Inter Miami’s owner, Jorge Mas, spoke to the media shortly after the MLS suspended Lionel Messi for skipping the July All-Star game. Mas spoke about how incredibly upset Messi was with the league’s decision to bench him for a whole game for not attending an exhibition match. While Mas hoped that the incident wouldn’t have any long-term effects on how Messi felt about the team, he also said something else.

“We’re gonna strengthen our roster, we’re gonna bring in amazing players. We’re gonna keep building…” said the owner. His focus? To win the CONCACAF Champions Cup and qualify for the next Club World Cup. So, staying true to that spirit, Miami has already signed Rodrigo De Paul, hoping to strengthen their aging midfield and give Messi the backup he needs. Yet, their most recent transfer has ruffled a lot of feathers.

Givemesport writer and MLS insider Tom Bogert, who was among the first to report that LAFC was closing in on a deal to secure Son Heung-min, has now dropped another bombshell. Bogert reported that seemingly out of nowhere, Inter Miami and Charlotte FC have agreed on a deal that will see goalkeeper Drake Callender pack his bags for North Carolina. Now you may be wondering what’s so shocking about a trade?

Well, the Bogert revealed that, as per sources, even Callender wasn’t aware of the deal. “The player was surprised about the destination of the trade and was not consulted in the process, sources add. Other MLS clubs wanted him as well, sources add,” Tom Bogert wrote in his report. While injuries have kept Drake Callender away from the goal for all but three matches, no one saw this coming.

After all, the Inter Miami goalkeeper was a regular sight in front of the net for the Herons in the last three seasons. What’s more? Callender was an MLS Goalkeeper of the Year candidate in the past, having played a crucial role in Miami’s 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield and 2023 Leagues Cup wins. In fact, he made that final save that earned Miami the Leagues Cup title. Naturally, the move left fans scratching their heads.

Frustrated Inter Miami fans flooded the comments

Considering Bogert’s reliability as an insider, fans became convinced that Charlotte and Miami will soon officially confirm the deal. “Miami sticking with the 39-year-old mediocre Argentine keeper. Smart business,” one disappointed fan commented with more than a hint of sarcasm. And it’s not difficult to see why the fan was disappointed at the seemingly unceremonious departure.

Inter Miami showed a lot of faith in the 27-year-old when he signed a contract extension with the club in 2023. “His development as a player in his first three years at the Club has been fantastic and we are excited to see him continue leading the line for many years to come,” said then Miami’s then-Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.

That contract was supposed to last through this season. Unfortunately, this apparent trade shows that Callender sitting out almost the entirety of his final season wasn’t something the club envisioned. However, the insider didn’t learn everything about the deal, like what Miami gained from Charlotte or Callender’s contract value with Charlotte. And that led to more sarcasm.

“Cue ‘Welcome’ post by Inter Miami for a novice GK from Racing, Lanus, or Boca/River Reserves,” one fan commented. The fact that Racing Club de Avellaneda, Club Atlético Lanús, Club Atlético Boca Juniors, and Club Atlético River Plate all belong to the Argentine Primera División was a clear jab at Inter Miami signing Argentinian talent in connection with Lionel Messi.

The fan believes more Argentine talents will arrive as Miami already signed Rodrigo De Paul, and both their goalkeepers, Oscar Ustari and Rocco Ríos Novo, are also Argentinian. Meanwhile, another fan simply expressed his disappointment. “Hope they treat him better than Miami did; he deserves better,” the soccer fan wrote. And the comment does highlight how quickly Callender fell out of favor.

Despite his age, Oscar Ustari, who signed with Inter Miami in 2024, has performed well. However, after Ustari’s injury, Rocco Ríos Novo has proved potent in front of the net. So, with Drake Callender’s herniated disc surgery forcing him to the sideline since April and his contract running out, it seems Miami is willing to explore other options. Yet some believe Miami made a mistake.

Finally, some fans were shocked not because of the surprise deal but rather why Charlotte would agree to it. “This makes absolutely no sense. Charlotte has the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, who is coming off the game of his life,” commented one fan. The goalkeeper in question is the reigning GKOTY title holder, Kristijan Kahlina. What’s more? Kalina will stay with the club through 2026, with the option for 2027.

And that’s not all. “We also have a very good backup in David Bingham and some great young prospects in Odunze and Holliday. This is the last thing @CharlotteFC needs,” the soccer fan added. Does that mean Charlotte plans to part ways with 34-year-old David Bingham? Unfortunately, Inter Miami and Charlotte FC need to make things official before we know those details. Yet what do you think of the surprise deal? Give us your views in the comments.