Man Utd Flop Becomes Messi’s New Team-mate After 6 Months Unemployed as Fans Say ‘Very Weird Career Trajectory’

When Sergio Reguilon signed for Inter Miami this week, football fans across social media couldn’t help but raise their eyebrows. The Spanish left-back, who spent a forgettable loan spell at Manchester United in 2023, has finally found employment after six months as a free agent. His new teammate? None other than Lionel Messi. Talk about a plot twist.

The 28-year-old’s journey from Premier League hopeful to MLS newcomer has been anything but straightforward, prompting supporters to describe his career path as “very weird”—and honestly, they’re not wrong.

Messi: From Tottenham Reject to Miami Signing

Reguilon’s football journey reads like a cautionary tale about potential unfulfilled. The six-time Spain international never quite settled during his time in North London with Tottenham Hotspur, despite showing flashes of quality that suggested he could be a reliable Premier League full-back.

After joining Spurs, the defender found himself ping-ponged around Europe on a series of loan deals that told the story of a player searching for his place in the game. First came Atletico Madrid in 2022, followed by that brief six-month stint with Manchester United in 2023, and then another half-season loan to Brentford for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

His final season at Tottenham painted a grim picture. Just six appearances across all competitions made his summer release inevitable. What wasn’t expected was the deafening silence that followed. For six months, Reguilon trained alone, kept fit independently, and waited for a phone call that seemed like it might never come.

The Manchester United Connection: A Forgettable Footnote

Let’s be honest – calling Reguilon’s time at Old Trafford a “stint” is generous. His loan move to Manchester United was supposed to provide defensive cover and Premier League experience. Instead, it became little more than a footnote in both the player’s career and the club’s troubled recent history.

During those six months in the famous red shirt, Reguilon struggled to make an impact in a United side that was itself searching for identity and consistency. The loan deal ended without anyone really noticing, and he moved on to Brentford for another temporary arrangement that yielded similarly underwhelming results.

For United fans, Reguilon’s name barely registers among the club’s recent disappointing acquisitions—and that’s saying something given the competition for that particular honor.

6 in Football Limbo

The period between Reguilon’s Tottenham release and his Inter Miami announcement represents one of modern football’s stranger scenarios. Here was a defender with international caps, Champions League experience, and proven ability at the highest level of Spanish football, yet somehow he was unable to attract interest from clubs across Europe’s top divisions.

What went wrong? The truth likely lies in a combination of factors: his inconsistent form during various loan spells, the saturation of the left-back market, and perhaps clubs questioning his motivation and ability to commit long-term after bouncing between teams for years.

During these six months, Reguilon maintained his fitness through individual training, but the psychological toll of being unwanted in a sport where careers are short and opportunities fleeting must have been significant.

Miami: A Fresh Start or Career Settling?

Inter Miami’s decision to bring in Reguilon represents both opportunity and challenge. The Florida-based club has transformed into one of MLS’s most glamorous destinations since acquiring Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. They’re building something special, combining superstar power with genuine competitive ambition.

For Reguilon, joining this project offers a chance to reset his career trajectory alongside some of football’s greatest-ever players. Training and playing with Messi isn’t an opportunity that comes around often, and the lower intensity of MLS compared to the Premier League might allow him to rediscover his best form.

However, he faces a significant challenge: replacing Jordi Alba. The 36-year-old legendary left-back just wrapped up a spectacular 2024 campaign, recording eight goals and 16 assists across all competitions. Those are world-class numbers that prove Alba, despite his age, remains at the peak of his powers.

Miami clearly believe Reguilon can step into those considerable shoes, but it’s a tall order for a player who’s been out of competitive action for half a year.

Fan Reactions: “Very Weird Career Trajectory”

Social media exploded with bemused reactions to the news. The contrast between Reguilon’s recent struggles and his new superstar environment struck many as surreal.

“From unemployed to playing with Messi – football is wild,” one fan posted, while another added, “Reguilon’s agent deserves a raise. Six months without a club to suddenly team-mates with the GOAT.”

The “very weird career trajectory” comment that’s been circulating perfectly captures the head-scratching nature of his journey. Few players have experienced such dramatic swings between obscurity and glamour in such a short timeframe.

Some fans questioned whether the move represents a genuine opportunity or simply a soft landing for a player whose European career had stalled. Others saw it as a smart, low-risk gamble by Miami, who are securing a relatively young player with top-level experience for what’s likely a modest salary compared to their marquee signings.

What This Means for Inter Miami

Inter Miami’s squad-building strategy reveals an interesting approach: surround their aging superstars with hungry players looking to prove themselves. Reguilon fits this profile perfectly.

If the move works out, Miami gets a competent defender who understands positional play from his time at Spurs and provides cover and competition in a crucial position. If it doesn’t, they’ve invested minimal resources in a short-term deal that won’t damage their long-term plans.

The presence of Spanish-speaking superstars like Messi, Busquets, and Alba should ease Reguilon’s transition. He’ll be communicating in his native language with players who’ve won everything in the game and can provide mentorship that might unlock the potential he’s never quite fulfilled.

Lessons from a Winding Road

Reguilon’s journey offers several takeaways for aspiring footballers and casual fans alike:

Consistency matters more than potential. Reguilon showed glimpses of quality throughout his career but never sustained it long enough to cement himself anywhere.

The loan cycle can become a trap. Bouncing between clubs prevented him from building relationships, understanding systems deeply, or feeling truly settled.

Timing is everything. Being available when Miami needed a left-back after six months of unemployment turned out to be fortunate timing rather than careful career planning.

Football careers rarely follow straight lines. The path from Real Madrid’s academy (where Reguilon developed) to Man United disappointment to six months unemployed to Messi’s teammate proves football remains beautifully unpredictable.

Looking Forward: Can Miami Be Different?

The big question now is whether Inter Miami represents a genuine fresh start or simply another chapter in Reguilon’s nomadic career story. The MLS environment—less physically demanding than the Premier League, with longer breaks between matches—might suit him better at this stage.

Playing alongside Messi could elevate his game in unexpected ways. The Argentine’s football intelligence and ability to make those around him better is well documented. If Reguilon can develop chemistry with Miami’s attacking players and provide the defensive stability they need, this “weird career trajectory” might have a happy ending after all.

For Manchester United fans watching from afar, there’s probably a mixture of indifference and mild curiosity. Reguilon barely registered during his Old Trafford loan, but seeing him land on his feet—even in unexpected circumstances—is a reminder that football careers can change direction quickly.

Final Thoughts

Sergio Reguilon’s story isn’t over yet, but the latest chapter certainly raises eyebrows. From Premier League loan moves that went nowhere to six months in the football wilderness and now to sharing a locker room with arguably the greatest player of all time – it’s a journey that defies conventional career logic.

Whether this move proves to be inspired rehabilitation or simply a soft landing for a player whose best years are behind him remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Inter Miami fans will be watching closely to see if their new Spanish left-back can provide the quality they need and justify their faith in a player the rest of football seemed to have forgotten.

For Reguilon, it’s a final chance to prove that his “very weird career trajectory” can still have a successful destination. With Messi providing assists both on and off the pitch, stranger things have happened in football.