Lionel Messi is finally back in Inter Miami training after nearly a month out injured following a twisted ankle at the Copa America final.
It’s been well over two months since the Argentine international last kicked a ball for the Herons, with Messi expected to miss Inter Miami’s trip to the Chicago Fire this weekend ahead of a return to MLS action in mid-September.
Still, Messi’s return to training this week has been viewed as a major boost for Inter Miami, who on Saturday booked their spot in the MLS play-offs whilst also extending their lead in the Supporters’ Shield title race to four points.
And Inter Miami talent Federico Redondo has shared what it’s like training with Messi.
Redondo reveals ‘admiration’ in watching Messi in training
Speaking to the press, Redondo revealed how he admires Messi in Inter Miami training, though the midfielder admitted that it’s not easy to learn from the 37-year-old given just how good he is.
Messi is heads and shoulders the best player to ever grace MLS and arguably the greatest to ever play the game, with the former FC Barcelona attacker winning the most titles and Ballon d’Or’s out of anyone in all of soccer.
And for Redondo, it’s no surprise that the midfielder feels like it is hard to learn from Messi, with the veteran attacker simply on another planet compared to everyone else currently playing the game.
Redondo said: “The truth is that it is a dream. When you see Leo here playing you really admire him more because he has a humility and a greatness worthy of the player he is on the pitch. It is more admiration than learning from him. On the pitch, it is not easy, even though it is not easy, but it is not easy to learn.”
Messi has already raised the standards of his Inter Miami teammates
Learning from Messi might be an impossible job given just how advanced the Argentine is compared to every teammate the forward has ever played with in his historic career.
Yet watching Inter Miami this year, it’s clear that the Herons have upped their standards by multiple degrees since Messi’s arrival last summer, with the Florida franchise simply one of the best MLS teams of all time.
Whilst the likes of Redondo might feel intimidated in trying to learn from Messi, the midfielder has already taken in more than his thinks from his fellow countryman, and the youngster is all the better for it going forward in his career.