"I remember him being really upset in the locker room" - Julian Gressel opens up on what makes Lionel Messi get annoyed with Inter Miami teammates
Inter Miami full-back Julian Gressel has revealed how Lionel Messi is unhappy every time they fail to win a match. He claimed the Argentine even found drawing a game unacceptable and once called them out for the same.
Speaking on the Major League Journeymen podcast, Gressel stated that Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were also in the same boat as Messi. Explaining how these experienced players react after a bad performance from the team, ge said:
“It’s demanding. You’re talking about the player with the most wins in the history of the game. They’re coming in and they’re expecting the same, and you as a teammate, you kind of have to get accustomed to that and get used to that with Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba. It’s unacceptable to tie a game, as simple as that.
"We tied a game earlier in the year and I remember him being really, really upset in the locker room, he’s like: ‘We shouldn’t tie, we can’t tie’. When it comes to the game or when it comes to being serious, it’s being serious and it’s time. If you’re not doing your part, you’re getting it, like, you’re hearing it. You notice they’re not content. [Messi has] addressed other guys directly, he’s more so quiet, but you have guys like Luis, who’s a little bit more emotional.”
Lionel Messi played a key role as Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters' Shield this season with record points. However, they lost to Atlanta United in Round One of the MLS Playoffs and were subsequently knocked out.
Lionel Messi makes everyone better, claims Inter Miami star Julian Gressel
Inter Miami star Julian Gressel spoke about Lionel Messi earlier this year in April and claimed the Argentine made them look better on the pitch. He added that the Barcelona legend was a great teammate and told CBS Sports:
"Leo I think makes everyone look better on the field and Leo does so many things for us. You can get the feeling that when he's on the field there's a different energy about us and there's a different feeling to the group. Leo's a great teammate, he's a great player. Every day in training he wows me still and it's incredible to see and be so close to him daily."
Lionel Messi and Gressel have played 19 matches together at Inter Miami. They have lost just twice in those matches – once to Atlanta United and once to Monterrey.
