MLS
‘Messi Meets America’: Interview with Executive Producer Scott Boggins
Ahead of the show’s release we caught up with one of the architects of the Apple TV docuseries covering Lionel Messi’s sensational move to Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi’s first months with Inter Miami are the subject of a new Apple TV docuseries detailing the Argentine World Cup winner’s move to MLS.
The first half of the six-part series ‘Messi Meets America’ will be available to view from Wednesday 11 October, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes perspective of Messi’s incredible start to life in Miami. Considered by many to be the greatest soccer player of all time, Messi’s instant impact on the team’s fortunes surprised even the most optimistic of Inter Miami supporters and sparked a wave of ‘Messi-mania’ across the United States.
Ahead of the series’ release we spoke to Executive Producer Scott Boggins about the origins of ‘Messi Meets America’, the dynamics in the Inter Miami locker room and the behind-the-scenes access that he and his team got to Lionel Messi.
Here’s what Scott had to say...
Messi Meets America! What made this story an important one to tell?
“The story is of a transformative moment for this country. We heard that a lot this summer, but what exactly does that mean? We had incredible partners in MLS and Inter Miami and they provided us with the opportunity to take our cameras and embed ourselves [in the club] to better understand.
“We first arrived in July and it was a slow process because, as you can imagine, it was a seismic shift for this club. They had gone through a coaching transition, landed the greatest player to ever play the game, and another two players who are absolutely incredible.
“We knew going in that we were there for the long haul and we really wanted to show the bonds between the younger players and Lionel Messi, we wanted to see how that would manifest itself on the pitch. And fortunately our cameras were there to capture an absolutely extraordinary run that no one expected. When you see an organisation going on a run like that, you just hold on!”
Were you able to spend time with Messi and the team day-to-day?
“We were on the training pitch and were able to be around the training facility. We spent time with players at home, outside of work. We were able to learn a bit about their personal lives, and we were able to do that with Lionel Messi and his family.
“It was an all-access view to this transformative moment, not only for Inter Miami but also for soccer in America.”
Was there anything that really surprised you in those first weeks and months?
“They had only been playing together for weeks so we thought they can’t possible gel that quickly, they aren’t used to each other.
“But what was really surprising was that one of the young players told us ‘I’ve been watching Lionel Messi all my life, I’ve watched as much video as I could possibly watch, so I know where he wants the ball.’ They had watched and studied him, so when they got the opportunity to play with him they instinctively knew what to do.
“That was a surprise to us. You think it takes time to gel, but they already knew what to do. That was really remarkable.”
The city of Miami is a key element of ‘Messi Meets America’, was it important to tell that part of the story?
“Miami is a gateway city and what’s been happening in Miami has been happening for a long time. As storytellers we wanted to understand what it meant for fans in Miami, for everyday people in Miami.
“But we also got the opportunity to go on the road with the team and what was happening in Miami was also happening in Philadelphia, Dallas, Nashville… We were spending time with everyday folk in Dallas to better understand what he meant to them. That was a big part of the story.
“It’s a story about the game. The passion for the game runs incredibly deep, but for them Messi is more than just a player. For us, as story-tellers, it was important to tell that side of it.”
Did you get the chance to spend time with Lionel Messi while you were on the road?
“We did, we were able to spend time with him off the pitch. It’s been an honour and privilege to spend time with him and his family, as you’ll see in the series, so you really get a better sense of the man.
“You’ve heard that he’s a very humble family man and from our experience that’s true. Later in the series there’s some really precious scenes.”
What was the reception like when Messi and Miami played games on the road?
“You see this anywhere in the world, folks in the city will always rally around their team. That’s the game. We saw that in Philadelphia, in Dallas. But they understood that the greatest of all time was coming to their town. They never thought that they would be able to go to a game and see their team play against Messi. So there’s a little soft spot for him, because they realise how good he is.
“In cities like Philadelphia they are very partisan, very passionate about their team. But they understood that this is Lionel Messi, that this is something special to behold.”
Were there any unexpected characters that you came across during this process?
“We really wanted to see the dynamic between Lionel Messi and younger players. He’s a mentor of sorts, and we wanted to see how that manifests itself over the season. You could just see on the pitch how well they performed.
“That was a really amazing moment for us to capture. You see those 18-year-olds, straight out of the academy, getting the opportunity to play with and learn from their idol, to elevate their game.”
The title of the documentary is ‘Messi Meets America’, but is it also an opportunity for America to get to know Messi?
“The series is an opportunity for the viewers on Apple TV+ to get a deeper understanding and a greater appreciation for the game and for Lionel Messi. It has been the biggest sports story of the summer and even if you weren’t a fan you heard that something was happening in Miami, you heard of this guy Messi.
“Everybody wanted to better understand what this was all about and ‘Messi Meets America’ is an opportunity for fans and non-fans alike to experience what’s been going on in Miami and across the country this summer.”