Cristian Espinoza warns focus on Messi could harm Inter Miami’s title chances
San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristián Espinoza recalled meeting the Inter Miami star for the first time as a teenager on international duty with Argentina.
A couple of years ago, during the run-up to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Cristián Espinoza told AS USA Latino that having Messi did not guarantee that Argentina would be crowned champions. Two years on, Messi was lured to MLS after having finally lifted the trophy that Argentine fans dreamed of.
Speaking to AS USA Latino this week, Espinoza discussed the start of the San Jose Earthquakes season. He and also took the opportunity to relive the great moment of watching the Albiceleste lifting the world Cup and what it meant to him as an Argentinean.
“For me, as an Argentinean, it was one of the greatest joys to be able to see Messi lifting the World Cup. It was the only thing he needed to crown himself as the best player of all time in front of millions of people. For me and a lot of other people, his status was never in any doubt - it was already undisputed. The World Cup put him in a place where it could never be erased. Having Messi in Major League Soccer is spectacular. His arrival brings both him and MLS a lot of exposure worldwide,” Espinoza told AS USA Latino.
While he never got to play along Messi as a team mate, Espinoza will never forget the magical moment when he met the former Barcelona player face to face. And better still, he also had the opportunity to train with him. “When I was just 17 years old, I was called up by Argentina. The younger players were like sparring partner for the senior side. Some time later in Spain, I had the opportunity to face him” the player said, referring to his time at Villarreal.
Espinoza made 11 appearances with the Under-20s but never made it to the senior side, meaning he missed the opportunity to reunite on the field with Messi. But nevertheless, he still dreams of one day facing Messi again - perhaps is San Jose cross paths with Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final or Leagues Cup.
More pressure on Inter Miami
In many ways, having Messi, on of the best players on the planet on your side is always going to be an advantage for any team. Inter Miami have seen the benefits already - with the Argentinean, the franchise lifted the Leagues Cup last summer. But Cristian warns that having Messi in the ranks can also be a double-edged sword.
“I’ve often thought that the constant focus on Messi can be good but there is also a flip side. Miami enjoyed a dream campaign in the Leagues Cup, but we have to see how it works for them or not in a longer tournament over many games like Major League Soccer. This season is going to be a great challenge for them, as it will be for us too. It’s a great motivation for us to compete equally against a team that has brought in great signings. In the end, it’s 11 against 11 and it doesn’t matter what big name players the other teams have,” he explained.
San Jose Earthquakes got the new campaign off to a disappointing start, losing their opening game to Dallas 2-1 with Dante Sealy scoring a stoppage-time winner. However, Espinoza insists that the result is Espinoza is not a parameter for what lies ahead this year for the club, and that is why he is feeling confident they can turn things around this Saturday when they are at home to LA Galaxy.
“Obviously, I believe that a Clásico is a separate game in which you win or lose and if you win you have to continue working in the same way as if you lose. Every weekend is going to be a different challenge,” he concluded. San Jose are currently 12th in the Western Conference, four places behind LA Galaxy after one round of fixtures.