“I’m watching Argentina on mute,” Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino said over the phone on Tuesday afternoon. “There’s no need to hear the broadcast to enjoy it.”
Martino lived at a hotel near Inter Miami’s training complex in Fort Lauderdale for over a month after joining the club in late June and stayed there at the start of their remarkable 11-game unbeaten run. The move to a new apartment has been a welcome change. Martino is now more settled in the city, living with his wife and son Gerardo, 27, who’s also an assistant on the Inter Miami coaching staff.
Before Argentina kicked off their World Cup qualifier against Bolivia, Martino and his son watched Inter Miami central defender Sergii Kryvtsov start against Italy in a Euro 2024 qualifier. They then became fans and turned their attention to the current world champions as they outclassed a listless Bolivia side in La Paz.
Lionel Messi, Argentina and Inter Miami’s captain, was on the bench for the Albiceleste, but not part of the match-day squad. The 36-year-old was a game-time decision leading up to the game after admitting that he was fatigued after Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador on September 7. He’s been very busy since he started playing for Miami in late July.
Messi and Martino will travel together to Atlanta this Saturday for a pivotal Eastern Conference clash with Martino’s former club, Atlanta United. It’s been a year of reunions for Martino. In Miami, he was reunited with Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, three players who he managed at FC Barcelona from 2013-2014. He last worked with Messi in 2016 as Argentina manager during the Copa América Centenario that was held in the United States.
Martino also reconnected with former MLS MVP and Atlanta United star Josef Martínez at Miami, and now the two leaders of Atlanta United’s 2018 MLS Cup success will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in rival colors.
Martino spoke to The Athletic about his emotions ahead of the match, Messi’s availability against Atlanta United, the stadium’s artificial turf field, and what Messi, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and other sporting greats have in common.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Did you have a conversation with (Argentina manager) Lionel Scaloni about Messi’s fitness? Was there a plan in place for him during this FIFA window?
There wasn’t a plan for Leo. The last time Scaloni and I spoke was after we won (Leagues Cup). This is the start of Argentina’s World Cup qualifying campaign and we had a series of important games to play and I didn’t think it was wise to have any type of conversations (with Scaloni). It was best to let Argentina begin qualifying calmly. Surely Leo and (Scaloni) have spoken about the situations that they were in and what’s the most convenient outcome. We’ll do the same thing once (Messi) is back here, but obviously with all of the information about what occurred over the week.
So you’ll wait before deciding how much Messi plays against Atlanta United and whether he starts the match?
Yes because regardless of anything, there’s nothing more important than the health of the players. In this case it’s Leo. It could be another player, too. Regardless of how important a match is, we have to make sure that all of the players are fit, not take risks with them or make an injury worse. We’ll evaluate him as soon as he arrives and decide what is the best course of action for our upcoming games.
You’re obviously familiar with the turf at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Knowing the surface is usually a competitive advantage for Atlanta United. But surely you saw NFL star Aaron Rodgers tear his Achilles tendon playing on turf on Monday night. Are you concerned about risking Messi’s health on Saturday?
Yes, (Rodgers) suffered that Achilles injury. My experience with Atlanta’s turf has always been positive. From the time that we made our debut with Atlanta (United) on that field, the way our players adapted to the surface. They adapted immediately and we didn’t have to continue to train on grass. And the same thing happened when we played in Atlanta with Mexico. The players adapted quickly.
It’s a very cushioned type of artificial surface. Up until now I haven’t heard any negative opinions about the surface from players that I’ve coached. That doesn’t mean that we’re not addressing the fact that we’ll play on artificial turf but it isn’t anything that’s driving us crazy. We hope to play a good game no matter what.
What’s it been like for you to have your son Gerardo as part of your Inter Miami staff?
He left home just six months ago so it hasn’t been too long since we’ve lived under the same roof. Because of the nature of our job now we spend a lot more time together talking about football, our training sessions and our opponents. It’s been good. I’m very happy to be able to work with him and share this experience together.
What’s Gerardo’s role on the staff? During games the camera often catches him next to you with a tablet in front of him.
He’s our third assistant behind me and Jorge (Theiler). He provides scouting on our opponents and compiles reports on our squad. We take advantage of his language skills during training sessions whether he runs the session himself or as a translator. Every staff member has a corresponding role to play.
A lot has been said about Messi finding happiness in MLS and in Miami, but you look a lot happier these days, as well.
