Lionel Messi credited with turning Inter Miami into the 'Real Madrid of MLS' as Josef Martinez lifts lid on poor standards at the club before Barcelona legend's arrival

Venezuelan frontman Martinez was already in South Florida when eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi arrived in the summer of 2023. He made an immediate impact with the Herons, as Leagues Cup success was savoured within weeks of his arrival.

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The most decorated player of all-time has brought several familiar faces along with him - including Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets - helping to make the Herons more competitive while attracting greater interest from a global audience.

Martinez has told the La Vinotinto podcast: “When I joined Inter Miami, it was El Combate [The Combat] FC. When it became official (Messi’s signing), it went from being the worst team in MLS to the Real Madrid of MLS.

“Before Messi’s first training session, not even people on Instagram knew us, not even the club’s own journalists came. That was the first time I met my godfather, and people who didn’t even know I existed were writing to me. Outside, there were 1,000 journalists - when before, we had seen maybe one. And there were 50,000 people at the first training session. It changed overnight.”

Martinez added on Messi: “He had already won everything, and yet he was there and was the first to arrive. He might be the most disciplined, but with us - or at least with me - he was great. That made you feel like you had to match his level. Before, there were players who couldn’t even complete a pass.

“[Robert] Taylor couldn’t score on God himself. Messi arrived, and he became the team’s top scorer. Everyone’s level rose. From being a team nobody watched, to being the biggest spotlight in the league - you couldn’t afford to fail.”

Messi has attracted A-list guests to Inter Miami games, while selling out stadiums across North America, with Martinez going on to say: “The day that impressed me the most was the debut, when Busquets, Messi, and I came in - that famous free-kick goal.

“Derek Jeter was there, Serena Williams, even LeBron James. If those people go to see that guy [Messi], just imagine how great he is. Even my mom didn’t want to go to games before, and at that point, everyone wanted to go.”

Messi helped Inter Miami to make more history last season as they secured the Supporters’ Shield with a record-breaking points haul. He is back in the hunt for major silverware in 2025, with a 12-month extension option in his contract expected to be triggered at some stage.