Lionel Messi gave a new interview where he spoke about his “two difficult years” at Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami’s improvement with Tata Martino, and the League Cup final he will host in Tennessee against Nashville this Sunday at 10 p.m. GMT. Apple TV previewed an in-depth conversation he had with Number 10 before his first definition since landing in the United States a month ago, in which he explored the reasons behind his choice of new travel destination.
“It was a family decision to keep the family’s well-being in mind. We had two difficult years behind us; we weren’t doing well. It was difficult. It was a bit like going back to where we were when we were in Barcelona, enjoying everyday life with the kids and seeing that the family is doing well. And that I enjoy everyday sports, which didn’t happen,” he admitted, also stressing that he felt he made the right decision: “For many reasons, we decided that this would be the right place, and Although today, After a while, I think we were not wrong and that we were right when we said that this was the right place.”
As for the presence of his team, La Pulga admitted that he was surprised by the positive change since his arrival (last March in the MLS Western Conference, 17 points from the playoffs) and paid tribute to Martino and his teammates: Honestly, it was hard to believe that after our promotion to the league and recent results, we could reach the final of this very hard-fought tournament. But I saw that the team improved; it grew day by day. “Since Tata’s arrival, I think the team has made a big change. She had the personality to try and do what the coach asked, which was to play, come out from behind, and be superior in the middle of the field to find spaces,” he appreciated. “That got us excited and showed us that we would at least be up to the task of competing. Then you can win or lose, but you have to compete and fight for victory. Thank God we have to be in the final; it’s wonderful,” he concluded.
In the conference he held on Thursday, on the eve of the crucial game, the Argentina captain also shared how the first few days in South Florida went for him: “Settling into the city was very easy because we were convinced to come and get to know people.” It made everything easier. When I left Barcelona and went to Paris, it was complicated; this was completely different. “It’s a city with a lot of Latinos, and the Latinos are closer and more demonstrative, which is very important for having fun,” he said. “We are still settling in as we have only recently arrived. We don’t have a house to live in permanently during this period, but thanks to the treatment of people both at the club and outside the club, everything is very easy, both for the fans and also on the street day after day,” he said, smiling.
“I can spend the day calmly and happily. The children will be going to school soon, which helps a lot because they have to get used to it. Everything I do here is simpler. When I moved from Barcelona to Paris, it was difficult,” added Messi, who also stressed the importance of having started his season in the League Cup rather than dragging Inter Miami’s poor form into MLS: “Since that season we started competing, I knew it was an opportunity to start from scratch. A new technical director came, many players joined the squad, and we adapted very well. We had a chance to change things because we got into the league.”
Finally, when asked if he was still waiting to be awarded the Ballon d’Or, Messi dismissed the importance of winning the award for the eighth time: “The awards are very important, but I never gave them the importance, in quotes, of the most important thing.” It was always the collective prizes. I got everything in my career; the biggest prize was the world championship. I’m not thinking about UEFA or those possible prizes,” he said.
