Lionel Messi will certainly have a reunion with Gerardo “Tata” Martino at Inter Miami. On Wednesday (28/6/2023), the United States League contestants’ club, Inter Miami, introduced Gerardo “Tata’ Martino as a coach. Tata Martino has filled the position of head coach of Inter Miami which was vacant after the sacking of Phill Neville came four weeks ago.
“We feel he is a coach that fits our ambitions as a club and we are optimistic about what we can achieve together,” said Inter Miami Managing Owner, Jorge Mas. In this way, Tata Martino will be reunited with Lionel Messi. Yes, Messi recently confirmed that Inter Miami would become his new port, after he did not renew his contract with PSG.
Messi is currently on holiday and is predicted to make his debut with Inter Miami on July 21, in the League Cup against Mexican club, Cruz Azul. Messi has previously collaborated with Tata Martino, both at Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
Messi was relied on by Tata Martino when he was in charge of Barcelona in 2013. Tata Martino’s period of coaching Barcelona only lasted one season. When in charge of Barcelona in 2013-2014, Tata Martino was only able to present one title, namely the Spanish Super Cup. Tata Martino’s Barcelona got stuck in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after losing to Atletico Madrid. Messi et al also had to lose to Atletico Madrid in the competition for the 2013-2014 Spanish League title.
Unlucky fate then got Barca coached by Tata Martino in the 2013-2014 Copa del Rey. In the final match, the Blaugrana lost 1-2 to their eternal rival, Real Madrid.
After going through a trophy-less period with Barcelona, Tata Martino took over at the helm of the Argentina national team. While in charge of the Tango Team, Tata Martino successfully brought his team to the finals of the 2015 Copa America and the 2016 Copa America Centenario. However, both finals ended in injury for Tata Martino’s Argentina.
The Tango team failed to win after losing to Chile in two successive Copa America finals. That poignant moment hit Messi, who also failed to fulfill his duties as an executioner in the 2016 Copa America Centenario final penalty shoot-out. The striker, also known as La Pulga, made a surprising decision. After the 2016 Copa America Centenario, Messi decided to retire from the Argentina national team. Messi then revised his decision and returned to defend Team Tango on September 1, 2016.
