After overcoming some inconveniences that had postponed his debut in the Inter Miami uniform, the Paraguayan Matías Galarza finally raised the curtain on his new stage in the MLS this past weekend, in a match in which the “Herons” tied at home with Nashville, leader of the Eastern Conference of the North American circuit.
Shortly after the conclusion of the challenge, in which Miami could not close the gap in its fight for the “Supporters’ Shield”, Galarza revealed that the Argentine Lionel Messi had a great impact on his arrival at the Surflorida institution.
Beyond the fact that the simple presence of Messi is striking for any player, on this occasion the midfielder, who defended the colors of Paraguay in the last 2026 World Cup in North America, announced that Maximiliano Biancucchi, cousin of the “Flea”, served as an intermediary to complete his move.
“I have known Maxi since he was playing with Olimpia,” said Galarza in reference to the Paraguayan club, in a talk with the press after Saturday’s clash. “I’ve known him since I was a child. Obviously, he acted as an intermediary. He was part of all this because he is Messi’s cousin,” he added.
Biancucchi, a native of Rosario like Messi, spent a good part of his career in Guaraní football, including spells at Olimpia in 2011-2012 and 2016, while a young Galarza developed in the club’s academy.
Likewise, Galarza assured that, when he was presented with the alternative of wearing the pink team uniform, he did not doubt for a second that it was an opportunity that he could not pass up.
“The opportunity arose and Inter was interested. I didn’t hesitate. There are great figures and you just hope to play and continue growing. Maxi was key for this to happen because having a direct line with his cousin meant that everything happened quite quickly at the end of the transfer window,” he explained.
The South American already knows the MLS, having had a short internship with Atlanta United earlier in the year. However, it was his solid performance with his country’s national team in the 2026 World Cup that led European teams such as AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan, among others, to show interest in acquiring his services.
But after offers from the Old Continent did not materialize, Inter Miami put all their effort into trying to recruit him.
Perhaps the uncertainty regarding his immediate future made the process somewhat stressful for Galarza, but the midfielder couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“It is an excellent locker room with star players. I feel privileged and I believe that God put me in a beautiful place. I made the best decision by coming to Inter Miami to be with stars. I try to learn from each one of them,” he said.
