Inter Miami’s new signing Tadeo Allende has opened up on the pressures of playing with some of his superstar new teammates.
Allende joined the Herons on loan from Celta Vigo and has played regular minutes in the team’s first two friendlies under Javier Mascherano.
The Argentine striker played 65 minutes in the team’s recent penalty victory over Universitario and showed his versatility as he played right-wing.
He has also been included in Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup squad and has spoken about playing alongside Lionel Messi.
Allende ‘honored’ to be Messi’s teammate
The star quality of Messi is undoubted and this was seen in the team’s recent friendly win over Universitario where 80,000 fans came to watch the World Cup winner.
Universitario defender Hugo Ancajima said it was a ‘dream fulfilled’ to face Messi, and Allende has also spoken about how he has found taking to the field with the superstar.
Messi was named the 2024 MLS MVP and Allende could not hide the pressure of playing alongside the star.
Speaking to the media he said: “I always watched Messi on TV and now being his teammate is something incredible, just like the other three [Suarez, Alba and Busquets]. It’s an honor and an immense joy, but it’s also a lot of pressure, they are winning players and we have to raise our level.”
Allende is yet to open his Inter Miami account but will be hoping to get his scoring run underway before the side’s MLS opener against New York City FC.
Allende urges Inter Miami to fix mistakes
While the team’s pre-season performances so far have seen them win both of their games, they have both come via penalties.
New Inter Miami signings Gonzalo Lujan and Telasco Segovia have not been seen in pre-season and their additions are likely to improve the squad’s performances.
However, Allende has called on the side to ‘correct their mistakes’ now, saying: “We must correct our mistakes, we are in pre-season and if we have to make mistakes, let it be now, when the official competitions start, we must be prepared. We will try to play a correct game and without mistakes on Sunday.”
The Herons face Sporting San Miguelito in their next pre-season game in Panama on February 2 at 5 pm ET.