stadium construction is finished.
The first home game in the new stadium is scheduled for Apr. 4 against Austin FC.