Lionel Messi’s new life in Miami: The Inter players he ‘adopted’ and the moves that make him feel ‘at home’

Even outside DRV PNK Stadium, La Pulga has a local feel (Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)

More than three months have passed since the first practice Lionel Messi inside inter miamiBut what happened after he landed in the United States was so crazy and overwhelming, it seemed like a lifetime had passed. Considering that he joins a team that is at the bottom of the MLS division and has accumulated 11 games without a win, the initial assessment of his first step is very positive. It might have been better had the right hamstring injury that sidelined him in the decisive moment not taken its toll. But it’s the star himself who brings balance to his days.

“I’m proud of everything the team has accomplished this season. With everyone’s hard work and hard work, we won the League Cup, achieved the first championship in the history of Inter Miami, we entered the finals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open, and we even fought to enter the playoffs. Major League Soccer almost until the very end,” he posted on his Instagram account.

“Everything we have left is good and most importantly we are eager to improve to be more competitive next year. I would like to thank everyone at the club and the city of Miami for their continued support. I am confident that we will continue to have incredible moments together, as has happened in recent months. Sending everyone a hug! ” concluded the 36-year-old visionary.

As well as the results and their impact on the game, raising arena ticket prices to unexpected figures and putting the event in the spotlight of the world, there’s also a human side. Just as the transition from Barcelona to Paris was zigzag due to the unexpected and challenging nature of the ecosystem, in Miami he saw the red carpet being rolled out as more than just a gesture.

Messi hands teammate DeAndre Yedlin captaincy

There are signs, symbols that point to an almost natural symbiotic relationship with the community that welcomed him. From the moment his eldest sons Thiago and Mateo have integrated themselves into the Inter Milan youth academy and, together with Ciro, use the turf of the DRV PNK Stadium as their home ground after every game, to Messi’s calmness and patience. Looking for their new home, this oceanfront mansion is just 16 minutes away from Las Garzas’ home. Even the idol gets along well with the weather, although many of his castmates admitted during their first conversation that it can be difficult to deal with.

“He likes it here, it’s not unlike Barcelona in the summer, it’s also very humid in Barcelona. He had been warned about adaptations, but he likes it. Plus it’s close to the sea, like Castelldefels ,”He told database People in the United States who have access to your privacy.

The dome of Las Garzas, Jorge Mas and David Beckham As the one in charge, she worked first to seduce him and then to make him, his wife Antonella Rocuzzo, and their family feel protected. With the addition of high-profile reinforcements and good rapport with La Pulga (Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba) and support at all levels. In fact, a British man and his wife, victoria adamsthey try to add them to their social circle in order to make them feel comfortable.

And, most importantly, the team received him with admiration and respect, along with the captain’s ribbon, which was DeAndre Yedlin, in the tray. This is another difference compared to what happens at PSG, which has many pre-existing leaders and where the battle of egos (the Argentine remains neutral) is in full swing, with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar A bid between is on the table, which offers several toxic chapters of coexistence.

Beckham and his family have done a lot to make the Messi family feel comfortable (Reuters/Marco Bello)

Those who know the icon say, “He felt warmly welcomed by the group and the club from the start.” Yedlin’s gesture paid off during the Carabao Cup celebrations, when he had the chance to lift the trophy. He has shown industrial-grade leadership recently with Argentina. Messi’s wink also helped cement our relationship. Such as a gift for all teammates (a pair of headphones), a remote congratulatory message in a WhatsApp group after a victory over Kansas in the qualifying round with Albiceleste, or cheering for every game from the box The fact that a player is unable to play due to injury.

knowledge with coach Gerardo MartinoHaving already developed his talents with Barcelona and the Argentina national team, he represents another key. They met before arriving in Miami, and both Tata and his coaching staff maintained a fluid dialogue with the forward to manage his time on the court as he was experiencing immeasurable discomfort in the back of his right thigh.

Another surprise about the 2023 Qatar World Cup winner traveling with Argentina is the public’s love for him outside of Miami. Inter Milan even became home in other stadiums, as there were many neutral fans eager to witness the magic of the Celeste Blanc captain. Celebrities from different fields of entertainment and culture began to line up in the stands to watch the live performances. Another difference from his experience in France, especially after the defeat to the Roosters of Gaul in the last World Cup final.

