Lionel Messi has come to MLS to ‘compete’ – Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino
Lionel Messi has come to MLS to “compete”, according to new Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino.
Messi confirmed his intention to move to Inter Miami in June following the expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, meaning he will play his club football outside of Europe for the first time. He will be joined at the club by former Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets.
Martino was announced as Inter Miami’s new head coach on Wednesday and has coached seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi at both Barcelona and Argentina
“For those of us who are accustomed to competing on a daily basis, we can be in different places and how we live out our careers doesn’t change,” said Martino, speaking at his first press conference.
“When we spoke to Leo, and yesterday I spoke with Sergio (Busquets), we spoke about coming here to have success, to compete and compete well. Often people put the United States, Miami, and vacation together, it’s not like that. We want to compete.
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“They’re coming from winning a World Cup and winning La Liga. They’re not two players who will come here and not compete. It’s in their blood. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Messi cannot officially become an Inter Miami player until July 1, once his PSG deal has expired.
Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson said terms were agreed with the 35-year-old, leaving paperwork to be completed with MLS before he is ready to feature for the club in “mid, late July”.
“With regards to Leo, the terms are agreed but we’re working on the paperwork with Major League Soccer,” Henderson said. “Those are going to take time to finish but we hope that there’s a time in mid, late July that he’s ready to go. But that’s just going to be up to how he finishes all paperwork.”
Messi is arguably the most high-profile acquisition in the history of MLS and represents a huge coup as the United States gears up to jointly host the 2026 World Cup.
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Martino backed the U.S. to take full advantage of the World Cup winner’s move to MLS.
“The entire country is talking about (Messi). NBA players and NFL players are talking about it,” he added. “It’s almost strange to be honest. MLS is constantly evolving and the proof is the American players who are playing in the top leagues in Europe and on very good teams. That process had already begun.
“And now with the best player in the world coming here, everything has come together. Messi having decided to come and play here will open a new frontier for the league’s growth. The U.S. is not a country that will not take advantage of that opportunity. Messi’s presence in this league will surely make MLS better.”
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The 60-year-old is awaiting his visa confirmation and Henderson was hopeful this would move forward over the “next five or six days”.
Martino previously spent two years at Atlanta United following his departure from the Argentina national team and highlighted his talks with the Inter Miami hierarchy as crucial to taking the role.
“I spent two great years in Atlanta,” he said. “We were able to have a wonderful experience. Obviously the circumstances now are different. But having held talks with Chris (Henderson), Niki Budalić, Jorge Mas and David (Beckham) that’s how I became convinced that taking on this challenge was the right decision.”
Inter Miami return to action on July 2 when they face Austin.
