INTER MIAMI
Kamal Miller praises elite instinct of Messi, Busquets and Alba
The Inter Miami defender said that the ex-Barcelona trio play like they’ve been together “every day of their lives.”
Canadian defender Kamal Miller only joined Inter Miami in April 2023 but he has already had a rollercoaster ride with his new team.
After just a few months with the MLS strugglers, Miller was joined in the locker room by Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Predictably, Miami’s fortunes soon improved.
The ex-Barcelona trio made their first MLS appearances on Sunday in a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. Speaking after the game, Miller highlighted the incredible on-field connection that Messi, Busquets and Alba share.
“It’s like instinct for them now, they don’t even have to think about where each other are going to be,” he explained. “They know exactly where each other want the ball.”
“As a team we’re picking up on it as well and we’re starting to be able to find Leo in the pockets where he wants the ball.”
Miller continued: “It’s like they’ve been practicing it every day of their lives, so it’s pretty special to watch.”
Messi is “only man in the world” who gets such support
Since the arrival of Messi, every Inter Miami game has been a sell-out. He has been a massive draw everywhere that he’s been in the opening month with the team, but the reception in New York was beyond the normal for Messi.
Tickets for the game were being sold for more than $20,000 and the streets around the Red Bull arena were packed with Messi fans hours before kick-off.
“It’s pretty surreal to see. He’s probably the only man in the world who would get that sort of respect, that sort of reception,” Miller explained.
“From my perspective, [New York] has been the city that has respected his presence the most. There are people outside the hotel, on our arrival to the stadium, probably thousands out there waiting for him.”
Not only did the fans turn out for Messi, they were chanting for him in the opening stages. Messi began the game in New York on the bench and elements of the home support were heard chanting ‘We want Messi’ from the stands.
“It’s pretty amazing, when he got in the game the reception was amazing. He deserves it,” Miller said.