Midfielder Julian Gressel has revealed the demands placed on him and his Inter Miami team-mates by Lionel Messi.
Miami exited the 2024 MLS play-offs in the first round, a major shock given the squad they have and the fact they amassed a single-season points record on their way to clinching the Supporters’ Shield.
It all fell apart against Atlanta United, however, with Messi and Co going down in three games.
And Gressel admitted Messi, as well as his former Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, would be upset if the team tied a game, rather than winning it, even during the regular season.
A tie is not enough
He told the Major League Journeymen podcast: “It’s demanding [in the locker room with Messi]. You’re talking about the player with the most wins in the history of the game.
”They’re coming in and they’re expecting the same, and you as a teammate, you kind of have to get accustomed to that and get used to that with Messi, [Luis] Suárez, [Sergio] Busquets and [Jordi] Alba.
“It’s unacceptable to tie a game, as simple as that. We tied a game earlier in the year and I remember him being really really upset in the locker room, he’s like, ‘We shouldn’t tie, we can’t tie.’”
‘You notice they’re not content’
Gressel said it was obvious when the team’s stars were not happy.
He added: “When it comes to the game or when it comes to being serious, it’s being serious and it’s time.
“If you’re not doing your part, you’re getting it, like, you’re hearing it. You notice they’re not content. [Messi has] addressed other guys directly, he’s more quiet, but you have guys like Luis, who’s a little bit more emotional. He’s more outgoing in a sense, emotionally outgoing like that, so you hear more from him.
“Messi will certainly come up to you and will talk to you more so rather than be in your face about things. So we definitely kind of see that demand.”
A state of disbelief
The Atlanta defeat was coach Tata Martino’s final game in charge after announcing his resignation and Gressel said there was a state of disbelief after their season ended so suddenly.
He said: “After the loss, the guys were distraught in the locker room. You have everybody kind of staring into nothing.
“You just sit in the quiet and kind of in disbelief, but also very hesitant too, like, ‘Whoa, like, what just happened.'”
