Inter Miami must be patient with Lionel Messi, warns coach Tata Martino, ahead of club debut
Tata Martino has warned Inter Miami fans that they must be patient with Lionel Messi as the Argentine star will need some time to get 'physically ready' before making his debut for the club, supposedly later this month.
Martino, who knows Messi well from his time as manager of FC Barcelona (2013-14) and Argentina (2014-16), oversaw his first game as Inter Miami's new head coach on Saturday night — a 3-0 loss at St. Louis City SC - and is eager to integrate Messi — a seven-time Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Cup (2022) winner - into the Herons' starting lineup.
'First of all, we're happy the signing of the contract was made official today and tomorrow he has his presentation,' said Martino, referencing to Sunday's 'Bienvenido Messi' special (8:30 pm ET | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass).
'We would've liked to have been able to gift him a win for that presentation, and we haven't been able to do it.
'Then, looking to the future, with the excitement that comes with having the best player in the world playing for your team,' Martino added after the MLS' Matchday 26. 'But also with the patience we need to have to make him physically ready so he can play at the right moment.'
Messi, who was pictured shopping at grocery store Publix after his landing in the US earlier this week, is eyeing to don Inter Miami's pink jersey for the first time against La Liga MX's Cruz Azul on July 21 -- a 2023 Leagues Cup match that will be played at Inter Miami's DRV PNK Stadium (pronounced ''Drive Pink'').
The Herons will resume MLS action on Saturday, August 20, when hosting Charlotte FC at home, earmarked as Messi's league debut.
Three days later, Messi and his teammates, which now include Sergio Busquets, will travel to Ohio to face FC Cincinnati in the US
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