Most fans and football experts believed that Lionel Messi was just ready to kick back and enjoy his final days in football when he chose to join MLS side Inter Miami. According to newly appointed coach Gerardo Martino, that is not what he has in mind.
During the press conference where he was unveiled as Inter's new coach, Martino revealed details of a juicy conversation he had with both Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, who are set to join the MLS side next month after signing lucrative deals. In the presser, Martino revealed that those who believe Messi has lost his competitive fire after joining the league might be in for a surprise.
"When we spoke with Leo and with Sergio (Busquets), we talked about coming here to succeed, to compete, and do it the right way. Sometimes you associate playing in the U.S. and most of all in Miami with a vacation, and that is not it. We want to compete, they are looking forward to it," Martino said.
The former Mexico and Atlanta United coach went on about how their desire to increase their resume will do wonders for the team.
"They come here after winning World Cup titles, after winning La Liga, they are not the type of players that are going to come down here to relax. They can't afford that luxury because it is in their blood, and that is what we will try to do with this team," Martino added.
Before the Q&A ended, the coach admitted that the league will face a different landscape once Lionel Messi joins the competition.
"Having the best player in the world coming here will open a lot of growth opportunities. I see the U.S. as a country where it is not common to let these opportunities go away, and Messi's presence in this league will make the MLS even better," Martino concluded.
Martino will work one more time with Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets after his failed spell with Barcelona in 2014. He then went on to coach "La Pulga" with La Albiceleste between 2014 and 2016, failing to win any titles with the national team while ending as runner-up in two consecutive Copa América editions.
