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Mateo Silvetti’s Youthful Brilliance Has Transformed Inter Miami

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Nov 29, 2025 2:13 PM ET

Javier Mascherano’s gutsy call to drop Luis Suarez to the bench while giving an opportunity to in-form Argentina youth international Mateo Silvetti is paying off in spades.

Silvetti has changed the dynamic for Inter Miami with his vertical runs and unpredictability. He started alongside Lionel Messi in consecutive matches, and both matches ended in 4-0 victories for the Herons.

The 19-year-old has recorded one goal and three assists across 206 playoff minutes.

Taylor Twellman, lead analyst for MLS on Apple TV, spoke about Silvetti’s impact during a media roundtable Zoom prior to Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Eastern Conference Final meeting with New York City FC.

Silvetti has not shied away from pressure throughout the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs. With every coming match getting bigger and more important, the teenage attacker’s confidence has grown.

“He’s bold, he’s brash, he goes after it,” Twellman said. “He believes in his mind at 19 that he's the best winger for this team right now. I absolutely love it. I don’t find it a coincidence that Allende’s got four or five goals since playing with him. It opens it up.”

Twellman on Silvetti: ‘He’s Never Been Shy of the Moment'

Inter Miami CF forward Tadeo Allende reacts after scoring a goal with forward Mateo Silvetti and forward Lionel Messi in the second half against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. Katie Stratman-Imagn ImagesKatie Stratman-Imagn Images

Twellman recalled noticing something different from Silvetti immediately upon watching him for the first time. Silvetti only started one match and played a total of 96 minutes prior to the postseason. Yet, he’s carrying himself with a belief like he’s been integrated into the Inter Miami starting XI for several seasons.

“I was there for his debut, and if I'm not mistaken, his second touch of the game, he tried to score from a ridiculous angle,” Twellman remembered. “I remember my commentary at the time was ‘this kid's not shy of the moment.’ I saw something different than the debut that I saw from (Allen) Obando and the debut of other players.

“This kid's just not shy of the moment. I mean, he's an under-20 national team player that went to the World Cup. So, obviously, there's gotta be something there. I think Miami taps into the fact that they've got Messi. They've got Busquets. He then makes the move to come here. I don't want to put the cart before the horse and say, 'this guy's going to be a superstar' or anything of that nature. On the other hand, actions are a lot louder than words – and he's never been shy of the moment.”

Inter Miami will need to get past an NYCFC team that has played well-organized and stingy in defense under head coach Pascal Jansen. The Pigeons edged past the Supporters’ Shield-winning Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 1-0 away victory at Subaru Park.

But Inter Miami is an entirely different beast compared to the Union. Messi, Silvetti and Tadeo Allende are scoring goals for fun. It’s possible that no MLS team can stop the Herons when they’re in their pomp.

Saturday’s match will kick off at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV and MLS Season Pass.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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