‘Sink or swim’ – What it is like to be Lionel Messi’s team-mate as Inter Miami new boy Matias Rojas tries to justify role alongside ‘the best in history’

World Cup winner Messi is not the type to shout and scream at colleagues, as unrealistic demands are put in place, with the talismanic 36-year-old all about leading by example. His mere presence does, however, lump added pressure onto those around him – as they seek to avoid falling short of the required standard.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!

Stream games now

Paraguay international Rojas has taken on that challenge, with a transfer completed from Corinthians to Inter Miami. He has enough experience under his belt at 28 years of age not to wilt in the Florida sunshine and netted his first goals for the Herons – both assisted by Messi – last time out against the New York Red Bulls.

Magical Messi had six goal contributions in that MLS fixture, with Rojas telling Deporte Total USA afterwards of what it is like to work with the all-time great: “It’s a big responsibility. There are two ways to approach playing with him, you can either sink or you can swim. In my opinion, he is the best in history. You can either play with the fact he will not understand your pressure or you let it go, and he solves all that with what he does. That pass to me for my second goal was something I didn’t expect, but it makes it easier for you. You need to take advantage of that chemistry, and me and the team did just that.”

Inter Miami sit at the top of the Eastern Conference, three points clear of the chasing pack, and are hoping to see Messi maintain his current form – which has him generating MVP buzz – as they seek to secure a play-off spot in 2024 and a shot at MLS Cup glory.