Inter Miami practiced on Friday thinking there was no way Sergio Busquets was going to play in its win-or-else playoff match against Atlanta United. A few hours later, the team got quite the surprise.

From his trips to a Publix grocery store, a local family market or an NBA game, the 37-year-old has embraced the American lifestyle with open arms. However, it was an intimate image of Messi participating in a much older tradition that drew a reaction from his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, on Instagram on Thursday.

Interim manager Valentino has worked wonders at Atlanta but the team is also looking for a big-name appointment for 2025.

Add Luis Suárez to the frontline alongside eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi and Miami went on to enjoy the best regular season in MLS history in 2024. While Miami's postseason finish remains up in the air, Messi and Co. propelled the south Florida side to greatness in the form of the Supporters' Shield and the MLS single-season points record.

Ailing Sergio Busquets has been ruled out of Saturday’s Inter Miami game against Atlanta United, meaning Lionel Messi will be without one of his most trusted teammates for the win-or-else playoff matc

Lionel Messi's time at Inter Miami has been nothing short of spectacular ever since his debut against Cruz Azul that he marked with a picture-perfect free kick. Fast forward to November 2024 from July 2023 and Messi guided Miami to the best regular season in MLS history with 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 appearances.