Sacha Kljestan has lauded one Inter Miami figure for his decision that ultimately led to Lionel Messi creating MLS history.
The Argentine international has been on a record-breaking tear this year with Inter Miami as Messi has effortlessly broken numerous accolades with the Herons this season, his most recent coming against the New York Red Bulls.
Five assists and a goal broke the record for the most assists and goal contributions from a single player in an MLS game, with Messi now leading the goalscoring and assist charts in the league after 12 games this season.
Yet for league legend Kljestan, this feat could not have been possible without one key decision.
Tata Martino praised for bringing on Matias Rojas to help Messi create history
Speaking on MLS Wrap-Up, Kljestan was full of praise for Tata Martino’s decision to bring on Matias Rojas at halftime against the Red Bulls, with the Paraguayan international scoring two fantastic goals to set Inter Miami on their way.
With Messi assisting both goals, it was a decision that changed the entire dynamic of the match, with Martino rightly praised for the tactical switch-up and for bringing Rojas into the game when a goal was needed.
Kljestan said: “You have to remember with all of this is that Rojas comes on at halftime for this game, it’s a genius move from Tata Martino to bring on a player who can make a difference.
“Within five minutes, he scores a banger and then he pokes this play away which leads to the first assist of the night for Lionel Messi, it was a game-changing move from Tata and Rojas showed his quality.”
Rojas adds even more firepower to Inter Miami’s forward ranks
Rojas has impressed in his first two games as an Inter Miami player, and the 28-year-old has already proven to be quite the attacking option for the Herons in a short space of time.
The forward’s two goals against the Red Bulls assisted by Messi were nothing short of sensational, and Rojas striking that connection with the Argentine could go a long way in Inter Miami winning MLS Cup.
Indeed, Rojas coming on against the Red Bulls changed everything for Inter Miami on Saturday, and Martino now knows he has a great weapon on his hands in the former Corinthians star.