Yes, yes. Six years ago I confirmed what it was like to work in MLS. I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed that project. It was different (than Inter Miami) because in Atlanta we had to build an entire squad and we started with plenty of lead time. That dynamic of building a team, from talking and convincing players to come, leaning on (former Atlanta United vice president) Paul (McDonough) for knowledge about the American players. He knew them much better than me. In that sense, we really enjoyed all of that. We enjoyed the process once we began competing and we liked living in Atlanta. Those were two wonderful years. With the opportunity to come to Miami, yes it’s a different city, and the exposure is greater now with Leo, Busquets, Jordi and the tremendous careers that they’ve had.
It’s a league that we like and we like living in the United States. We adapt right away. And now the results have come right away. That always helps. We work calmly here. The players’ reception towards us was positive and we have a very good relationship with the club’s owners and front office. There’s no reason why this moment shouldn’t be one that we enjoy.
I ask because we saw images of you and Messi embrace rather emotionally after some of Inter Miami’s cup victories. What does that say about your relationship with him after reuniting, and about the culture of the club?
I like that he’s enjoying himself. But more so that he hasn’t lost that will to compete. That’s the most important aspect. There are many ways that one can enjoy playing. But without a doubt, when there’s a will to compete, when there’s a will to continue to prove that he’s the best in the world, to help the team and earn results, well, it’s all much more valuable. His happiness is contagious and we end up demonstrating that. His will to work, to improve and to have a closer relationship with his teammates… that says everything about his state of mind.
Martino and Messi embrace after winning Leagues Cup on August 19. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
The impact of Messi, Busquets and Alba on this team has been incredible. The players are much more confident and the 11-game unbeaten streak proves that. But Messi has also said that your philosophy of play has been a big part of the turnaround. How would you describe the team’s evolution?
Something that’s very important to note is how the team has responded to the arrival of these three players. Because the outcome could’ve been completely different. It could’ve become an enormous responsibility for the other players and affected their production. Or they could’ve felt supported and confident enough to show the best versions of themselves, which is what I believe has happened. That makes all of us better. The group understands that the more experienced players, and those with longer career paths, take on more responsibility. They’ve understood their role and how to move forward. They’ve all adapted very well.
And from my position, I have three exceptional footballers. We’ve added pieces around them sensibly and based on a way of playing. We’ve realized that our style of play is still a work in progress. There’s a lot that we can improve. We needed results. That’s what this moment in time demanded from us.
Right now we’re not training our way of playing and then going home to rest. Training isn’t the only thing that we’re doing. We have to play games and we have to win. That requires a greater commitment from everyone because if the results aren’t there, there’s a risk that people will lose confidence in the tactics. We’re getting results so it’s been easier to refine our tactics.
There are eight games to play and clearly qualifying for the playoffs is the priority. But ahead of 2024 you’ll have a full offseason with this team. You must be thinking about making improvements.
We knew that our first task was to solve what was in front of us and to compete well in the tournaments that were upcoming. Even though our immediate priorities are short term, it’s also true that we cannot forget what’s coming in the mid-term. We have ideas. When these players arrived we had conversations with (Miami sporting director) Chris (Henderson) and (director of soccer operations) Niki (Budalic) about the future, and the future is next season. Now that this season’s transfer windows are closed, we’re focused on playing with an eye on next season. Everything falls within the scope of the league’s (roster) rules and how we can continue to improve our team.
Player recruitment and finding the right talent for your system was a big part of your success at Atlanta United. What has working with Chris Henderson and his team been like?
I have to say that it’s been very, very good. Like I’ve said before, and I’m not talking about Leo, Busquets and Jordi, but Diego (Gómez), Tomás (Avilés) and Facundo (Farías) are players who we wanted to sign. They were our names that we put on the table from the beginning. There’s a lot of communication (with the sporting office) and we all participate. That’s the best way to work. There’s a lot of respect. We listen to each other. No one is the owner of the truth. And we’re all responsible for the good and the bad.
After Diego Alonso was fired as Inter Miami coach in 2021, David Beckham told reporters that he would oversee every single player acquisition. That came during a time of turmoil at the club. What’s Beckham’s involvement now?
In our first month at the club, David was at our side the entire time. He was at every training session. He was at every game. He was very close to the team. He’s very friendly and respectful. And there’s a really nice dynamic between him, the players and the staff. I can’t comment on his involvement regarding player signings because I typically had those conversations with Chris and Niki. They kept David abreast of those conversations. But because of who he is and what he represents, he commands a lot of respect, he’s approachable and polite with the entire group.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas is hands on, too.
