The transfer market keeps making waves in Argentine football, and this time the protagonist is Matías Galarza Fonda, the Paraguayan midfielder who was sidelined at River Plate and is now the new signing for Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS), where he will share a locker room with none other than Lionel Messi.
The news was confirmed on September 3, 2026, marking a new chapter in the career of the 24-year-old midfielder, who had arrived in Buenos Aires' Núñez neighborhood in mid-2025 from Talleres de Córdoba in a deal worth around USD 3.5 million.
Deal details
According to journalist César Luis Merlo (Tribuna.com), the transfer was completed as a loan with a USD 3,000,000 purchase option for 50% of the player's rights. The option becomes mandatory if the player participates in at least 66% of the team's matches.
This conditional clause gives Inter Miami the chance to evaluate the Paraguayan's performance before making a permanent commitment, although the high percentage of matches required suggests the American club has concrete plans for him.
Galarza Fonda's recent journey
The Paraguayan midfielder arrived at River Plate hoping to establish himself, but his time at the club did not go as expected. He played 14 matches without goals or assists, with his last appearance on November 24, 2025, in a match against Racing where a mistake proved costly.
Following that episode, he was sidelined along with 13 other teammates in a decision made by the coaching staff led by Marcelo Gallardo. In the first half of 2026, Galarza Fonda was on loan at Atlanta United, where he gained minutes and experience, though he didn't fully establish himself.
However, his time with the Paraguayan national team was more promising: he participated in the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, scoring a goal against Turkey and providing an assist against Germany.
Context at Inter Miami
The team coached by Cristian "Kily" González continues to build a competitive squad around Lionel Messi. Galarza Fonda's arrival comes during a restructuring period, as the club also confirmed the departure of defender Noah Allen, 22, who was loaned to Chicago Fire with a purchase option.
Additionally, the MLS transfer window remains active, and Inter Miami is looking to strengthen all positions to compete for titles in the final stretch of the season.
Related moves
Galarza Fonda's deal isn't the only one linking River Plate with the MLS. Giuliano Galoppo, a former River player, was recently presented at Atlanta United, where Paulo Díaz, another former River defender, also plays.
Meanwhile, at River, of the 14 players who were sidelined, only Fabricio Bustos and Matías Viña remain, training separately while their futures are resolved.
What this transfer means
Galarza Fonda's departure represents an opportunity for the player to rediscover his best form at a club that bets heavily on attacking football and boasts the best showcase in the world: sharing a team with Lionel Messi.
For River Plate, it's a way to ease squad pressure and free up an international player slot, while for Inter Miami it's a bet on a young player with international experience and potential.
The Paraguayan midfielder thus joins a list of South American footballers choosing the MLS as a destination to keep growing, in a league that continues to gain prominence on the international stage.