Inter Miami brutally axe player who Lionel Messi replaced in key role

Inter Miami have traded one of their stars after Lionel Messi took his job.

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami last summer and immediately boosted the team's fortunes.

David Beckham's side won the inaugural Leagues Cup, the first title in the franchise's history.

Miami have made an unbeaten start to the 2024 campaign, winning two of their opening three games to go top of the Eastern Conference standings.

Despite making a strong start to the season, Miami have decided to trade one of their star players to a conference rival.

On Monday the team announced that USMNT right-back DeAndre Yedlin has been traded to FC Cincinnati in order to gain "important roster flexibility", as well as $172,799 in 2024 General Allocation Money (GAM).

The former Newcastle and Tottenham defender joined the club in 2022 and made 82 appearances in all competitions, the joint-most in team history.

The 30-year-old was club captain for much of his time in Miami, but manager Tata Martino gave the armband to Messi shortly after the Argentine superstar joined the club.

DeAndre Yedlin has left Inter Miami.

"DeAndre has been a leader for us on and off the field, and we’re very thankful for everything he has done for Inter Miami," said Miami's chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson.

"This trade gives us the flexibility to continue building our roster. Our ambitions remain high and we will look to use the space created by this move to improve our squad as we aim to compete for titles."

Yedlin was involved in a viral moment last summer when Messi handed him the captain's armband before the trophy lift following the Leagues Cup final.

Next up for Messi and his Miami teammates is a CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 first leg tie away at Nashville SC.