- By Himanshu Badola
- Mon, 24 Jul 2023 11:47 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Lionel Messi will be the new captain of Major League Soccer (MLS) club Inter Miami, coach Tata Martino confirmed on Monday. The club's previous captain was Brazilian midfielder Gregore, who continues to be on the sidelines due to a foot injury.
Asked if Messi would continue to captain Miami, Martino told reporters: "The other day he was (captain) too when he entered. Yes, he will be."
Messi will be taking over the leadership role from the next match where he is expected to make his first start for the club.
The Argentine was seen wearing the captain's armband in his most awaited debut for the club as he came out off the bench to score a brilliant last-minute free-kick to give Miami a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup.
He came in the 54th minute, replacing midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi as the moment was witnessed with a roar from the sold-out crowd at DRV PNK Stadium, marking the beginning of the Messi era in Major League Soccer.
His arrival has brought sensational attention and star power to MLS, with celebrities like LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, and Serena Williams among the spectators at the stadium.
Messi regularly wore the captain's armband at Barcelona, although he was never officially made skipper at Paris Saint-Germain.
He is the captain of Argentina and of course, led his team to the World Cup title in Qatar. He is undoubtedly the highest-profile player to play for Inter Miami, so making him captain is little surprise.
Inter Miami close out the two-game group stage on Tuesday when they host Atlanta United with hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup, which is a World Cup-style tournament featuring all teams from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Martino also confirmed that both Messi and fellow new signing Sergio Busquets would be given more minutes in that clash.
