He transforms into an animal — Messi's teammate reveals how Argentina star almost made him faint

Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright shared his first impression of Lionel Messi, how he was awestruck, and how the Argentina national team captain helped him settle into the side. 

The 24-year-old joined the Miami-based outfit in 2024 and has become a prominent fixture in the side, contributing to their recent MLS Cup triumph. 

Bright was slugging it in the Serie D before moving to the United States. His career is on the up now, as he shares a dressing room with Messi. In a conversation with Gazzetta, the Italian provided insight into his relationship with Lionel Messi. 

"Leo is a very humble person with an incredible aura,” he said. “I remember the first time I saw him I almost fainted, despite trying to mentally prepare myself before he arrived. 

“He presented himself as just any person, he is a leader on and off the pitch, before matches he always knows how to find the right words to motivate us. A model professional, with obsessive attention to detail. 

"He is a quiet boy, but on the pitch he transforms into an animal, at 38 and after everything he has won he never wants to lose even in training. In the locker room, he then has a very good relationship with the whole team.

"(We have) a good relationship as teammates - we talk a lot about football, he tells me about his family and asks me about mine. He has been a great help these two years both on and off the pitch. 

“He told me that he likes Italy and the challenges he played at San Siro. When he won with Barcelona against Milan in 2011, I was in the stands too, thanks to my brother playing in the youth team.”