MLS
What did Tata Martino say about Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in his press conference?
The new Inter Miami head coach has previously worked with the pair at Barcelona and is in no doubt about what the veteran stars can offer.
Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino has given his first full press conference since being unveiled as the new head coach of Inter Miami.
The 60-year-old has previously managed in MLS during a two-year stint with Atlanta United, the club he led to the MLS Cup in 2018. But the situation he enters in Miami is very different and he joins a team that is low on confidence and bottom of the table.
He does, however, have the imminent arrival of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets to look forward to. Martino has previously worked with them both during his time as head coach of Barcelona.
On Thursday he told reporters that he and the two new signings are determined to make a success of their time in the states.
“When we spoke with Leo, yesterday I spoke with Sergio, we talked about arriving to have success, to compete and compete well,” Martino told reporters.
“This happens to us even on a personal level, sometimes we associate the United States, Miami, holidays... this isn’t that.
“We want to compete... they are not footballers who are going to come here to not compete.”
When will Sergio Busquets make his Inter Miami debut?
In other circumstances the arrival of World Cup winner, former Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets would have been a major event for Inter Miami. But, perhaps characteristically, Busquets’ impending arrival has been slightly in the shadow of Messi’s move.
So when will Busquets first appear for Inter Miami? The club have not officially announced a date for his unveiling but reports suggest that he will be presented to supporters, alongside Messi, at the club’s DRV PNK stadium on 16 July.
This is five days before the Leagues Cup game against Cruz Azul; the match billed as Messi’s debut for Miami. It looks like both players will be in contention to play against the Mexican side next month.