When Lionel Messi made the decision to join Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, it wasn’t just to go to a sunny destination, his new coach said.
Gerardo «Tata» Martino was named the new coach of Inter Miami, and during an introductory press conference on Thursday, he discussed Messi and Sergio Busquets, two players he coached during their time together on the Argentina national team, coming to Miami for promote your football. careers
He admitted that Miami is usually a vacation destination for many players from around the world, but they are ready to compete.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Gerardo Martino, coach of Mexico, looks on during the World Cup Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Mexico at Lusail Stadium on November 30, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar. (Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
«When we spoke with Leo, yesterday I spoke with Sergio, we talked about becoming successful, competing and competing well,» Martino said via the new york post office.
“This happens to us even on a personal level, sometimes we associate the United States, Miami, vacations, this is not that. We want to compete.»
LIONEL MESSI ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO JOIN INTER MIAMI IN MLS
For Messi, he decided to go to Inter Miami despite Saudi Arabia offering big money to join Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in their premier league. Barcelona, his old club of his, was also interested in a reunion, but did not have the financial resources to hire him.
Once Messi and Busquets made their intentions to join Inter Miami known, Martino was rumored to be the man to manage them due to their past relationship. He was MLS Coach of the Year in 2018, so he knows how to make it in the league.
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain during a match with Juventus at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2022 in Turin, Italy. (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
But more importantly, his time in charge of Argentina on the national stage, while coaching them with Barcelona from 2013-2014, brings a familiar face and coaching style to the locker room immediately.
However, Martino said that the talks with Inter Miami occurred before Messi and Busquets made their decisions.
«I always found this opportunity attractive,» he said. «…let’s just say the gifts came later.»
Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain controls the ball during the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Lorient at Parc des Princes on April 30, 2023 in Paris. (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Inter Miami is also floundering at the moment, sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings in MLS with a 5-13 record, which includes seven straight losses.