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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine moved to Florida in 2023</li><li>Made immediate impact on &amp; off the field</li><li>Everyone else forced to raise their game</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n" rel="sponsored"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Lionel Messi credited with turning Inter Miami into the 'Real Madrid of MLS' as Josef Martinez lifts lid on poor standards at the club before Barcelona legend's arrival

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Inter Miami CF

<p>Venezuelan frontman Martinez was already in South Florida when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-beckham-reveals-why-lionel-messi-agreed-mls-move-inter-miami-dream-argentine-goat/blt4512ac37b62ab713" target="_blank">eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi arrived in the summer of 2023</a>. He made an immediate impact with the Herons, as Leagues Cup success was savoured within weeks of his arrival.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72px; height: 40px;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream games now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The most decorated player of all-time has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/best-partnership-football-history-lionel-messi-luis-suarez-post-incredible-stat-inter-miami-stars-mls-glory-2025/blt1adf4580a7954547" target="_blank">brought several familiar faces along with him - including Luis Suarez</a> and Sergio Busquets - helping to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/world-cup-final-mls-training-lionel-messi-win-every-game-inter-miami-robert-taylor-explains-argentine-goat/blt7da9315808b3b61a" target="_blank">make the Herons more competitive</a> while attracting greater interest from a global audience.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Martinez has told the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meVqYlPOMSo " target="_blank"><em>La Vinotinto</em></a> podcast: “When I joined Inter Miami, it was El Combate [The Combat] FC. When it became official (Messi’s signing), it went from being the worst team in MLS to the Real Madrid of MLS.
</p><p>“Before Messi’s first training session, not even people on Instagram knew us, not even the club’s own journalists came. That was the first time I met my godfather, and people who didn’t even know I existed were writing to me. Outside, there were 1,000 journalists - when before, we had seen maybe one. And there were 50,000 people at the first training session. It changed overnight.”</p>

WHAT JOSEF MARTINEZ SAID

<p>Martinez added on Messi: “He had already won everything, and yet he was there and was the first to arrive. He might be the most disciplined, but with us - or at least with me - he was great. That made you feel like you had to match his level. Before, there were players who couldn’t even complete a pass.
</p><p>“[Robert] Taylor couldn’t score on God himself. Messi arrived, and he became the team’s top scorer. Everyone’s level rose. From being a team nobody watched, to being the biggest spotlight in the league - you couldn’t afford to fail.”</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Messi has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/celebrity-ticket-requests-watch-lionel-messi-inter-miami-really-crazy-a-list-stars-michael-phelps-swim-usain-bolt-run/blt85f3a676e0646d6b" target="_blank">attracted A-list guests to Inter Miami games</a>, while selling out stadiums across North America, with Martinez going on to say: “The day that impressed me the most was the debut, when Busquets, Messi, and I came in - that famous free-kick goal.
</p><p>“Derek Jeter was there, Serena Williams, even LeBron James. If those people go to see that guy [Messi], just imagine how great he is. Even my mom didn’t want to go to games before, and at that point, everyone wanted to go.”</p>

TELL ME MORE

<p>Messi helped Inter Miami to make more history last season as they <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-lifts-trophy-46-inter-miami-superstar-most-decorated-player-all-time-inter-miami-supporters-shield-mls-2024/blta5661435124b5e01" target="_blank">secured the Supporters’ Shield with a record-breaking points haul.</a> He is back in the hunt for major silverware in 2025, with a 12-month <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/stars-aligning-lionel-messi-future-update-inter-miami-jorge-mas-contract-talks/blte2338e6f7b1967fe" target="_blank">extension option in his contract expected to be triggered</a> at some stage.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Lionel Messi credited with turning Inter Miami into the 'Real Madrid of MLS' as Josef Martinez lifts lid on poor standards at the club before Barcelona legend's arrival | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has been credited with turning Inter Miami into the “Real Madrid of MLS”, with Josef Martinez detailing a stunning raising of standards.

Lionel Messi credited with turning Inter Miami into the &apos;Real Madrid of MLS&apos; as Josef Martinez lifts lid on poor standards at the club before Barcelona legend&apos;s arrival

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