Inter Miami manager Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino admits Lionel Messi has helped turn his team into a ‘lethal’ outfit.
Messi once again stole the show in Miami’s Leagues Cup victory over FC Dallas, netting two goals and creating an own goal which ultimately dragged his team to a draw inside regular time, with Martino’s side going on to win 5-3 on penalties.
The change in Miami’s recent fortunes has not been lost on Martino, who admitted having perhaps the greatest player in history in his ranks does have its advantages.
“We have the best player in the world. That can’t be ignored. When we have our moments, the team is lethal,” Martino acknowledged.
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Asked where Miami would be without Messi, Martino insisted such questions are largely a waste of time.
“This question always gets asked in the places where he is,” Martino continued. “Someone can bet on what Barcelona would’ve looked like without Messi, what the Argentina national team would look like without Messi or anywhere he’s been.
“Fortunately, we have him, and today he once again showed he’s a tremendously important player.
“The majority of times there’s a free kick in this area, and I think only with him do you get the feeling that it’s going to be a goal. A free kick usually is something where you think it won’t be a goal 90% of the time, but when he has it, it’s the opposite. You think it won’t be a goal 10% of the time, but the rest it will be.”
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