Former Inter Miami defender Kamal Miller has revealed what he and Lionel Messi spoke about after Argentina’s 2-0 Copa America win against Canada.
The reigning South American and FIFA World Cup champions kicked off their Copa America defense in fine form with a convincing victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Messi assisting Lautaro Martinez for the second goal of the match.
The Inter Miami forward is expected to play a key role for Argentina in the coming weeks, with Messi keen to add a second Copa America title to his trophy cabinet, with this tournament potentially the attacker’s last for the national team.
And former teammate Miller shared what he and Messi spoke about after the full-time whistle.
Miller reveals words of encouragement from former Inter Miami teammate Messi
Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, Miller shared that Messi gave him words of confidence after being an unused substitute for Canada, with Jesse Marsch instead opting to start Moise Bombito and Derek Cornelius in central defense.
Miller was one of the more surprising departures from Inter Miami this winter when the defender was snapped up by the Portland Timbers, now managed by former Herons manager Phil Neville.
Indeed, the Florida franchise could do with a defender of Miller’s quality this season, and it appears that Messi still holds the Canadian international in high regard despite playing together for just six months.
Miller said when asked about talking to Messi after Canada’s loss against Argentina: “I told him I loved him. It was nice to see him again. I didn’t play today but he gave me the confidence to keep going. He said my opportunity will come.”
Messi will want to see Inter Miami-linked players succeed at the Copa America
Messi has shown that he has great support for his former Inter Miami teammates in his kind words to Miller, and the 36-year-old will likely want to see more players linked with the Herons succeed at the Copa America.
Whilst Argentina are the clear favorites for the competition, there’s a realistic chance that an Inter Miami player could end up lifting the Copa America, whether it be Luis Suarez’s Uruguay or even Matias Rojas and Paraguay.
Either way, Messi will be pleased to see Inter Miami players old and new succeed at this summer’s competition, with the Argentine showing his respect to the likes of Miller.