LEAGUES CUP

Josef Martínez discusses playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

Josef Martínez discussed several subjects, including Messi, Busquets and Alba ahead of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup clash with Charlotte FC.

CHANDAN KHANNAAFP

Lionel Messi has started life at Inter Miami with a bang, and one of his team-mates, Josef Martínez, has spoken about playing alongside the Argentine forward and their relationship. “We want to learn from the most successful person in the world and we are very happy to have him with us,” Martínez said.

“We all give him space, we know he is enjoying himself. We are also enjoying him and I think it has been a positive few days for everyone... the city, the team, you can see it in the results,” the Venezuelan forward added.

Relationship with Messi

“I don’t know about friendship... we are teammates. He came with the hope of winning things, we saw it in his intensity in the matches, and we are here to help.”

Jordi Alba, Josef Martinez and Lionel Messi look on during a training session at Florida Blue Training Center on August 10, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.MEGAN BRIGGSAFP

Penalty in the match against Orlando City

“When it was a penalty, he told me to take it, that was all. Many things are said out there, it was not like that. It is what it is, thank God we got the victory, which was the important thing.”

Tata Martino

In the mixed zone before the quarter-final match against Charlotte FC on Friday, Martínez also discussed Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino, with whom he previously worked under at Atlanta United. “I’ve known the coach for many years and I know how he wants to work. I know the ambition he has to achieve big things”.

Busquets and Alba

“They gave a new energy to the team. We hope to continue on the same path [with them],” he concluded.

Miami looking for place in last four

The winner of Inter Miami and Charlotte FC on Friday, August 11 will face the winner of Philadelphia and Querétaro in the Leagues Cup semi-finals.

Possible Inter Miami XI vs Charlotte FC

Drake Callender; DeAndre Yedlin, Sergil Kryvtsov, Kamal Miller, Jordi Alba; Dixon Arroyo, Sergio Busquets, Benjamin Cremaschi; Robert Taylor, Lionel Messi (C), Josef Martínez.

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