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Newly appointed MLS coach Gerardo Martino says Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets will join Inter Miami for competition, not a vacation.
The 60-year-old coached Messi and Busquets at Barcelona in 2013-14 before managing Argentina from 2014-16.
Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, 36, has chosen not to renew his contract with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and will be reunited with his former Barcelona teammate Busquets, who spent 18 years at the Camp Nou.
Martino said during his inaugural press conference on Thursday that both Messi and Busquets had talked to him about coming to Miami to be successful.
“It happens to us even on a personal level; sometimes we associate the US with Miami and the holidays — it just isn’t.” He added.
“We want to compete…they are not players who will come here not to compete.”
Martino said he had begun talks with the team owned by David Beckham even before Messi and Busquets confirmed their moves.
He replaced Phil Neville after the former Manchester United defender was sacked after a run of 10 defeats and five wins left them bottom of the Eastern Conference.
“I’ve always found this opportunity enticing…let’s just say the gifts arrived then,” said Martino.
“I think MLS has a constant evolution, and the examples of that are great soccer players from the US who play in Europe and very good teams in Europe.
“(And) that the best player in the world decides to play in this league, it would obviously open up a better panorama for that growth. I think the United States is not a country that loses that kind of opportunity.”
Messi is expected to make his debut for Miami on July 21 in a League Cup match against Mexico’s Cruz Azul.
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