Lionel Messi Loses Key Teammate as Drake Callender Joins Charlotte FC

Inter Miami confirmed the departure of long-serving goalkeeper Drake Callender to Charlotte FC. The 27-year-old, who played 118 matches since joining in 2019 and was crucial in the 2023 Leagues Cup win, leaves after fitness issues limited him to just three games in 2025. Miami received $750,000 in General Allocation Money, plus conditional bonuses.

For the first time since Inter Miami’s MLS debut, Lionel Messi will play without long-time teammate Drake Callender by his side. On Tuesday, the club confirmed that the 27-year-old goalkeeper has joined Charlotte FC, marking the end of his six-year stay with the Herons. Callender, who joined in 2019, made 118 appearances and became a crucial figure during Miami’s rise, particularly after Messi’s arrival in 2023.

His shot-stopping heroics were central to the team’s Leagues Cup triumph that year, and he featured in 32 matches in the 2024 season, helping the club secure the Supporters’ Shield. However, injuries derailed his 2025 campaign. Surgery for a sports hernia and the strong form of Oscar Ustari limited him to just three games this year. Inter Miami agreed to a deal worth $750,000 in General Allocation Money, spread across 2025 and 2026, with the possibility of an extra $75,000 and a sell-on clause.

Now with Charlotte, Callender becomes a direct rival, as both teams sit in the Eastern Conference playoff spots, Miami fifth on 45 points with three games in hand, Charlotte seventh on 44. His experience and recent national team involvement make him a key addition for Charlotte’s push toward success.