Inter Miami star Marcelo Weigandt has shared his experience of playing alongside Lionel Messi at the club. The right-back moved to the Herons on loan from Argentine side Boca Juniors in March 2024.
After spending two months off the pitch due to an ankle injury, Lionel Messi made his comeback for Inter Miami during their MLS clash vs Philadelphia Union on September 15. The Argentine scored a brace and gave an assist in his comeback game.
In response to a question by Diario AS, Marcelo Weigandt described how he experiences something "crazy" while playing alongside Lionel Messi and other legends at Inter Miami. He said:
"Imagine, we have David Beckham outside watching the training sessions and the matches. And on the pitch we have Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Jordi, it's crazy what I get to experience. I try to enjoy it as much as possible, as I said. I'm at a great club. It makes you want to come every day."
He continued:
"We have the best in the world on our side, Suárez, Jordi and Busquets, who make everything easier. Playing alongside these beasts makes you better."
Speaking about Messi as a person, Weigandt explained:
"[Messi] is a very simple person. You see him and he does such simple things. He trains as if it were his last training session. That’s why he has achieved everything he has achieved. He taught me to be calmer in the last few metres. He makes everything simpler.”
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are currently at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference with 64 points. They will next face Charlotte FC in the MLS on September 28.
"It's just like a dream" - When co-owner David Beckham spoke about Lionel Messi's impact on Inter Miami
In the recent Let's Go Dinner event by Stella Artois held in New York, Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham spoke about having Lionel Messi at the club and his impact.
“To be able to say that we've signed the world's greatest ever player to ever play the game. Everybody's got their opinion on who they think is the best player of all time – whether it be Diego Maradona, Pele, all of these great players," Beckham said.
The former Manchester United legend considered it like a dream to be able to sign Messi for his MLS side, adding:
“To say that we have in the MLS, in Miami, the greatest player to play the game, it's just like a dream, you know? It's a dream every time that I'm there."
Beckham also mentioned that he is reluctant to miss being at Inter Miami training sessions as he's keen to watch Lionel Messi play in them. The Englishman said:
"If I go for the whole of the summer, which I went for four weeks this summer, I go into training every single day because, personally, I can't believe we've got Leo. Secondly, I just want to watch what he does. And that's a special thing for us.”
Beckham further explained that one of the main reasons why Lionel Messi moved to the United States despite rumored interest from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal and his former club Barcelona was due to his family. The Argentine wanted to be where his family could lead a great life.