Julian Gressel has shared how Lionel Messi reacted in the Inter Miami locker room after Saturday’s 6-2 MLS win against the New York Red Bulls.
The Argentine international enjoyed another record-breaking performance on the weekend as Messi became the first player in MLS history to register five assists in a single game, with the 36-year-old also scoring on the night.
With Inter Miami sat top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, Messi’s impact with Inter Miami this year has been nothing short of incredible, with the Herons unstoppable in MLS and looking like early favorites to win MLS Cup.
And Gressel has now shared how Messi reacted after his record-breaking performance.
Gressel admits Messi was ‘almost embarassed’ after Inter Miami win vs New York Red Bulls
Speaking on the Player/Manager podcast, Inter Miami midfielder Gressel revealed that Messi was almost shy in the locker after being praised by the USA international for his five-assist performance against the Red Bulls.
Messi is known in soccer circles for his humbleness and for acting normal away from the pitch, and it appears that this persona came through again on Saturday after a historic display for Inter Miami in Florida.
Gressel said when asked how Messi reacted to his record-breaking performance on the weekend: “Out of habit, I go around the locker room after a game and dab everyone up with a high-five or a hug.
“I get to Leo and I gave him a high-five and I was like ‘five assists today?’ and he was like ‘yeah,’ all shy and looking down, but smiling shyly, it was a cool moment to see him so humble and to look almost embarrassed.”
Messi has again showed why he’s the greatest of all time
There’s an old adage in soccer that Messi isn’t aware of truly of great he is, and this little moment after his five-assist performance against the New York Red Bulls is more proof of the statement.
The Argentine’s humbleness makes Messi’s legend even greater, with the 36-year-old truly the greatest of all time and a figure who should be looked up as a real role model for everyone wishing to get into soccer.
Indeed, Messi’s humility is the forward’s greatest weapon off the pitch, and his honesty is what makes the Inter Miami star such a true legend with fans and now with his teammates.