Inter Miami, Rodolfo Pizarro agree to terminate contract as team prepares for Lionel Messi signing

Inter Miami and Rodolfo Pizarro have agreed to mutually terminate the midfielder’s contract, the club announced Friday, as it prepares for the impending signing of international soccer star Lionel Messi. Here’s what you need to know:

• Pizarro, 29, joined Inter Miami in February 2020 from Liga MX team C.F. Monterrey.
• In 59 career appearances (48 starts) for Miami, Pizarro scored seven goals and notched nine assists.
• Messi’s contract with Inter Miami and MLS had not yet been signed as of early Friday and was in the final stages of the legal process, a source with knowledge of the deal told The Athletic.

Club has agreed to mutually terminate the contract of midfielder Rodolfo Pizarro: pic.twitter.com/XQijfPqKl6

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) July 15, 2023

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Why Inter Miami made this move

Pizarro’s exit from MLS comes on the heels of the league’s biggest-ever signing. The Mexican international’s contract had to be bought out in order for Inter Miami to make room on its roster for Messi. That’s quite the legacy for Pizarro, who failed to live up to expectations in MLS.

Before joining Inter Miami, Pizarro was often criticized in Mexico for his inconsistent play and sleepy personality. But in 2019, he played arguably the best soccer of his career with the Mexican national team. He was a reliable playmaker whose tactical versatility was appreciated by Tata Martino, who was recently named head coach of Inter Miami.

Pizarro was a high-priced star signing for Miami in 2020. Yet he was unable to replicate his form from 2019 in MLS. Martino was asked about Pizarro’s future during his introductory press conference a few weeks ago.

“We know his situation,” Martino said. “There’s the football aspect and then there’s the aspect that is strictly administrative regarding what his future will be. It’s not something that will be determined based on football.”

Clearly Martino knew that Pizarro would not be an Inter Miami player for much longer. In the end, Pizarro became the player whose expensive contract was terminated in order to make room for Messi. — Cardenas

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(Photo: Ira L. Black / Corbis and Getty Images)