Israeli Forward Idan Zaltser-Zubida Joins Inter Miami, May Play Alongside Messi

Inter Miami announced Sunday it has signed Israeli-American forward Idan Zaltser-Zubida to a short-term contract, promoting him from the club's reserve team, Inter Miami 2. The 21-year-old is expected to be in the squad for the team's upcoming away game against Columbus Crew on September 27.

Zaltser-Zubida, born in the United States and raised in Israel, could make his debut alongside Lionel Messi, who joined the club in 2023. His father, Hani Zubida, an Israeli researcher and media personality, shared his pride on X, detailing his son's extensive youth career path through various Israeli clubs and academies, including Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Barcelona's Arizona academy, before his move to South Florida.

Prior to his move to the U.S., Zaltser-Zubida played in the youth systems of Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv. He made his professional debut in 2024 with Inter Miami's reserve team in MLS NEXT Pro, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 18 appearances during his first season. In the 2025 season, he played in 25 games, contributing four goals and seven assists. This current 2026 season, he established himself as the top scorer for Inter Miami 2, with a career-high ten goals and one assist. Across three seasons with the reserve team, Zaltser-Zubida accumulated 68 appearances, 17 goals, and nine assists.