In this new environment of enjoyment, without losing a trace of competitive spirit, “Adopted” some of the team’s commitment or young talent. “He did it not only here, but also at PSG and especially at Barcelona. It’s the same thing they did for him when he started.” A man who knew his career well and remembered Ronaldo This is how Nardinho and Puyol acted as mentors in the early stages of his career.

One source provided a story that proves this.arrive Ousmane Dembele I see his qualities, but he doesn’t quite fit into the world of Barcelona. He then invited Ernesto Valverde to meet and asked him how he could help him develop his virtues better.Well, on the same train, at Miami International, he adopted several boys, like Facundo Farias (He even added this in training and named him a starter), Benjamin Kremarski, Thomas Aviles anyone David Ruiz.

Duchi, Bizalup, Bisso Plummer and Nikki Nicol feature in Messi’s Inter Miami squad

“One learns a lot. One thing he told me was to keep quiet. When you’re young, you want to run every ball and find space to gain more possession.But he told me to stay in my position because the ball was coming,” said Ruiz, a player on the Honduras national team. Well, that was the goal in the 4-1 win over Philadelphia United in the League Cup semi-finals. “I more patient and When he went outside for the second time, I knew this was my chance to overpower him and score. “ends the anecdote.

He also said something similar Edison Ascona. The Dominican also listened to the star’s advice to improve his game: “When I went to receive the ball, he would suggest an option to control the ball and choose one that was better than the other.” Even Beckham himself Also amazed by the Argentinian legend’s passion for teaching.

“The kids in the academy now have someone they can trust in everything because they win everything. He’s teaching them and it’s amazing. One day while interviewing a kid from the academy who was doing really well , a funny thing happened, I asked him, “What’s the best advice Leo has given you so far? “. and The boy answered me: “Walk more. He told me to walk more during the game because then you can see more.”“, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid player said at the scene.

A life spent in Europe, fighting at the highest level, may have left a thirst. Strange? “He didn’t have time to think too much, the whirlpool took away everything. He performed well at Inter Milan, he performed well in the national team…”, they gave testimony near the former Newell. Perhaps a Champions League pass – the first time he has not played in the Champions League on his way to the elite – could spark some excitement. “But he feels very comfortable in this country and in the game,” the same voice emphasized. In any case, in a week’s time he will arrive in the Old Continent and potentially win his eighth career Ballon d’Or…

Even with the team out of the playoffs, there are still rumors that he could be loaned out to Barcelona for a semester, and the attacker expressed his confidence by conveying his enthusiasm after scoring two wonderful goals in the South American qualifiers against Peru. Scheduling ruined this rumor. “I will try my best to perform well in November. Then, enjoy your holidays in Argentina. It will be the first time that I will be able to spend more days with my people during the holidays. In January I will Conduct pre-season in the best possible way and we will be ready for what is to come,” he concluded.

The striker won the League Cup and reached the US Open final (EFE/EPA/MARK HUMPHREY)

The benefit of them staying at home in MLS is being close to Argentina’s two great goals: the 2024 Copa America, which is almost local (or completely local), and the 2026 World Cup. Performed in the United States, Mexico and Canada. In principle, he just confirmed the defense of participating in the continental competition because his plan is to proceed “year by year”, although its effectiveness makes him cautious. “They didn’t talk to him much about it, but he did know that his advantage was knowing all the scenarios, all the corners of both games,” and they accepted that in his environment.

In Miami, he managed to replicate a seemingly indelible smile with the national team. He lived a normal life: that is why he is infamous for his pictures in meetings with friends, going to the supermarket or as a spectator (strictly a spectator, without intervention, despite who he is) watching children’s games. “In Barcelona I take the kids to school, in Paris I go out to eat. Here they are trying the same thing and the photos are going viral just because they are surprising,” the same source noted.

When Messi announced his decision to play in Major League Soccer (MLS), he thought about “experience the American League in a different way, enjoying more the daily life of being with his family, but also having the same responsibilities: Wanting to win and do things” is all good. “Always the same, albeit more peacefully.” Three months later, it can be said that its mission is 100% accomplished. And the revolution has just begun…

For all his experiences in North America, Messi has felt the love of the public (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

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