Football superstar Lionel Messi has expressed his admiration for his fellow players and head coach Gerardo Martino at Inter Miami as they gear up for the Leagues Cup final clash against Nashville SC this Saturday.
Since joining the team on a free transfer last month, Messi has remarkably netted nine goals in six matches in the Leagues Cup tournament, which brings together teams from the United States, Canada, and Mexico on an annual basis.
Speaking at a press conference held at Inter Miami’s headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, the 36-year-old shared, “We always believed in our ability to compete and secure this title.”
Despite occupying the last position in the eastern conference of Major League Soccer, Inter Miami has turned things around dramatically with Messi and Martino on board, winning all six matches since their arrival in mid-July, according to reports by Xinhua.
Messi also highlighted the unwavering support of Inter Miami’s fans as a driving force behind the team’s impressive turnaround. He acknowledged, “The team has made significant progress since [Martino’s] arrival. I came to the club with immense enthusiasm and the same determination for achieving results as I’ve maintained throughout my career.”
While finding himself in an unexpected final, Messi affirmed the team’s readiness for the challenge. He noted, “We’ve been preparing ourselves for this moment. The growth of the team has been remarkable.”
Drawing a comparison to his transition to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 after a lengthy tenure with Barcelona, Messi stated, “The process was much smoother than we [my family] expected. We had undergone a significant change from Barcelona to Paris, which was quite intricate. However, this experience was completely different.”
Concluding on a positive note, Messi expressed his contentment with the decision to join Inter Miami, emphasizing not only the football perspective but also the family’s overall experience. He highlighted the pleasant daily life, the city’s appeal, and the warm reception from people in Miami and across the United States.
-IANS
