Diego Gomez stars in Inter Miami's surprisingly forward-thinking roster

Brazil is having a rough time of things in South American World Cup qualifying. It's fifth out of 10 teams in the region after eight games of play, shouldering a 3-4-1 record, and it's already eight points behind Argentina in first.

It hoped to get its qualification journey back on track this week when it faced Paraguay, traditionally one of the region's poorest performers, on Tuesday in Asuncion. But instead of the grand resurgence it hoped for, Brazil found itself at the wrong end of a 1-0 loss, chastened by a wonder strike from an unlikely young Paraguayan player.

That player was Diego Gomez of Inter Miami, one of MLS's most fascinating new signings. His growth in the league over the 2024 season proves that Miami is more than just the Fab Four of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba: It's dedicated to sourcing, developing and highlighting young players from all over the world, too.

Gomez came to Inter Miami last summer at the age of 20, just weeks after Messi made his stateside debut.

"Diego is a well-rounded midfielder that we believe will contribute in all phases of the game," Miami chief soccer officer Chris Henderson said , per the team's official website. "We believe in his ability and potential, and feel he will be a strong addition to our squad as we enter this next phase of growth at Inter Miami."

That next phase of growth involved Messi, of course, but Gomez — and other young signings like him — were just as important for Miami. The team knew it couldn't count on Messi, who turned 37 this year, for every game of the MLS season; he was set to miss much of the summer for the Copa America and wound up missing a big chunk of the fall due to an injury he suffered there.

Gomez was signed as a shot of adrenaline to Miami's attack, a set of fresh, unpredictable legs to line up alongside (or in place of) the likes of Messi and Suarez. He's filled that role admirably: In the 2024 MLS season, Gomez has racked up 12 starts, three goals and seven assists. Many have come in Messi's absence.

Gomez is just one of Miami's young, explosive players. Italian midfielder Yannick Bright, 23, came to Miami through the college draft; Argentinian defender Tomas Aviles was scouted out of Racing Club while he was still a teenager. They've quietly provided much of the legwork Miami needed to clinch its spot in the MLS playoffs. While opponents are busy marking Messi and Suarez, Gomez, Bright and Aviles are creating chaos on the margins, catching teams off their guard and creating opportunities for the superstars to finish. Miami's two camps — the legendary elders and the hungry kids — have worked in harmony this season to bring home victories. Neither camp could do it without the other.

Gomez isn't the first Paraguayan to pass through MLS and make a name for himself; Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron left the league recently to join Newcastle in the Premier League. Gomez may soon follow suit. He's said to be a prime target for Brighton , a Premier League team known for developing promising young players like Ecuador's Moises Caicedo and Ireland's Evan Ferguson.

Gomez's departure would be sad for Miami, but the fee his sale would generate — likely in the realm of $14 million — could fund the discovery of several more players like him. That's what Henderson meant when he said Gomez would be a strong addition to Miami's "next phase of growth." It's not just about the star power of Messi and his Barcelona teammates: Young players like Gomez are just as important when it comes to delivering results and refilling Miami's coffers.

Miami returns to action this weekend against the Philadelphia Union. Both Messi and Gomez are expected to be available for selection.