Lionel Messi's Inter Miami meets MLS roster compliancy - even with $8m Federico Redondo incoming - due to little-known sneaky loophole

A report from The Athletic last week stated that the Herons were in trouble leading into Tuesday evening's deadline, with more salary on their books than is allowed via MLS roster regulations. However, by selling key midfielder Gregore to Brazil for nearly $3m while also getting his $900k+ salary off their books, they have put themselves on track.

Tuesday evening, they secured themselves from potential punishment by utilizing their lone offseason contract buyout on forward Corentin 'Coco' Jean.

Regardless of the departures of Gregore and Coco Jean, voices from around the league still posed the question of how the Herons could afford to add $8m-rated Federico Redondo this week - who, per reports, is on his way to Miami.

The answer comes via the Herons navigating a little-known loophole, and an incredibly smart business play from the David Beckham co-owned club. Redondo's salary will, in fact, not go against Miami's salary cap - instead, he will replace the salary of injured Facundo Farias on their books.

With Farias out for the entirety of 2024 after tearing his ACL in preseason, the Herons have found a loophole via roster regulations. In the section of 'Season-Ending Injury Replacement Player' in the 2024 guidelines, Miami is guaranteed no hit against their salary cap if the individual placed on the IR has a higher salary than his replacement player.

Federico is the son of Real Madrid great, Fernando Redondo.

The Herons open their season Wednesday evening against Western Conference side Real Salt Lake. They'll look to begin the campaign with an important three points before taking on LA Galaxy on Sunday.