As he stepped up to the penalty spot, Santiago Morales took a deep breath.
At 17 years old, he was making his first-team debut for Inter Miami after years of dreaming about it. The moment was set, the last penalty of the game-winning shootout. If he scored it it would be the biggest night of his life. If not, his chance of becoming part of the first-team may start to vanish. The referee blew the whistle, Morales waited for the right moment and with the swift strike of his right foot, the ball soared past the defeated goalkeeper and into the net. Morales won the game 3-2 in the shootout against Club América for the Herons.
Despite being just 17 years old, Morales plays with an intensity that sets him apart. His speed, vision, and relentless pressing make him a nightmare for defenders. The moment he loses the ball, he fights to win it back, his work ethic and dedication for the team proves why he is one of Inter Miami’s most exciting young talents.
Born in Spain, Santiago Morales moved to the United States as a baby, now living in Broward County, growing up with soccer in his blood. His father, Javier, is a former MLS star and current Inter Miami assistant coach, under new head coach Javier Mascherano. Javier played a key role in shaping his son’s early understanding and passion for the game.
“From the time I can remember, I always had a ball at my feet. My dad played professionally, but it was never forced on me. I just fell in love with the game naturally,” Santiago said in an interview with Mapa del Hincha, a YouTube channel for the Argentine television station, Telefe.
At 5’7″ and 148 lbs, the right-footed midfielder has been part of Inter Miami since 2019, joining its inaugural academy class, which has divisions from under-10 to under-19. Over the years, he sharpened his skills, earning MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs MVP honors for their U-15 squad in 2022 as Inter Miami won a national championship.
Off the field, Morales enjoys drinking mate, a traditional South American beverage made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water, and playing Argentine Truco with his family and friends, traditions that keep him connected to his roots despite his international career. On Sept. 12, 2023, Inter Miami signed Morales as a Homegrown Contract, a contract offered to MLS players that played in the academies of their respective clubs, through the 2027 MLS season with an option for 2028. The young midfielder is the seventh academy product to join the Herons’ first team.
“Santi is a promising young midfielder who has been here since the start, growing within our development pathway,” Chris Henderson, Inter Miami’s chief soccer officer and sporting director at the time, said in a press release in 2023. “He has impressed with the academy and Inter Miami CF II, and we believe he has significant potential.”
While competing in MLS NEXT Pro for Inter Miami II, Morales has notched six goals and two assists in 31 games (23 starts). He has also been a regular for the US U-15 and U-16 national teams, participating in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2023, and recently serving as captain at the 2023 International Dream Cup in Japan.
Morales made his debut for Inter Miami this year, where he played his first minutes against Club América in Las Vegas. The game ended 2-2 leading to a penalty shootout, where Morales stepped up and scored the decisive penalty to secure the first win of the year.
“Obviously, when you’re walking up to the ball, you feel nervous, but once you get there, you have to calm down and take the penalty with confidence,” Morales recalled in a post-match interview after the game against Club América.
Santiago has been part of several Inter Miami games this year, getting more minutes in the win against Universitario de Deportes, where he scored another penalty in the shootout, and in the 3-1 win against Sporting San Miguelito in Panama.
Despite his talent, Morales has faced the challenge of proving that his father’s presence on the club had nothing to do with his success.
“There are always people who talk, who say things like, ‘You’re here because of your dad,’” Morales said in an interview with Palabra Autorizada in 2024. “But I know what I’ve worked for. He and I have different roles at the club, and I’ve had to earn my spot just like anyone else.”
His close friend and training partner, Isidro Cambalkian, said he has seen Morales’ determination for years.
“Santi is one of those guys who never stops pushing himself. Even on bad days, he’s at training giving 100%,” Cambalkian said in an interview with Caplin News. “We would stay practicing shots, running drills. He was always the different one, everyone noticed it when they saw him with the ball, he wanted to be great.”
The 2025 season could mark his official MLS debut for his professional career. The season will start on February 22nd when New York City visits Inter Miami.
“I’m not thinking too far ahead,” Santiago said during a press conference before an Inter Miami training session in January. “My focus is on training, improving every day, and making sure that when my name is called again, I’m ready,”
