Exclusive Interview with Homegrown Player Leo Afonso

The MLS has a Homegrown Player rule where a club can essentially develop a player in their youth academy system for at least a year and can be signed as a Homegrown professional player. There is no limit to Homegrown players on a team. Five homegrown players for Inter Miami featured in the 2024 season and stepped up when their name was called. Leo Afonso, a 23-year-old homegrown player for Inter Miami, in an exclusive interview, explained what it means to play for his hometown team saying, “Sometimes it doesn’t feel real, and I have to remind myself that this is where it all started for me. It brings a sense of home and community which I am so grateful to have because I would not have that anywhere else I played.” The intensity and passion that these young homegrown players play with for their hometown is palpable. Afonso continued by explaining what it means to be playing in the city of Miami. “Playing in the city of Miami is probably one of the best cities to play in. The soccer culture here is a lot stronger than in other states. It is powerful to see how the community watches and supports inter Miami, it brings the culture together.” Miami and South Florida in general love soccer and it is clear in their support for Inter Miami. Homegrown players like Afonso are relied upon to provide intensity, fresh legs, and passion to provide a different dynamic than many of the older players who offer different qualities. Although young players offer something different on the field than many of the superstars, Inter Miami has the lessons learned from some of the all-time greats as invaluable experience. Afonso explains this experience of playing with soccer's greatest players, as a dream, saying, “It didn’t feel real that they were my teammates, having the opportunity to watch and learn from them every day has made me a better player.” Being able to learn from the soccer legends that make up Inter Miami’s roster has helped make Miami’s group of young talent an admired force by the rest of the league