Coming on as an alternative on his Inter Miami debut, Lionel Messi swept the soccer global off their toes with a surprising last-gasp winner in opposition to Cruz Azul, final week. Now, Inter Miami head trainer Gerardo “Tata” Martino has showed that Messi shall be dressed in the captain’s armband in his 2nd Inter Miami look. The Argentine celebrity, in all probability, could also be anticipated to start out Wednesday’s Leagues Cup fit in opposition to Atlanta United. The length of Messi’s keep at the box will, then again, rely on his health, Martino stated.
“Yes, he was our captain in the last game as well,” Martino affirmed when requested whether or not Messi will lead Inter Miami in opposition to Atlanta United. “It could be very most likely that each Messi and Busi [Sergio Busquets] will play longer, even from the start. Everything is determined by how they really feel. It’s simply their 2nd recreation,” the Inter Miami head coach said during a press conference on Monday.
Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets reunited in Inter Miami’s thrilling 2-1 win over Cruz Azul. Both Messi and Busquets were subbed on in the second half. Finnish winger Robert Taylor earned a lead for Inter Miami just a minute before the stroke of halftime. Inter Miami’s lead did not last long as Cruz Azul scored an equalizer in the 65th minute. It was Messi who eventually came to Inter Miami’s rescue, scoring one of his trademark free kicks in the dying minutes of the game to earn three points for the Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit.
When asked to share his thoughts on how the game against Cruz Azul came to an end, Gerardo “Tata” Martino said, “It is one thing routine from him. [greatness]and since it’s routine, we attempt to normalize issues that don’t seem to be not unusual.”
Versatile American right-back DeAndre Yedlin had previously handled Inter Miami’s leadership duties after replacing Brazilian Gregore, who sustained an injury earlier this year in March. Lionel Messi had worn the captain’s armband on a regular basis at Barcelona but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was never appointed the official skipper during his stint at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Argentina football team, under the leadership of Messi, won the historic FIFA World Cup title last year in Qatar.
Apart from Sergio Busquets, former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has also signed a contract with Inter Miami. The Spanish international left Barcelona this summer having represented the Catalan giants for 11 years. A report published by ESPN claimed that Alba arrived in Miami last week and the 34-year-old can very well make his debut for the American side during the Leagues Cup fixture against Atlanta United.
Having secured their fifth domestic league win last week, Inter Miami will now be aiming to claim another victory in a potential knockout match against Atlanta United. A point from Wednesday’s encounter will help Inter Miami in confirming their berth in the Leagues Cup round of 32.