Martino: Inter Miami can’t sign Di María due to salary restrictions

Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino shut down the possibility of signing players like Benfica forward Ángel Di María and Boca Juniors goalkeeper Sergio Romero due to Major League Soccer’s strict roster rules.

“The truth is that I have no knowledge, nor do I suspect that economically or legally we are in a position to bring them,” he said to Paraguayan radio Monumental AM 1080.

ESPN Argentina reported on Thursday that Inter Miami is in talks to sign Di María — former Manchester United and Real Madrid player and Lionel Messi’s teammate in Argentina national team — after he finished his contract with Benfica this summer.

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“There is nothing that has been officially received from the sports director regarding Ángel [Di María]. Here the league has certain economic restrictions, some limits, and we are complying with them well within that rule. But today I do not see any type of hiring as feasible, especially such exceptional players.”

Martino has been vocal about the league’s difficult restrictions in the past, especially after being eliminated by CF Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16.

“If MLS doesn’t liberate the various rules it has to have deeper rosters, with injuries and suspensions, Liga MX will continue to have the advantage. Still, I’ve always thought, even while working in Mexico and now working in the US, that the comparison between the two leagues is useless,” he said on April 11.

“MLS still cannot compete with Liga MX at the same level because of roster rules. I think the process will be changing, with alterations coming in the short term.”

Leonardo Campana, Sergio Busquets and Messi currently occupy the team’s three Designated Player slots, while the salaries of players like Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba count towards the total salary capacity of $683,750 this year.

The team would have to offload certain players this summer, generating allocation money and freeing up salary capacity space before compliance day to make room for figures like Di Maria. And Martino didn’t shut down future opportunities to do so.

“It is also true that the transfer book here is closed, it only opens in mid-July and we have to see what can be done when that time arrives. Inter Miami is open to the transfer market, there are always possibilities to continue improving. We will see when the time comes what possibilities we have,” added Martino to the radio show.

For now, the Herons will resort to current players for the ongoing 2024 MLS season and upcoming Leagues Cup tournament, which kicks off on July 24. Inter Miami currently lead the Eastern Conference table with 21 points in 11 games, and face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Chase Stadium.