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Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2023Getty Images

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have arrived! How Inter Miami could line up for Leagues Cup clash with Cruz Azul as Barcelona icons prepare for debut

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have arrived. Inter Miami's new era has begun. It'll officially kick off on Friday night against Cruz Azul in the club's first-ever Leagues Cup game, which will also serve as the debut of the club's new legendary signings, either as starters or off the bench.

Still, while most of the legwork has been done, Miami remain an unfinished team. Jordi Alba is on his way, as are several other Gerardo 'Tata' Martino signings, but the team currently assembled is far from the one that will likely finish the 2023 MLS season.

Because of that, Martino has some shuffling to do. Miami are in last place in the Eastern Conference, and they're there for a reason. This team, quite frankly, isn't very good, although the arrivals of Messi and Busquets will no doubt take them to a new level.

Others will be on their way soon, but Friday night's battle with Cruz Azul isn't about that; it's about Messi and Busquets. All eyes will be on this game as the two superstars take the field for the first time in what will be a historic moment for Miami, MLS and American soccer in general.

But, Messi and Busquets aside, what will Martino do with his XI? What players could we see next to them in the XI? GOAL takes a look...

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  • Drake Callender Miami 2023Getty

    GK: Drake Callender

    The team's regular No.1, Callender is a player who has really risen through the ranks in Miami. He's been their first-choice goalkeeper for a season-and-a-half now, having been with the club since the beginning, and has earned U.S. men's national team looks. He'll be the team's starter for the foreseeable future.

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  • Noah Allen Inter Miami 2023Getty Images

    LB: Noah Allen

    The teenager is keeping this spot warm until Jordi Alba gets involved. Once the ex-Barcelona man arrives, there's no doubt who will be starting in this position. Until then, the 19-year-old defender could hold down this spot, with previous starter Franco Negri out with an ACL tear.

  • Kamal Miller Canadá Copa Oro 2023Getty

    CB: Kamal Miller

    Miller was Miami's big in-season signing until he absolutely wasn't a few weeks ago! The Canada international is back from the Gold Cup and has been a key player for Miami since arriving in a trade from CF Montreal earlier this season.

  • Kryvtsov Ukraine 2020Getty

    CB: Sergiy Kryvtsov

    A veteran Ukraine international, Kryvtsov has been a regular since joining the club earlier this year. He's started 19 of the club's 22 games so far and will likely be very, very excited to have a player like Busquets in front of him as a new midfield shield.

  • Inter Miami DeAndre YedlinGetty

    RB: DeAndre Yedlin

    A familiar face for fans in the U.S. and England, Yedlin is also returning from the Gold Cup after featuring for the USMNT. Long known for his pace, Yedlin could end up playing on the same side as Messi, depending on where the Argentine lines up, so his defensive abilities could be key for this team going forward.

  • Spanish midfielder Sergio BusquetsGetty Images

    CM: Sergio Busquets

    The ex-Barcelona star everyone is here to see! Well, not quite, but Busquets could very well be just as important as Messi to this team.

    Miami have conceded 36 goals this season, good for third-worst in the Eastern Conference and they still have games in hand. Busquets has been one of the best midfield shields of a generation, and his presence should help Miami not just win the ball back, but keep it.

  • Cremaschi Inter Miami 2023Getty

    CM: Benjamin Cremaschi

    What a dream come true this will be for the 19-year-old Argentina youth international. Born in Miami to Argentinian parents, Cremaschi will have no doubt idolized Messi growing up. To his credit, Cremaschi is developing into a hell of a player with Miami and is certainly one to watch as he learns under the tutelage of icons like Messi, Busquets and Martino.

    In this line up, Cremaschi should have a little bit of room for error due to the veteran presences next to him.

  • Dixon ArroyoGetty

    CM: Dixon Arroyo

    From the youth of Cremaschi to the experience of Arroyo, who is a 31-year-old defensive midfielder that could slot in as Busquets' back-up once Martino's shake-up is complete. In this one, though, Miami may need a bit more midfield bite and experience, which makes Arroyo a candidate to start.

    Another option is David Ruiz, a teenage rising star who has featured 14 times this season.

  • Lionel Messi Inter Miami 202307Getty Images

    CAM: Lionel Messi

    It'll be interesting to see if Martino uses Messi on the right in a free-roaming role or as a pure No.10. If it's the latter, does he go with two attackers ahead of him or three with a double-pivot behind the Argentine to do literally all of the defensive work?

    For this one, it makes the most sense to play a 4-3-1-2 of some sort, with Busquets, Cremaschi and Arroyo providing the numbers needed to control the midfield. Messi, meanwhile, will be free to do just about whatever he wants.

  • Messi-Martinez-Inter-MiamiGetty

    ST: Josef Martinez

    The former Atlanta United star sealed legendary status under Martino with his prior club, and its safe to say it's the ex-Mexico coach who is most likely to get Martinez back to his dominating best.

    The Venezuelan has shown flashes since joining Inter Miami, but has been nowhere near his Atlanta level. Based on what we've seen in training, though, he's already struck up a quick friendship with Messi, which will be fun to see play out on the field.

  • Leonardo Campana Inter Miami 2023Getty Images

    ST: Leonardo Campana

    Once everyone is officially brought in, Martino is likely to go with a 4-3-3 with Facundo Farias starting out wide. Until Farias gets here, though, it makes more sense to simply put the best players on the field.

    Campana is a talented young forward that, Messi-aside, is probably this club's most dangerous attacker, so he'll have to be on the field.

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