Inter Miami star claims Lionel Messi demanded higher standards from club; reveals he was 'really upset' when the team drew games

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami teammate, Julian Gressel, has stated that the Argentine legend demanded higher standards from the club and his teammates. Messi guided the team to glory this season, helping them win the Supporters' Shield and record the highest-ever points tally in the league phase of the MLS.

Messi has been phenomenal since joining the American franchise in 2023. In 39 games, he has scored 34 goals and provided 18 assists, becoming the Miami-based outfit's highest all-time goalscorer.

Speaking on the Major League Journeymen podcast, Gressel talked about how the World Cup winner's arrival changed the changing room. He said (via abcnews.com):

"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.'"

Lionel Messi has played 19 games with Gressel at Inter Miami, and while the pair did not combine for a goal, they averaged 2.05 points per game in their 1218 minutes on the pitch together.

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Lionel Messi's impact on Inter Miami

Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 after his contract with French giants Paris Saint-Germain expired. The Argentine superstar is widely considered one of the greatest players in the sport's history, and his arrival in the MLS brought global attention to the division.

Following his arrival in the MLS, Messi immediately set to work changing the fortunes of the Miami-based club. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner helped The Herons win their first piece of silverware, the Leagues Cup, and followed it up with the Supporters' Shield in his first full campaign.

After winning the MLS Supporters' Shield, Inter Miami gained an invite to the expanded Club World Cup tournament set to be held in the United States of America. The prolific Argentine will remain contracted to the club for at least one more season in the MLS.