Saturday may go down as the most important day in Inter Miami CF’s history. Of course, it was the day that Lionel Messi officially signed with the club. But, it was also the day the team authored a 3-0 loss to St. Louis SC, another deflating shutout in a season full of them.
So, as the elation of the Messi signing set in for fans across South Florida, the loss just showed how far Inter Miami is going to have to travel in its journey from MLS laughingstocks to serious contenders.
Inter Miami begins this week dead-last in the MLS standings with only 18 total points. They are well out of reach for a playoff spot and time is ticking. In order for success in the world of soccer to be bestowed upon the club, its best player needs to be at his best … as soon as possible.
“I’m very excited to start this next step in my career with Inter Miami and in the United States,” said Messi over the weekend. “This is a fantastic opportunity, and together, we will continue to build this beautiful project. The idea is to work together to achieve the objectives we set, and I’m very eager to start helping here in my new home.”
For how great Messi is, it’s impossible to win on his own. A pair of individuals crucial to Inter Miami’s success are now with Messi in Miami, and together, they can get to the business of turning this all around.
The first addition was coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who joined the club last month but debuted on the sidelines last week. Martino was the former manager for the Argentina National Team and FC Barcelona, two systems Messi is very familiar with as he played for both. For Messi, this familiarity and chemistry with coach Martino suggest a smooth translation to take place on the pitch for Inter Miami.
“We would have loved to have given him a win today, on his announcement day,” said Martino on Saturday, after the 3-0 loss and a day before Messi’s magical “Unveiling” at DRV PNK Stadium. “But, also, now, we are looking ahead with a lot of excitement that comes with having the best player in the world on our team. But we also need to have patience to make sure he can get ready for the upcoming games.”
The last sentence of Martino’s quote alludes to having patience in assuring the team’s best player is healthy and available to play. Inter Miami fans may not be too pleased with having to be patient to see Messi play, but it could be the smartest move.
Martino is not the only individual who is helping out with Inter Miami’s big-picture goals. On Sunday, hours before the “Unveiling,” the club announced that Sergio Busquets is reuniting with Messi, his former Barcelona teammate of 15 years. Much like Messi, Busquets sounds bought into the goals Inter Miami has set.
“This is a special and exciting opportunity that I’m very excited to take. I’m looking forward to this next step in my career with Inter Miami,” Busquets said. “I was impressed by the club when I came with Barcelona last year, and now I’m happy and ready to represent the club myself. I can’t wait to help bring the success that this ambitious club strives for.”
Former MLS superstar, and minority owner of Inter Miami, David Beckham, also chimed in on the addition of Busquets, calling him “one of the most complete midfield players of his generation.”
“I am so proud for Sergio and his family to represent our club and our colors, and reunite his partnership with Leo Messi,” he added.
On the pitch, both sides of the ball have been accounted for. With the additions of Messi and Busquets, offense and defense have anchors that can not only go toe to toe with the best players MLS has to offer, but both can be a great source of knowledge and leadership in a locker room full of younger players.
Given their chemistry and experience, it is an undeniable combination of success brewing at Inter Miami. Inter Miami chief soccer officer and sporting director Chris Henderson can not only envision that, but he also believes Busquets completes that.
“We’re very happy to bring somebody of Sergio’s pedigree to Inter Miami. He is one of the smartest players to ever play the sport. He reads the game at an unprecedented level and impacts every facet of play,” Henderson said. “Sergio is a winner, a leader and a world-class talent, and we’re excited to see him represent our franchise.”
Beckham concurs, and it’s all in line with a dream and a vision that he set forth years ago, when the concept of Inter Miami was birthed before its eventual launch in 2018. That dream is now a reality.
“10 years ago, I started my journey to build a new MLS team,” Beckham said Sunday. “I dreamt of bringing the best players in the world to South Florida and to the great city of Miami. Players who shared our ambition to grow soccer in this country. We are so happy that you are all here to celebrate this incredible moment. So please forgive me for feeling a little bit emotional.”
When MLS play resumes next month, Inter Miami will have 12 games to cobble together a legitimate playoff run. Six of them will be at home in front of frenzied crowds, eager to see Messi and Busquets. And even in the road matches, there will be an atmosphere the likes of which Inter Miami has yet to play in.
That journey starts Aug. 20 against Charlotte FC. But regardless of the outcome this season, Inter Miami won. Even if a club is in the last place of the league and it manages to obtain, arguably, the greatest player to ever play the sport, you have increased your long-term chances of winning ten-fold.
It will truly be a sight to see when Messi is on the field representing Inter Miami and competing to be where he is used to being his entire career: The top.
