Lionel Messi carrying Inter Miami like he did Argentina at FIFA World Cup: Gerardo Martino | Football News

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino has showered praise on Lionel Messi’s leadership and said the 36-year-old is leading the MLS side exactly like Argentina during their World Cup title triumph in Qatar last year.
“He is not doing here neither more nor less than what we saw in the World Cup with Argentina,” Martino told reporters on Thursday.
“Leo’s leadership on and off the pitch has been notable in recent years. I’m thinking about what he did in the World Cup because that reflects the kind of leader he has become.”
Martino, who had coached Messi during a short spell at Barcelona and for two years while managing Argentina, believes there has been an evolution in the 36-year-old’s approach to leadership both at the World Cup and during his brief time in MLS.
“It’s totally different from the first years of his career when he only led from the football side,” Martino said.
“Today he has an impact on the field as always, but also in training, in talks with the young players of the team, and in how to execute an idea for the team.
“When he arrived, he said: ‘I come to compete and win.’ I think the image of the fourth goal [vs. FC Dallas] is a good example. He celebrated the goal, but at the same time he was saying: ‘Let’s grab the ball quickly to see if we can score a fifth goal.’
“It reflects a bit his mentality and, of course, that’s something contagious for everyone.”
Messi has scored seven goals in just four appearances in the competition following his arrival on a free transfer, helping Miami reach the last eight.
“Teams are made of character. Of course, you have to play well,” Martino said.

“But there are moments when character is needed to take over a game. We showed that, but we also have Leo. So, on top of character, we have Messi.
“And it isn’t normal to feel we have a 90 percent changes of scoring when he has a free kick on the edge of the box. We shouldn’t normalize that.”
Inter Miami’s will take on Charlotte FC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinal on Friday.