- Nick Massman says Inter Miami not ready to sign Lionel Messi in summer
- Weeks later, the Florida team terminated the goaltender’s contract
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Former Inter Miami goalkeeper Nick Massman admits his criticism of Lionel Messi’s transfer was “unpleasant” and insists it was a “dream come true” to briefly play in the same team as him.
It was no surprise that Messi received a warm welcome when he arrived in South Florida earlier this year.
But Massman wasn’t initially convinced that Miami’s signing of the Argentinian made sense or was a good idea.
Back in June, the goalkeeper said David Beckham’s side were not equipped to bring in a player of Messi’s caliber.
“I personally don’t think the club is ready for Messi’s arrival,” Massman said at the time.
“We have a makeshift stadium where people can walk on the pitch and there are no gates.
“We will also go to the stadium without security. I don’t think they are ready yet. But I wish I had come.
These comments have not gone down well with the club or fans, who are desperate for Messi to sign for them.
His comments came just weeks after Inter Miami decided to terminate the 33-year-old’s contract and terminate his deal.
Massman now insists he was not trying to sabotage Messi’s move and says he has been unfairly criticized.
He told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, “Inter Miami is an ambitious club with big dreams and they try again and again to make the impossible possible.”
“But these points made me dismiss the speculation that Messi might arrive.
Yes, it’s a bit unpleasant. After the news was announced, everyone thought I had been interviewed. I don’t want Messi to eat. This is how it is presented. but it is not the truth. In fact, it was a childhood dream come true for me.
“I said (to Messi): ‘That’s not what it said. This is completely taken out of context. “
“‘No problem, I don’t understand it myself,’ he said. When I explained what happened, the club understood it. They agreed with me.
The Dutchman joined Miami midway through the 2021 season after two years with Feyenoord in the Eredivisie.
He has made 29 appearances for the club but has failed to break into the starting lineup and has served as backup to Drake Callender since arriving from Inter Miami II in November 2021.
In September 2023, Massman joined USL Championship team San Antonio on loan from MLS as the MLS pool goalkeeper.
The termination of Massman’s contract caps a difficult few weeks for him after he was hospitalized in June.
His supermodel wife revealed on Instagram that he was bitten by a spider during a family trip to the zoo and was hospitalized for three days.