Inter Miami’s Sergio Busquets says MLS roster rules, financial limitations stunting league’s growth

ATLANTA — Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets admitted he is disappointed with the lack of progress in MLS regarding the league’s roster rules.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday ahead of Miami’s second Club World Cup group stage match against Porto, the former Barcelona star said that MLS’ restrictive financial rules remain difficult to comprehend.

“I come from a different kind of football, different customs, and I understand it a bit differently,” Busquets said. “But you also have to adapt to where you are and try to make changes little by little — mainly for the better — so that the clubs in the U.S., in MLS, can compete in these kinds of tournaments, that better players can come, and everything can grow. Not just the league, but everything in general. “

When Lionel Messi made global headlines in the summer of 2023 by choosing to sign with Miami after two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, the general takeaway was that the World Cup winner would change the league for the better. Messi has raised the profile of MLS, and certainly of Inter Miami, around the world from a commercial standpoint, but there haven’t been any major changes to how the league operates. 

Clubs are still limited to three designated players and required to navigate a litany of financial restrictions. The Athletic reported in April that MLS owners discussed potential changes to the competition’s calendar and roster rule modifications. A move to a fall-spring calendar would be a significant change for MLS that would then align the league’s transfer windows with the rest of the football world. Any changes, however, wouldn’t occur until the 2027 season, at the earliest. 

Miami did not make any new signings before the Club World Cup, which frustrated head coach Javier Mascherano. 

“It’s clear that we needed new signings,” Mascherano said before Miami’s 0-0 draw with Al Ahly. “Not just for this moment that we’re in, one that may expose us because of the injuries that we have, but also because we had decided at the end of the April MLS window, we decided to open two spots, (Robert) Taylor and (Julian) Gressel in order to be able to add players.

“I’ve been saying this for a while now,” he continued. “I’m in charge of preparing the team and to train the players that I’m given. I would’ve liked to have new signings, especially considering this competition.”

Miami have looked like a limited side during the summer tournament, but that’s not a drastic change from their reality in MLS play. The team lacks suitable depth to compete across multiple competitions and could very well be dealt a harsh result Thursday night against Porto. The Primeira Liga side is in need of a win after their 1-1 result against Palmeiras on Sunday.  

“Hopefully that(changes) can happen in the near future,” Busquets said. “There are clubs that are working on it, others that are struggling more. It’s difficult with a league that has so many teams and operates in a different way, through MLS, which I think we Europeans aren’t used to. So, hopefully, it’ll happen little by little.”

Miami midfielder Federico Redondo, 22, also stressed the need for more aggressive change in MLS.

“It is true, though, that I think what MLS is missing in order to take the next step is loosening the salary cap a bit, allowing for that freedom,” he said Wednesday. “For this football to keep growing, more money needs to be invested — that’s what’s happening all over the world. The big clubs invest money in players, in transfers, and for this league to continue growing, they’re going to have to loosen things up a bit.”

(Photo: Shaun Botterill / FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)