Lionel Messi’s arrival at Inter Miami changed everything for the Herons, yet one player who received a surprise boost from the Argentine is goalkeeper Drake Callender.
The 26-year-old shot-stopper saw his reputation increase massively last year as Callender played a starring role for Inter Miami alongside Messi in their run to Leagues Cup glory, with the goalkeeper scoring the winning penalty from the shootout in the final.
Since then, the Sacramento native has become a USA international and one of the best keepers in MLS, with Kieran Gibbs hailing Callender for his consistency this season as one of Inter Miami’s most important players.
And Callender has now shared how playing with Messi has helped adjust his game.
Callender says increased media attention has helped his game
Speaking to WSVN 7 News, Callender highlighted how the increased media attention in Inter Miami brought on by Messi has helped fuel him in some games, with the goalkeeper looking like a man on a mission in some games.
Indeed, Callender has enjoyed yet another outstanding season between the sticks for Inter Miami, and the USA international can thank Messi for his development over the last 12 months, with the Argentine lifting the entire squad up a few levels.
Callender said when asked what’s changed about his game since the arrival of Messi at Inter Miami: “I’m good at blocking out the world. All the noise and all the haters and the doubters and the media, sometimes it fuels me and sometimes I need a break from it.
“But it takes time to adjust to all the changes. I mean, I was watching this guy in Champions League a few years ago, and now I’m playing on the same team with him.”
Callender is not the only Inter Miami player Messi has improved
Messi has been the biggest influence on Inter Miami since the club’s formation back in 2019, with Callender far from the only player to have improved since the Argentine arrived last year.
Benjamin Cremaschi has been one of the breakout stars in MLS in the last 12 months with Diego Gomez winning a move to the Premier League after just half of a season of playing alongside Messi at Inter Miami.
With Yannick Bright, David Ruiz and Robert Taylor all thriving since Messi’s move to Florida, the reigning Ballon d’Or holder has had a sizeable impact on Inter Miami, and more players are likely to improve in the years to come.