Jorge and Jose (Mas) are different from one another, but they’re both very involved. They’re always supporting us. They embody the commitment and hope that runs through the club. They’re very happy with everything that’s occurred thus far. They’ve backed us. That’s why I’ve said that we work calmly here. We all listen to each other. It’s a very pleasant place to work. It’s not just about the results and whether the team is playing well or not. In the day to day, they make it all worthwhile.
I’ve seen you have a word or two with Messi mid-game or off to the side during a stoppage in play. What does a coach say to the best player in the world?
The types of conversations we have center on the opponent and their characteristics. And how we’re going to approach a match. The aspects of the game in which we’d like to be more polished, the way we’ll try to get him the ball. But we never talk about his individual role. What I believe we need is for him to have the freedom to move into the spaces where he can find the right conditions to play. What we have to do as a team is adapt to his movements, not limit his movements. I think that’s been part of Argentina’s secret to success. Have the right pieces in place as he moves about the pitch. That’s what a lot of our conversations focus on.
When we were in Rosario we spoke extensively about the league and the types of situations I faced in Atlanta, the league’s characteristics, the teams we’d face, the cities we’d visit, the amount of travel, the cold, the heat, the snow, storms and matches that are postponed until the weather clears. Flights that may or may not get off the ground, the physicality of the opponents. That’s what we discussed at that time and now it’s much more specific about who we’re playing and how we’ll approach the game.
The greatest players across sports mature and change their game later in their careers. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Zinedine Zidane all remained top players into their 30s. Would you say that Messi has evolved similarly?
I think so because all of those athletes have a similar mentality. It’s a mentality that he hasn’t changed since he was 17 years old up to this stage of his sporting career. So in that sense that’s what these athletes all have in common. The way they compete. The way that they’re always trying to be the best. In some cases it’s individual sports and also team sports. But they’re always trying to be the best, to make their teams better and to make their teammates better.
Then there’s their intellectual capacity to interpret each stage of their life and give their best in those moments. They notice how they can maximize those facets because one isn’t the same player at 20, 25, 30 or 35 years of age. No one reaches these privileged heights without having top-level intellectual capacities. They realize on their own where they are, how they can contribute, what they need to do to be the best. They do that easily throughout their careers.
Those types of athletes, like Messi, also have an unquenchable thirst for winning.
Leo was visibly frustrated after our scoreless draw against Nashville. I had to tell him “relax, we’re not going to win every game. We can’t allow draws but we have to continue to find ways to grow.” He was very bitter. It was as if we had lost the game. We’re still trying to find ourselves (as a team), but he’s on a permanent quest to win and it’s very difficult to change that mentality. I would never want to change that mentality either. That’s what makes him better.
You’ll return to Atlanta for the first time this weekend as an MLS head coach. You’ll likely receive a warm welcome from the fans. Describe your emotions.
I spent two great years of my life in Atlanta. We all enjoyed it. I felt comfortable at the club and I had a group of players that I truly valued, and I still do in a very special way. I have a different type of relationship with them.
The Latino players, the American players, the players from other nationalities. When I run into Jeff (Larentowicz), when Parky (Michael Parkhurst) texts me, when Kevin Kratz updates us on his career as a youth coach in Atlanta. Leandro (González Pírez), Tito (Villalba), Miguel (Almirón), Josef (Martínez), all of them. That marked an important part of my life. I’m very grateful for it.
No matter what happens on Saturday, Atlanta will want to continue to win. And all of our games are important for our playoff qualification, but that won’t diminish the love that I have for the club, for the city and for those two wonderful years.
It’s a completely different Atlanta United team from when you were the manager in 2017 and 2018. What do you like about Gonzalo Pineda’s side?
I’ve noticed that this Atlanta team is evolving. The new players are adapting well. I may mispronounce their names, but the French player (Tristan Muyumba) in the middle has settled in well. (Luis) Abram is now more comfortable as a center back. The Greek center forward (Giorgos Giakoumakis) is very dangerous as is the Portuguese winger (Xande Silva), the new signing who typically plays on the left.
Thiago (Almada) remains their star player and their creator. Miles Robinson’s abilities, their fullbacks… honestly it’s a team that I really like. I see them as a team that’s going to make a run during the playoffs. I have a lot of respect for their continued evolution.
(Photo: Trevor Ruszkowski/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)