New Lien Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino confirms that he and his upcoming signings Lionel Messi And Sergio Busquets not to South Beach and MLS for the holidays.”
Martino was announced as Miami’s new boss on Wednesday, where he prepares for a reunion with Messi and Busquets, whom he once coached at Barcelona.
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“When we spoke with Leo, yesterday I spoke with Sergio, we talked about coming in to be successful, to be competitive and to play well,” Martino said in Thursday’s introductory press conference.
“This happens to us even on an individual level, sometimes we think of the USA, Miami, the holidays — this is not that. We want to compete… them. It’s not that footballers come here to not play.”
In the first day of this month, Messi announces decision to join Miamithen the news last week that the midfielder Busquets will also join the MLS . club. Martino coached both players during his coaching spell at Barcelona from 2013 to 2014, as did Messi at international level with Argentina from 2014 to ’16.
However, Martino, who returned to the MLS after leading Atlanta United in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, said discussions with Miami had begun ahead of deals for both players.
“I started the conversation before [the additions of Messi and Busquets]”,” said the Argentinian. “I’ve always found this opportunity appealing…let’s just say the gifts will come next.”
With the arrival of global superstars and 2022 World Cup MLS champion Martino said Messi, 36, can help further inspire the growth of football in the United States.
“I’ve read that NFL and NBA players are talking about this situation, which seems very rare,” he said. “I believe that MLS has a constant development and the examples are great football players from the United States playing in Europe and in very good teams in Europe. There has been a process of getting started.
“[And] The best player in the world decides to play in this tournament, it will obviously open up an even better picture for that development. I believe the United States is not a country that misses out on this opportunity.”
At the MLS level, Martino and his new players will need to help revive a team that is bottom of the table in the Eastern League and is on a seven-game losing streak. Miami has 16 games left in the regular season and needs to rise from 15th in the rankings to a top 9 spot to qualify for the 2023 MLS Cup knockout stages.
Chris Henderson, Miami’s director of football and sporting director, said on Thursday that it is working on a visa for Martino, who could be ready to work in the “next five, six days.”
Regarding Messi’s debut, Henderson added that it could take at least a few weeks. Miami managing owner Jorge Mas revealed last week that they are expecting Messi to play his first match against Cruz Azul of Liga MX in a Leagues Cup match on July 21.
“For Leo, terms have been agreed, but we are working on the paperwork with Major League Soccer, so it will take time to complete, but we hope that the time will come. mid-late July so he’s ready to go,” said Henderson.
Martino has replaced England coach Phil Neville, who was sacked by Miami earlier this month after leading the team from 2021.
Before leading Miami, Martino coached the Mexican national team from 2019 to the end of the 2022 World Cup. After a disappointing start to the group stage in Qatar, Martino left his role at the end of his contract.
