Lionel Messi ‘much happier' at Inter Miami than PSG
Tom Hancock
- Updated: 15 Aug 2023 14:38 BST
- 3 min read
Lionel Messi has been “much happier” since leaving PSG, says Inter Miami head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.
Messi joined the MLS club as a free agent last month and has been reunited with Martino, his former boss at Barcelona and for the Argentina national team.
Martino knows Messi well, then, and he’s seen a positive change in the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner during his short time at Inter Miami so far.
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“You see it in the field,” said Martino. “I don’t have to tell you, but he’s a lot calmer; much happier.”
Messi’s Argentine compatriot went on to imply that their country’s 2022 World Cup-winning captain, 36, hadn’t been in the best place at PSG, adding: “Being happy also has to do with where’s been.”
It’s been a typically prolific start to life in the USA for Messi, who has scored eight goals in his first five appearances for Inter Miami – including a stunning stoppage-time free-kick winner on his debut.
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Messi does it again 🔥🔥
5 games straight✅
8 goals✅
Campana to Messi for our fourth 👏#MIAvCLT | 4-0 pic.twitter.com/l7amAxwzrB— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) August 12, 2023
Messi already chasing trophies in Miami
So far, Messi has only featured for his new side – where he’s been made captain – in the Leagues Cup, and is set to be involved once again in tomorrow’s semi-final against Philadelphia Union; the winner will face either Nashville or Mexican outfit Monterrey in Saturday’s final.
Messi’s MLS debut should come later on this month, with Inter Miami travelling to take on New York Red Bulls on August 27.
The Herons currently sit bottom of the MLS’ Eastern Conference and will need an absolute miracle to challenge for any league honours this season – but their signing of one of the greatest players of all time has, unsurprisingly, generated a terrific buzz around the place, and it could well serve as the springboard for great things in the not-too-distant future.
