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By Martin Graham | 25th Jul 2023
Lionel Messi has become the new captain of Inter Miami after one appearance for the MLS franchise.
The Argentina football legend played his first game for the club last weekend in the reimagined MLS Leagues Cup, coming on in the second half against Cruz Azul. Former Newcastle United defender DeAndre Yedlin handed him the armband upon his introduction, and wearing it, he led the team to victory.
Messi curled in a beautiful free kick in the closing stages of the game to win the tie 2 – 1 for his new team while the world watched on. As a result, he was handed the role permanently for what seems to be the duration of his stay at the club.
Messi has also bonded with a number of his new teammates as the clips released by the club and the MLS on their social media portray. Inter Miami forward Robert Taylor spoke about the Messi effect on the team in just a matter of weeks since his announcement and his official debut.
“It’s amazing. It’s great, of course. I’m excited,” Taylor told the Independent. “He’s just come in and brought a lot of energy to the team. His play means he makes the right decisions all of the time in training and in the games, which is why it’s so good. It’s a great feeling. The way to win it as well. To witness that free-kick and the quality he brings to the team, it’s unbelievable.”
He has earned the respect and admiration of his new teammates and now, has been handed the responsibility of being the team captain. This was confirmed by head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino on Monday in a press conference ahead of Inter Miami’s second group game of the MLS Leagues Cup against Atlanta United on Wednesday.
Messi’s new role also sees Brazilian midfielder Gregore stripped of the captaincy. The midfielder is currently recuperating from a surgery which he underwent to repair a foot injury he suffered last September.
Messi returns to wearing the captain armband at a club after being under the leadership of Marquinhos, Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain for two years.
After their Leagues Cup games, Messi will hope to inspire change in his new team’s fortunes in the MLS regular season as they face Charlotte FC. Then he will have the opportunity to go closer to his first trophy with the club as they take on FC Cincinnati in the US Open Cup semifinal.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
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