Inter Miami CF took a clear step towards building its future on Thursday by selecting five players in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, adding young talent who could eventually develop alongside Lionel Messi and the club’s established stars.
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While neither selection is expected to make an immediate impact, the draft gave Inter Miami a deeper pipeline of prospects to balance short-term ambitions with long-term plans. The club began the draft and selected Bryant University defenseman Abdel Talabi with the 30th overall pick.
Tarabi comes with a wealth of college experience and a reputation as a reliable presence in the back. After joining Bryant in 2021, he became a fixture in the Bulldogs’ defense, starting nearly every game over the final three seasons. His graduate school year was his most productive year, earning multiple regional awards and conference honors while contributing three goals and two assists on defense. Inter Miami will see him as a physically mature option who can quickly adapt to a professional environment.
Miami selects in-form midfielder
Two picks later, Inter Miami added midfielder Kenan Hotto from Duke University with the 32nd overall pick. Hott had a breakout season in 2025, leading the Blue Devils in scoring with eight goals and four assists, helping the program advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
His resume also includes professional experience, including time with Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship and New York Red Bulls II in MLS NEXT Pro. That background could give him an advantage as he transitions to the next level.
The club returned to Bryant University for the third time, taking forward Mamadi Gianna with the 54th overall pick. Gianna led the Bulldogs’ offense in 2025, scoring seven goals in 21 games and earning conference and regional recognition. His ability to consistently start and deliver in a competitive league makes him an attractive development option for Inter Miami’s forward group.
Fierce defender arrives in Miami
Inter Miami selected Indiana University defender Alex Berger with the 60th overall pick. A dependable fullback, Berger started the majority of the Hoosiers’ games and contributed five goals and five assists on both sides of the ball over three seasons. He was on multiple teams that won Big Ten titles and gained experience in high-pressure environments that would translate well to the professional level.
The club closed out the draft by selecting University of Vermont forward Maximilian Kissel with the 90th overall pick. Kissel has a strong scoring ability, scoring 11 goals in his junior season in 2024, highlighted by a defining moment when he scored the winning goal in the NCAA Championship game to win Vermont’s first national title. He then had a solid performance in the 2025 season, appearing in 15 games and recording 5 goals and 4 assists.
For Inter Miami, the SuperDraft remains a long-term investment rather than an immediate solution. But the idea that these young players could one day share the field with Messi underscores the opportunity in front of them. This draft class marks another step in the development of Inter Miami’s next generation of talent, as the club continues to compete for trophies and plans for a life beyond global superstardom.
