Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba - two players who joined Inter Miami during the summer transfer window - have hit the ground running for their new club. The pair scored in the Herons' 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union, claiming their stake in head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's first team lineups.
Before the 2023 summer transfer window, there were a few whispers about Messi leaving the French capital and super-club Paris Saint-Germain to join Miami on a free transfer. But Messi alone would've had an even bigger challenge at task in changing the Herons' fortunes. Sporting director Chris Henderson ensured he would not be unaccompanied.
Alongside Messi, fellow former Barcelona legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also made the switch to MLS to link up with the 36-year-old and improve the quality of Inter Miami altogether. Tata Martino now credits the new signigns for making an impact on the entire squad.
"Leo [Messi], Josef [Martinez], normally they participate [in the goals]," Martino said in a postgame press conference. "There’s progress, because Benja [Benjamin Cremaschi] recently scored; today it was David [Ruiz] coming from behind for the goal, Jordi as a defender scores a goal. And that I think is important for any team."
The sudden addition of several world-class players as well as talented, up-and-coming prospects has put Martino in a tough spot when it comes to team selection. It must be frustrating having to leave out several talented players from the starting lineup, but at the same time they also provide depth and a spark from the bench.
"It’s true that the team is changed, but it’s also true that the roster has changed. Today we have a much more competitive roster that creates problems for the coach when it comes time to choose the team," Martino said.
While Miami's strongest starting lineup has been used for the past couple of games, once Aviles, Gomez, and Farias are properly integrated, Martino may have a different preferred first 11 or he'll view it as an opportunity to rest key players.
The Herons now gear up to face fellow MLS opposition Nashville SC in the 2023 Leagues Cup final at GEODIS Park on August 19, with the Miami supporters hopeful of Messi leading the way to capture the club's first every piece of silverware.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Gerardo Martino claims Inter Miami's new-look squad 'creates problems' for team selections.