Lionel Messi made his Inter Miami debut well over a year ago from the bench in the Leagues Cup against Cruz Azul, where the Argentine certainly made a splash.
The reigning Ballon d’Or holder scored a 94th-minute winner from a free-kick to set Inter Miami on their way to Leagues Cuo glory that summer, with Messi showing the world why the Herons went above and beyond to sign the attacker.
With Inter Miami winning the Supporters’ Shield this year, Messi’s impact with the Florida franchise has been nothing short of extraordinary, with the 37-year-old transforming Tata Martino’s side into one of the best in MLS.
And referee Said Martinez has now shared what it was like to officiate Messi on his debut for Inter Miami.
Referee praises Messi’s humbleness on Inter Miami debut
Speaking to Rely Maradiaga, the Honduran referee praised Messi for how the Inter Miami attacker respected the officials at Chase Stadium on his debut, with Martinez lauding how ‘humble’ the Argentine was.
And the match has seemingly stuck with Martinez one year on, with the 33-year-old since going on to officiate at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and international friendlies with the likes of Brazil.
Martinez said: “He doesn’t get angry easily. When he complains about something, he is usually calm. I saw the most humble gesture of Messi that day. The whole stadium was chanting his name and he came to shake hands with four Honduran referees.
“The stadium was chanting ‘Messi, Messi, Messi, Messi’, and he went to shake our hands and congratulated us and gave us a pat on the back and said: ‘What a good game and what a good job,’ that kind of thing is worth more than anything else.”
Messi is respected by every figure in soccer
With eight Ballon d’Ors and the most titles won in the history of soccer, there’s a good reason why Messi is as respected as he is, even when playing in a lesser league in MLS having spent his entire career in Europe.
Yet Martinez’s comments paint the picture of a player who is humble to everyone and anyone, with Messi showing the referee on his Inter Miami debut the respect every official should receive from players.
Indeed, Inter Miami star Oscar Ustari recently shared how good a person Messi is off the field, and Martinez’s comments once again back up this claim for the Argentine.