Really funny’ Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami banter squad! USMNT hopeful Benjamin Cremaschi reveals what Argentine superstar is like behind the scenes

The Argentine superstar has generally been the type to do his talking on the field, with a somewhat shy persona delivered in public despite enjoying a standing as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Messi has never been one to seek out the spotlight or to make bold statements that generate as many headlines as his performances.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Those that know him on a personal level are, however, treated to a different side of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Messi is playing with a smile on his face again in America – following a testing spell in France at Paris Saint-Germain – and has fellow former Barcelona stars Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets alongside him.

  • WHAT CREMASCHI SAID

    Cremaschi claims that they are often the source of jokes in the Herons camp, with the USMNT hopeful telling the Offside With Taylor Twellman Podcast of life alongside Messi: “Off the field he’s a good guy. He’s a really good guy. He’s a funny guy. He’ll joke around with everyone. All of them, all four of them, are really funny. They really like to get on people, and it’s just funny to see that – you know, them interacting with us, with younger guys, or with whoever. It’s just really fun to see that.”

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    DID YOU KNOW?

    Cremaschi added on adapting to having all-time greats as team-mates: “I try to normalise anything. Whenever I get to chance to sit down and think about it, it’s surreal. Walking in and seeing him [Messi] everyday makes it a little more normal. Their advice in general is super important to us. For me, it’s helped me and I feel like it’s helped a lot of the guys as well.”

    WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?

    The presence of Messi and Suarez has helped to Inter Miami to capture the Supporters’ Shield in 2024, with Tata Martino’s side boasting the best regular season record in MLS. They will enter the play-offs as No.1 seeds, securing home-field advantage, and are determined to claim another piece of silverware in the form of the MLS Cup.