Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets ‘are not coming to Miami for a vacation’ says Tata Martino

Tata Martino has sent a warning to the rest of Major League Soccer over the incoming arrivals of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

‘I spoke to Leo and yesterday spoke to Sergio,’ Martino said at his first press conference since becoming Miami coach. 

‘Sometimes people hear Miami they think holidays. But these two players are not coming here for a vacation, they are here to work and compete and win. That is in their blood.’

Martino added that he was in talks to become Miami coach before the team confirmed the signings of the Barcelona legends and that he wants to make the playoffs this season, despite the team already being 11 points adrift.

‘For 2023 there are nice challenges,’ Martino, a former Atlanta United coach, said. ‘One is to see if we can reach playoff positions, something that seems distant, but while we have possibilities we will look for them. 

‘The Cup has us in a privileged position, too, and the new tournament starts in a few weeks and we are excited about it”

‘Then, we have a great challenge, which is to assemble our definitive team between now and the start of the 2024 season. That moment is the one we will have to use to assemble the team that represents Inter Miami.

‘I really liked the league and what I experienced in Atlanta, I stayed with that moment and with the dream of being able to replicate it elsewhere.’

As for Messi, he added: ‘That the best in the world decides to play in this league will help the growth. It is already growing, but the presence of Messi playing here in this league will surely make MLS better.’

Miami are currently enduring a dreadful run of form, sitting last in the Eastern Conference and have lost the last seven straight MLS games. 

Sporting director Chris Henderson was sat alongside Martino at Thursday’s press conference and said he hopes Martino’s visa paperwork is cleared in the next five-to-six days for him to start work with the team. 

Miami are in action next on July 1 at home to Austin in a must-win game.