Inter Miami coach opens up on how much work Lionel Messi actually does
Guillermo Hoyos, Inter Miami coach, acknowledged Lionel Messi’s work and quality, both with the Argentina national team and at his MLS club.
Lionel Messi is playing in what is expected to be the final World Cup of his career, with Argentina set to face Cape Verde in the round of 16. As the tournament progresses, those closest to the Argentine captain continue to marvel at a player who refuses to stop defying expectations.
Ahead of the knockout clash, Guillermo Hoyos reflected on Messi’s current form, insisting the Argentine No. 10 remains in outstanding physical condition and has “spoiled” football fans by making the extraordinary seem routine.
“The reality is that he has spoiled us with his performances. Today he is at a very good physical level and he was decisive in the match. What we see from him every day in training and in games, we are now enjoying on the World Cup stage, which is truly fantastic. We hope this is the beginning of many great things for the national team,” Hoyos said.
Messi, already the all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 19 goals, is chasing a second world title after captaining Argentina to their third World Cup triumph by defeating France in the previous edition of the tournament.
In addition to praising Messi, Hoyos also highlighted the competitiveness of Major League Soccer. He argued that, despite outside perceptions, the league places significant physical and tactical demands on players and features high-quality talent throughout.
“It’s a very demanding league, extremely demanding. From the outside it may not appear that way, but the physical demands are enormous. It’s a very tactical league, with great players at every club, and it is truly very difficult to compete and win matches,” Hoyos said.
Related stories
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.