Why Tata Martino would still sign up for Lionel Messi project with his ‘eyes closed’ despite seeing Inter Miami end 2023 campaign with seven-game winless run

The Florida-based outfit stumbled over the finishing line in 2023, with a disappointing run of results leading to them missing out on a place in the play-offs. The curtain came down on their campaign when suffering a 1-0 loss away at Charlotte FC.

Messi figured in that contest, but had been forced to sit out a number of important games through injury. His absence contributed to Inter Miami finishing outside of the Eastern Conference’s top nine, but he did inspire them to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in the United States.

Inter Miami also reached the final of the U.S. Open Cup and Martino remains optimistic when it comes to 2024, with the Argentine coach telling reporters when reflecting on the opening months of his reign at DRV PNK Stadium: “We suffered a decline at the end of the season due to exhaustion from the number of matches we had to play, which is not an excuse, but the reality. We had many competitions, a change of coach and roster changes in the middle of those competitions, and it was difficult to maintain the same form over four months. But if someone had told me before I signed here that we would win one of the three trophies, I would have signed with my eyes closed.”

Inter Miami went 12 games unbeaten after acquiring Messi as a free agent, as they landed the first trophy in the club’s brief history, but are now having to turn collective focus towards next season as they endeavour to force their way into contention for MLS Cup honours.