Berterame Makes His Mark As Messi, Inter Miami Rally At Orlando City

Lionel Messi, right, of Inter Miami CF celebrates with teammate German Berterame after winning the MLS match between Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF at Inter&Co Stadium on Sunday in Orlando, Fla.

MLS via Getty Images

The primarily plaudits for Inter Miami’s triumph over Orlando City on Sunday night will go where they often do, to the masterful Lionel Messi.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scored twice as the Herons rallied – seemingly inevitably – from a 2-0 halftime deficit to a 4-2 victory. It was Messi’s 24th multi-goal performance in a Miami shirt across all competitions, and one that helped the Herons finally earn their first victory in club history at their Central Florida rivals.

But the match’s decisive play may have been made by the one man in Miami who is under even more pressure to produce. That’s Argentine-Mexican striker Germán Berterame, who joined Miami last month from CF Monterrey for a club-record $15 million fee.

With the score still tied, Berterame pressured David Brekalo into a deflected clearance down Miami’s left flank. Then he used his physicality to receive the ball, turn Brekalo and drive into the penalty area before directing a cross in Messi’s direction near the penalty spot.

An Orlando defender poked the ball off Messi’s boot, but only as far as Telasco Segovia, who guided in an 85th-minute, right-footed finish that would hold up as the matchwinner.

Finding His Footing

Berterame is still searching for his first goal in Miami as he fills the role vacated by Luis Suárez, who is still with the team but no longer seen as a 90-minute player. And through all 90 minutes of Miami’s season-opening defeat at LAFC on Feb. 21, and most of Sunday evening’s contest, Berterame cut the figure of a frustrated player still struggling to understand his teammates.

But the sequence revealed exactly what Miami manager Javier Mascherano needs out of his No. 9, something that is often misunderstood because of his price tag and his position.

Yes, the Herons will want Berterame to score. But his more important task is to be able to occupy the opponents’ center backs and be able to connect with the interchangeable attacking pieces behind him.

If you’re hoping he will reach or surpass 20 goals, as Messi has done in consecutive MLS seasons and Suárez did in 2024, you may be disappointed.

Berterame’s Liga MX Goals (Appearances)

• 2019-20, Atletico San Luis: 6 (23)
• 2020-21, Atletico San Luis: 8 (30)
• 2021-22, Atletico San Luis: 16 (33)
• 2022-23, CF Monterrey: 10 (31)
• 2023-24, CF Monterrey: 9 (25)
• 2024-25, CF Monterrey: 13 (28)
• 2025-26, CF Monterrey: 11 (20)

Berterame’s highest output in a fall-to-spring domestic Liga MX campaign was 16 goals for Atletico San Luis. At CF Monterrey, which has a far deeper and more star-studded roster similar in a dynamic similar to the Herons, he never scored more than 13, though he did increase his production rate in every season.

But his mere presence on the field should be able to give Messi and others in the midfield some cover in the front, in a manner similar to how Rodrigo de Paul was brought in from Atletico Madrid as a sort of personal Messi protector from behind.

Ready For Concacaf?

In MLS, a similar recent comparison – albeit in a very different tactical setup – might be what Mikael Uhre provided during his years with the Philadelphia Union. In Concacaf, the best example might be fellow Mexico World Cup hopeful Raul Jimenez, who serves in a s similar role well for his club side Fulham.

One play doesn’t suddenly mean Berterame has it all figured out, or will stop feeling pressure to live up to the pricetag. But it is a sign that comfort and progress could come sooner than later, which is good news for Miami’s priorities.

More than anything, the Herons would like to capture the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2026, one of only two major trophies Miami has yet to win with Messi in the fold, and one that assures a place at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

That quest begins in less than two weeks, with a two-legged, round-of-16 tie against Nashville SC. And Berterame has a pedigree in tournaments, having scored 13 goals in 21 games in international cup competitions during his Rayados tenure.