Tata Martino joins Inter Miami tribute to Messi: “It’s a recognition of his career”

Inter Miami paid tribute to their captain and star player ahead of Saturday’s game against the Chicago Fire. Lionel Messi was honored out on the pitch at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale for becoming the player to have won the most trophies in soccer history. Argentina’s triumph in last week’s 2024 Copa América final brought Messi’s personal tally to 45 titles.

Messi takes Dani Alves’ titles record

The Inter Miami No.10 overtakes his former Barcelona team mate Dani Alves, who held the record (44) after winning gold with Brazil at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The one trophy that eluded Alves was the World Cup, which Messi finally added to his own honors list at Qatar 2022.

Tata Martino hails Messi for last achievement

Naturally, Messi’s achievement and Miami’s tribute was one of the first topics which head coach Tata Martino was asked about after his side’s 2-1 win against Chicago. “It seems perfectly logical to me. It doesn’t surprise me at all that the club honored Leo the way they did. Of course not to mention the issue of merits, but it was very in line with what the club has done regarding who Leo is,” he told reporters.

“It is a recognition of his career, regardless of whether Argentina has won the Copa América, and the number of titles he has obtained, which without any doubt is very impressive,” the South American strategist added. Messi and Inter Miami will be aiming to successfully defend the Leagues Cup this summer, although it is unknown if the No. 10 will be available to play the group stage.

Martino was also questioned about Messi’s injury plus losing various members of his team who have been called for this week’s MLS All-Star Game: “Regarding Leo and the rest of the footballers, we have just finished playing. My only concern was the Chicago game, and we will see how that issue continues for them.”

Messi eyeing more silverware with Inter Miami

Next up for the Herons is the 2024 Leagues Cup opener against Liga MX side Puebla at Chase Stadium on Saturday. The 2024 Leagues Cup group stage involves 45 teams competing across 15 groups of three. Miami are in East 3 along with Mexican sides Puebla and Tigres. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 32.

Martino’s men will meet Tigres on Saturday 3 August - on paper, their toughest test during the group phase. Veljko Paunovic’s team are second in the general table, level on points with leaders Cruz Azul but with an inferior goal difference.

This summer’s Leagues Cup is the first chance for Messi to add to his record trophy haul. After missing out last season, Inter Miami are on course to make it to the MLS playoffs this year. The team tops the Eastern Conference on 53 points, five points ahead of Cincinnati.