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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Argentine icon moved to the States in 2023</li><li>Made immediate impact on &amp; off the field</li><li>Source of inspiration to those around him</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

What is it like to train with Lionel Messi? GOAT ‘five or six steps ahead’ of everyone as Inter Miami youngster Ryan Carmichael explains ‘surreal experience’

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<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in Florida since <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/secret-meetings-10-year-project-how-david-beckham-signed-lionel-messi-inter-miami-co-owner/bltcc28a521e2bdff22 " target="_blank">completing a move to the United States in the summer of 2023</a>. He has made a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-mls-super-bowl-taylor-swift-nfl/blt39d85cdceedca32c" target="_blank">stunning impact on and off the field</a>, with standards at Chase Stadium and across MLS being raised. Carmichael, who was acquired by the Herons in the 2024 SuperDraft, is among those fortunate enough to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/explained-why-lionel-messi-team-mates-drool-training-inter-miami-nicolas-stefanelli-life-mls-all-time-great/blt33f22e5ce7196804" target="_blank">work alongside Messi on a daily basis</a>.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The 22-year-old Northern Irish winger has told <a href="https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/i-have-dreams-of-playing-alongside-lionel-messi-at-inter-miami-but-my-sole-focus-is-progressing-my-career-says-ex-portadown-ace-ryan-carmichael-4558525 " target="_blank"><em>News Letter</em></a> of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-impact-unbelievable-lionel-messi-already-had-inter-miami-training/blt6476cd9706b6571f" target="_blank">that experience</a>: “I have been up a few times with the first-team and have played in a training match, which was a surreal experience. Training with Lionel was certainly a memorable occasion, he doesn’t speak much English but I shook his hand and introduced myself. He is on a completely different level on the pitch as he always seems to be five or six steps ahead.”</p>

WHAT CARMICHAEL SAID ABOUT MESSI

<p>Messi <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/44-trophies-lionel-messi-all-time-record-very-good-hands-inter-miami-tata-martino-historic-leagues-cup/blt4c0a84c28d5bf241 " target="_blank">helped Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph</a> in his debut campaign and currently has them sat top of the MLS Eastern Conference. Carmichael is hoping to form part of a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/mls-watch-out-inter-miami-lionel-messi-win-everything-2024-crazy-eighth-ballon-d-or/blt8adde7fc64f6ebb3 " target="_blank">bid for more major honours</a> at some stage, adding on his future: “I've signed for a year and it depends on my performances in that time frame as the club has the option to extend it for a second year. My aim here is to play games, score goals and try and break into the first-team. Playing with Messi would obviously be a dream come true but I want to simply progress my career.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi is currently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/nothing-serious-lionel-messi-injury-hope-jordi-alba-inter-miami-not-ruling-fundamental-player-out-mls-dc-united/blt5c0bda61c004c09b" target="_blank">sidelined after picking up another minor knock</a> – which has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-ruled-out-argentina-squad-injury-update-offered-on-inter-miami-superstar/blt394963dcea9981be" target="_blank">ruled him out of international duty</a> with Argentina – and Inter Miami will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to the New York Red Bulls.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

What is it like to train with Lionel Messi? GOAT ‘five or six steps ahead’ of everyone as Inter Miami youngster Ryan Carmichael explains ‘surreal experience’ | Goal.com US

Lionel Messi is always “five or six steps ahead” of everyone, with Inter Miami starlet Ryan Carmichael revealing what training with the GOAT is like.

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