Coach Martino spent a season as the head coach at the Nou Camp in 2013-14, but he had a difficult time after reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and missing out on the La Liga title to Atletico Madrid on the final day of the season.
With only one Spanish Super Cup to his name, Martino left his role in the following summer to join Argentina as their head coach. Despite his wealth of experience, Martino struggled to deal with the global superstars in the squad, including Messi, who had a significant influence on the Catalan giants.
When asked about what he taught Messi during their time together, Martino confessed to Argentine newspaper Clarin and surprised readers with the revelation: “Nothing at all. I didn’t teach Messi or Barca. In fact, I made no mark at Barcelona. I went to a team that always wins. All I learned here was to be surrounded by stars, the best in the world.”
Coach Martino has taken over the team in the American Professional League (MLS), after young colleague Phil Neville was fired. Meanwhile, Messi has joined Inter Miami as a free agent after his contract at PSG expired. Along with him, Busquets will also join the team from Barcelona.
Regarding the presence of these two players, Martino said, “When the greatest player in the world decides to play in this tournament, it will obviously open up a spectacle of further development. I have talked with Leo and Sergio. We talked about coming here to do new things, to compete for all the titles. I am very fortunate to work in a competitive environment, alongside world champions, La Liga champions, Ligue 1 champions, etc. The quality of champions is in their blood. I think Messi is expected to extend the record even more.”
Before that, Lionel Messi played 46 games under Martino’s management while together at Barcelona. The Argentina captain scored 41 goals and assisted 15 times during that time. Whether he can replicate such great form for Inter Miami remains to be seen.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami has sent the sports world into a frenzy, with tennis player Juan Martin del Potro no exception. The third-placed player on the ATP rankings plans to welcome the seven-time Golden Ball winner as his neighbor.
Del Potro, who is Argentine, has an apartment in Miami. While Messi tries to fit in with his new club, Del Potro plans to have Messi as his neighbor. He told El Grafico, “I’m going to have Lionel Messi as my neighbor. It’s great that he’s going to play in Miami. But above all that’s what Messi said: put family first and separate yourself from the pressure a little bit.”
Del Potro added, “Messi has won the World Cup, won the Copa America, with many years of pressure, many emotions accumulated. Having won the World Cup has put Messi in a position where there is a lot of pressure. He can enjoy his career more. It’s time for people to let him play real football.”
Messi’s arrival is expected to bring a new level of excitement to MLS. However, the Argentina captain will have to work hard as his new club is bottom of the MLS Eastern standings. Messi’s reunion with his old coach Martino promises to impress on the pitch.