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Tata Martino Reveals Secrets of Messi’s Success in MLS

By Arthur Fernandes

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 26: Gerardo Martino Head Coach of Inter Miami watches the team play with Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami sitting on the bench in the first half of the Major League Soccer match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on August 26, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 26: Gerardo Martino Head Coach of Inter Miami watches the team play with Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami sitting on the bench in the first half of the Major League Soccer match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on August 26, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /
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Tata Martino, the coach of Inter Miami and former commander of Lionel Messi in previous teams, gave a revealing interview to The Athletic. In this candid conversation, Martino shared insights into Messi’s incredible adaptation to Major League Soccer (MLS) and the significance of his great intellectual capacity in maintaining exceptional performance.

Martino, who had the privilege of coaching Messi both at Barcelona and the Argentine national team, emphasized that reaching Messi’s level of excellence requires more than just exceptional physical skills. It demands a sharp mind and a profound understanding of the game. In his own words, “nobody reaches this level without having great intellectual capacity.”

The interview delved into Messi’s adaptation to MLS, a remarkable shift in his career after years of success in La Liga and a brief stint with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). While the American league is considered less competitive compared to his previous experiences, Martino emphasized that Messi’s motivation remains intact. He continues to pursue excellence on the soccer field, regardless of the level of competition.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball in the second half during a match between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles Football Club at BMO Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 03: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball in the second half during a match between Inter Miami CF and Los Angeles Football Club at BMO Stadium on September 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Martino also shared his prior experience in MLS with Atlanta United, where he faced the challenge of building a team virtually from scratch. The move to Inter Miami, a team with renowned players, brought a different dynamic, but Martino seems to be making the most of the opportunity to work with a stellar roster.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the interview was the analysis of Messi’s competitive mindset. The coach highlighted that Messi has not lost the desire to compete and prove that he is still the best in the soccer world. This attitude is a crucial part of his identity as a player and one of the key factors in his enduring success.

Martino also discussed the importance of Messi’s positioning on the field, emphasizing the need to allow the player the freedom to move to find the best opportunities. This strategy has been successful with the Argentine national team and appears to be the approach taken at Inter Miami.

The interview reveals Messi’s maturity and his ongoing ability to evolve over the years. As Martino noted, elite athletes like Messi share a similar mindset that drives them to constantly seek excellence.

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