The Herons will be shorthanded without their star man – so can his fellow Argentine step up in his absence?
For Inter Miami, and just about anyone else that would be lucky enough to have him, there's no replacing Lionel Messi. The proof is right there for all to see. Before Messi: 11 games without a win. Since Messi arrived: 11 games unbeaten, with one trophy and another potentially on the way. You can't do much better than that, can you?
This weekend, though, for the first time since his era-defining arrival, Inter Miami will be without their star man. Messi has returned to Argentina to lead the World Cup holders into qualification for the next edition of the tournament. And so, for the first time, Inter Miami will have the challenge, or maybe the opportunity, of proving that they are more than just Messi when they host Sporting KC.
It will be a challenge, for sure, but not one Miami are ill-equipped to handle. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are still in South Beach and ready to contribute, as are mainstays like DeAndre Yedlin and Kamal Miller.
Replacing Messi isn't a one-man job, and there isn't one player that will be asked to take on the full responsibility of replacing him. Still, with Messi gone, this does seem like the time the club can truly unleash their other new Argentinian attacker, the one that could very well be the future of this club.
Facundo Farias, step right up. With Messi gone, now's your time to shine.
GettyWho is Farias?
In truth, Farias' signing went under the radar. How couldn't it? If you're signed in the same window as Messi, Busquets and Alba, you're clearly not going to make the same headlines.
By bringing in Farias, though, Miami seemingly secured the present and future, adding a player who had already developed quite the reputation in his native Argentina.
One of the top young stars in South America during his time with Colon, Farias had drawn interest from both Boca Juniors and River Plate before a knee injury derailed his hopes of a move to one of the country's giant clubs. It's easy to see why they were looking, though, as the 20-year-old winger scored 16 goals – adding a further nine assists – for Colon, including three goals in eight Copa Libertadores games.
In previous years, a player like Farias would have inevitably made that move to Boca or River, or perhaps headed straight for Europe.
However, the combination of MLS' track record with young stars and the aura of Messi inevitably lured him to Miami, as he became one of a slew of big signings – young and old – to arrive in South Florida this summer.
AdvertisementGettyBeginning life in Miami
With all eyes on Messi and a surging Robert Taylor on the other wing, Farias' start to life in Miami has been somewhat slow. The club, by and large, has been content to ease him into life in his new surroundings.
The 21-year-old Argentinian played no part in the club's Leagues Cup trophy run, although he did arrive in time to make the bench for the semifinals and final. Because of that, Farias was able to lift his first Inter Miami trophy before even seeing the field for his new club.
He made his debut off the bench in Inter Miami's U.S. Open Cup semifinal, an absurd back-and-forth clash with FC Cincinnati that was decided by penalties. Farias converted from the spot alongside fellow youngsters David Ruiz and Benjamin Cremaschi, with Josef Martinez and, of course, Messi also finding the back of the net to send Miami to another cup final.
Now back in MLS play, Farias has started to be integrated into the team, starting two of Miami's last three games. In their most recent win, a 3-1 triumph over reigning MLS Cup champions LAFC, Farias started up top alongside Messi in a new-look 5-3-2, and it didn't take long for him to make an impact.
Farias scored his first Inter Miami goal in style to give his side a 1-0 lead. Played through by fellow newcomer Tomas Aviles, Farias darted towards the ball, but it initially appeared as though he couldn't get on the end of it.
That wasn't the case, though, as Farias' speculative sliding effort bamboozled LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy and left even Messi impressed as the two Argentines celebrated together. It was exactly the type of goal that can ignite a player's confidence, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Getty ImagesThe next… Carlos Tevez?
Now playing alongside Messi, Farias has most often been compared to one of his former Argentina teammates: Carlos Tevez.
"He is from another category," his ex-manager at Colon, Nestor Gorosito, told earlier this year. "He is the most similar to Tevez that I have seen. Powerful and strong. He knows everything and he is a crack. Guys are born like this and you just have to add some things. He has enormous qualities."
Gorosito isn't the only one who sees that comparison. Tevez himself has said he sees a lot of himself in Farias.
"Farias, and also where Farias comes from reminds me a lot of me," the former Manchester United and City striker told . "He is a boy where you have to help him a lot because I think he has great conditions to become great but you have to help him.
"There is a context that was not going well, he was not playing, he just got injured… so you have to help him a lot to reach the level."
It's easy to see the similarities between the two. Both are small, powerful, and decisive. Farias, though, says he looks toward a different player for inspiration: Neymar.
"I am an aggressive midfielder, front, always forward," he said. "I identify with Neymar. I don't identify with Leo, but he is the idol of all Argentines."
With those qualities, Farias has the ability to play anywhere across the front line. He was primarily signed to feature on the left, opposite Messi on the right, but he can also play centrally, as he did against LAFC.
No matter where he plays, though, Farias will be needed in a big way against Sporting KC.
GettyThe missing pieces
Inter Miami will be shorthanded against Sporting KC, to say the least.
Messi is the big miss, of course, but he's far from the only one. Starting midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi and starting goalkeeper Drake Callendar have been called up by the U.S. men's national team. Elsewhere, Robert Taylor is with Finland, Josef Martinez is with Venezuela and Sergii Kryvtsov has been called up by Ukraine.
In total, Inter Miami will be missing nine players, including six or seven who would have likely played a role this weekend.
"No, we don't talk about it, we just know it," Faris said. "The [missing players are] a big loss for the team, but hey, I think the guys stepping in, the ones on the bench, they're ready. We're all prepared to compete and show that we can win.”
Farias will be a key piece in that, likely alongside Leonardo Campana in the attack, as Miami will look to make it another game unbeaten as they continue a playoff push that, despite their recent successes, would still require a miracle.