Inter Miami striker Nicolas Stefanelli did not originally believe that Lionel Messi was going to sign for the Herons this summer.
The 36-year-old attacker made the move to Florida in last year’s transfer window as Messi made the blockbuster move from PSG to MLS with Inter Miami.
The transfer was arguably the biggest of the summer and one that has changed the landscape of MLS forever, with Inter Miami now one of the biggest clubs in world soccer.
And speaking to Fox Sports, Stefanelli detailed how he and many other Inter Miami players didn’t actually believe that Messi was joining the Herons last summer.
Stefanelli said: “When the news came out, we couldn’t believe it. We said it was a lie. We didn’t believe it, we said it wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t believe it until I greeted him.
“If I think about it, I still haven’t get my head around it to this day. I didn’t know whether to shake his hand, kiss or hug him. I wanted to do everything together. I gave him a kiss and we started talking.”
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami move has changed everything in MLS
Messi to Inter Miami was easily one of the biggest transfers in modern soccer, with the switch putting MLS back on the map and raising the profile of the league by quite a lot.
And for the Herons, getting the best out of Messi next season could be huge in Inter Miami becoming a massive threat in the North American and worldwide soccer scene.
Indeed, Inter Miami know they have a revelation on their hands in Messi, and it’s now up to the Herons to keep the Argentine fit and firing heading into the 2024 season.