Nigel Reo-Coker has detailed his theory as to why Inter Miami are seemingly playing better with Lionel Messi away at the Copa America.
The Herons have been perfect since the Argentine departed alongside Luis Suarez and Matias Rojas to this summer’s Copa America, with Inter Miami winning all three games since Messi joined up with the reigning South American champions.
Sitting pretty at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings, Inter Miami’s turnaround has been quite incredible given the big names the Florida franchise are missing, with Messi arguably the best player in MLS this season.
Yet former league star Reo-Coker has shared why Inter Miami look better off without Messi.
Inter Miami more focused as a team without Messi to feed
Speaking on Morning Footy, Reo-Coker detailed how Inter Miami are operating better as a team as there’s no longer a focus to constantly find Messi, with the Herons working off each player’s own individual quality to get results.
Reo-Coker said on why Inter Miami are performing better without Messi: “My bingo card says when Lionel Messi’s not playing, you play more as a team, that’s the different dynamic. Obviously, we know Messi is a match-winner, that’s what it is with him.
“There’s a different feeling with him on the pitch when you’re playing with someone of that quality. When you play with someone of that greatness, there’s an expectation where you have to give him the ball and he can do what he wants, you can disagree, but there’s a difference in playing with a player with that quality being on the pitch, the mindset of the other players is ‘we have to please him,’ we’ve seen it a little bit with Portugal [with Ronaldo].
“Messi is a different level to Ronaldo, but there’s still that 1% level, and when he’s not in the team there’s more of a togetherness because there isn’t that match-winner, so you’re more united as a team to be able to get results, which is a good thing. You of course still have the quality like in Jordi Alba, but you don’t have that weight and expectation when you have a Messi on the pitch.”
Inter Miami are still better off when their no. 10 is available
Although Inter Miami’s form has improved with the backline looking noticeably better with Messi away, there’s no denying that the Herons are still mich better off when the Argentine captain is available.
Inter Miami were setting records and blowing teams out of the water with Messi and Suarez in the squad, with the duo rekindling their former partnership at FC Barcelona to lead the Herons into a new future in Florida.
And when Messi returns, Inter Miami could be at their ultimate form heading into Leagues Cup, where the 37-year-old will want to reclaim the title and to add to his record-breaking trophy cabinet.