Izuchukwu Okosi
Following the recent unveiling of Lionel Messi as new signing for MLS side Inter Miami, the club’s head coach, Tata Martino, has warned the club’s fans that they must be patient with the former Barcelona and PSG star.
Martino insists the Argentine star will need some time to get ‘physically ready’ before making his debut for the club, supposedly later this month.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMartino, who coached Messi at FC Barcelona (2013-14) and Argentina (2014-16), was in charge of the club for the first time on Saturday night in the 3-0 defeat against St. Louis City SC.
‘‘First of all, we’re happy the signing of the contract was made official today and tomorrow he has his presentation,’’ said Martino, referencing to Sunday’s ‘Bienvenido Messi’ a special documentary on the seven-time Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Cup (2022) winner.
‘’We would’ve liked to have been able to gift him a win for that presentation, and we haven’t been able to do it.
‘’Then, looking to the future, with the excitement that comes with having the best player in the world playing for your team,’ Martino added after the MLS’ Matchday 26.
‘‘But also with the patience we need to have to make him physically ready so he can play at the right moment.’’
Messi, who was pictured shopping at grocery store Publix after his landing in the US earlier this week, is eyeing to don Inter Miami’s pink jersey for the first time against La Liga MX’s Cruz Azul on July 21 — a 2023 Leagues Cup match that will be played at Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium (pronounced ”Drive Pink”).
The Herons will resume MLS action on Saturday, August 20, when hosting Charlotte FC at home, earmarked as Messi’s league debut.
Three days later, Messi and his teammates, which now include Sergio Busquets, will travel to Ohio to face FC Cincinnati in the US Open cup semifinals.
Those matches will provide opportunities for Messi to adjust to the pace of the game in America, if needed, leading to potential silverware in the 36-year-old’s first season with Miami.
The club, co-owned by David Beckham, is currently on a rut, extending its losing streak to 11 games after being defeated by St. Louis, sitting 12 points off the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spots and in last place (15) of the Eastern Conference.
Last month, Inter Miami officials chose to part ways with Phil Neville – a member of Manchester United’s famous Class of 1992, like Beckham – following a stuttering start to the season.
The 2023-24 MLS campaign began in February.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
