Lionel Messi changed Inter Miami from worst team to Real Madrid of MLS - Josef Martinez

Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami has triggered a seismic shift in the club's standards and global perception, according to teammate Josef Martinez.

The Venezuelan striker, who was already with the South Florida club when the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner joined in the summer of 2023, has witnessed a complete transformation, both on and off the pitch.

Messi's impact was immediate, leading Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory shortly after his arrival. The Argentine maestro also brought a galaxy of familiar talent, including former Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, instantly elevating the team's competitiveness and attracting unprecedented international attention.

Speaking on the La Vinotinto podcast, Martinez painted a vivid picture of the club's evolution.

“When I joined Inter Miami, it was El Combate [The Combat] FC. When it became official (Messi’s signing), it went from being the worst team in MLS to the Real Madrid of MLS,” he declared.

Martinez highlighted the stark contrast in the club's profile before and after Messi's arrival.

He added, “Before Messi’s first training session, not even people on Instagram knew us, not even the club’s own journalists came. That was the first time I met my godfather, and people who didn’t even know I existed were writing to me. Outside, there were 1,000 journalists - when before, we had seen maybe one. And there were 50,000 people at the first training session. It changed overnight.”

The Venezuelan forward also lauded Messi's incredible professionalism and the infectious rise in standards he instilled within the team.

He continued, “He had already won everything, and yet he was there and was the first to arrive. He might be the most disciplined, but with us - or at least with me - he was great.

"That made you feel like you had to match his level. Before, there were players who couldn’t even complete a pass. [Robert] Taylor couldn’t score on God himself. Messi arrived, and he became the team’s top scorer. Everyone’s level rose. From being a team nobody watched, to being the biggest spotlight in the league - you couldn’t afford to fail.”

The arrival of Messi has also turned Inter Miami games into star-studded events, attracting A-list celebrities and selling out stadiums across North America. Martinez recalled one particularly memorable occasion.

“The day that impressed me the most was the debut, when Busquets, Messi, and I came in - that famous free-kick goal. Derek Jeter was there, Serena Williams, even LeBron James. If those people go to see that guy [Messi], just imagine how great he is. Even my mom didn’t want to go to games before, and at that point, everyone wanted to go," he concluded.

Following their Leagues Cup triumph, Messi further cemented Inter Miami's progress by leading them to the Supporters’ Shield last season with a record-breaking points total.