‘Have to be perfect’ – What Lionel Messi brings to Inter Miami training as MLS team-mates ‘can’t make any mistakes’

Argentine superstar Messi made his way to Florida in the summer of 2023, with a stunning deal that was put in place by David Beckham and Co allowing the eight-time Ballon d’Or to chase the American dream. He has savoured Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Shield successes during his time in the United States.

MLS Cup glory has remained elusive, but the intention is to right that wrong in 2025. Messi will be demanding nothing but the best of himself, with those working alongside him at Chase Stadium expected to tow a similar line as inspiration is taken from one of the very best to ever play the game.

Afonso has told Nosso Palestra of working with Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba on a daily basis: “I never dreamed of playing with these sort of players. At most, I thought I would meet them as opponents, but never to be playing in the same team as them. I think the biggest impact they’ve had on the team is that you now have to be perfect, you can’t make any mistakes. Even at their age, they still expect the best from everyone, so they have definitely raised the team’s standards.”

Several prominent figures inside the Inter Miami camp have spoken about what it is like to work with Messi, with Leonardo Campana previously telling AS: “Everyone wants to know what he’s like as a person. Since you have him around so much on a daily basis and you see him all the time, you end up assimilating the reality. He’s an incredible person, very calm, very humble. He brings out the best in each player and obviously I would love to be out there on the same pitch as him for as long as I can.

“I have a memory from one of the first training sessions. He finished off an amazing move in training, scores a great goal and we all just stood up and started applauding. That’s what a player like him does to you, you don’t see it anywhere else. He scores great goals every day. People just see this here and say: ‘Wow! You can’t do anything else but marvel at him.’”

That skill set allowed Messi to claim MVP honours in 2024, as he was recognised as the standout performer in MLS. At 37 years of age, he still has 12 months left to run on his contract – with that deal including the option for an extension through 2026 and the next World Cup finals.