Lionel Messi 'doesn't talk much' at Inter Miami

Stuart Telford

• 25 Apr 2024 20:00 BST
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi has done his talking with the ball at his feet since joining Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, says teammate Benjamin Cremaschi.

Messi has been a stunning success in the U.S despite turning 36 last June, and is now up to 20 goals and 10 assists from just 27 games across all competitions.

He fired the Herons to an inaugural Leagues Cup triumph in August, and Apple TV viewing figures for Major League Soccer have gone through the roof.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi at Inter Miami: Goals, assists, results & fixtures in 2024

Inter teammates Julian Gressel and Robert Taylor have both revealed in recent months that Messi speaks more English than he has previously let on, but he continued to do his talking with his feet according to Cremaschi.

"He doesn't talk much, right?" the new USMNT international explained to Fulham's Tim Ream on The American Dream podcast. "But he talks with his looks. Like he'll look at you and you'll be like 'Oh alright.'

Chance = goal for Messi

"Literally in the field, I'm obviously constantly looking at him to see where he's positioned because I play by his side.

"So obviously when he comes in, I need to create some space for him or maybe attract some players there so he can have some space. Different little movements that I need to do to satisfy his game. Obviously if we find him with time and space, it's a goal chance literally."

READ MORE: Does Lionel Messi speak English?

Messi has a Hispanophone network at Chase Stadium, with former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez all having joined him at the David Beckham-backed franchise.

Their most recent acquisition is also a Spanish speaker, with Paraguay international Matias Rojas joining the club on a free transfer from Corinthians on Wednesday.

It has been suggested Messi might return to his native Argentina after the end of his current contract in December 2025, but for now he is simply enjoying being fluent in the language of football - or should that be soccer?