Former Inter Miami midfielder Blaise Matuidi has shared why he was convinced with ease to join the Herons in 2020.
The ex-France international was one of the first set of superstars to sign for Inter Miami when the club was founded in 2020, with Matuidi spending two years with the Herons in what was to be a turbulent time for the midfielder.
As well as poor performances on the pitch, Inter Miami were fined $2m for breaching Designated Player rules, with Matuidi signed to a DP contract despite the Herons already having all three slots filled up at the time.
Yet despite that, Matuidi seemingly has no regrets on his move to Inter Miami.
Matuidi says ‘love’ for the United States inspired Inter Miami move
Speaking to Sports Stream, the 2018 FIFA World Cup champion shared his love for America and how the opportunity to play in Florida with Inter Miami was an opportunity Matuidi immediately jumped on.
Playing alongside the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Lewis Morgan and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Matuidi’s time at Inter Miami was certainly an interesting one given all the drama that unfolded with the Frenchman at the club.
Yet looking back on his time, it’s apparent that Matuidi still holds Inter Miami and the United States well in his heart, with the midfielder still traveling back to America with his family every summer.
Matuidi said: “It’s another life, in America everything is so big. Every summer, me and my wife are still going to America, to Miami. And honestly, we were always in love with the United States, and when the opportunity presented itself [to join Inter Miami], we signed straight away.”
Inter Miami should have got more out of Matuidi
Matuidi was one of the first superstar signings Inter Miami ever made, with the Florida franchise very much still learning to walk before they could run now with Lionel Messi and company.
Yet even still, there is a feeling that the Herons should gave got more out of Matuidi during his two years in MLS, with Inter Miami struggling to hit the heights many imagined when they were first brought into the league.
Indeed, Matuidi’s time with Inter Miami was a learning lesson for those involved with running the franchise, and supporters can be allowed to dream of what might have been had the Frenchman succeeded in Florida.