"Xavi on the way", "Messi said get out" - Fans react as Tata Martino has reportedly decided to leave Inter Miami
Fans have reacted on X after journalist Tom Bogert reported that Tata Martino has allegedly decided to leave Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. The former Barcelona boss has reportedly decided to part ways with the Herons due to personal reasons despite having one year left on his current contract.
Martino joined Inter Miami on June 28, 2023, where he was reunited with Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba the next month. Under his tutelage, the Herons won the Leagues Cup last season - the first piece of silverware in the club's history.
The 61-year-old further bolstered his squad by signing Luis Suarez at the end of the season. Inter Miami had an excellent 2024 campaign. They won the MLS Supporters' Shield trophy after finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference with a record-breaking 74 points from 34 games.
Unfortunately, Martino was unable to make the most of this. His side was knocked out of the Playoffs in the first round after losing their best-of-three series 2-1 against Atlanta United.
Under his guidance, Messi and Co. won 38 games from 67 with a win percentage of 56.71, drawing 13, and losing 16. One fan reacted to his reported impending departure by posting:
"Messi said get out"
Another fan reckons former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez will replace Martino:
"Xavi on the way."
Other fans reacted:
"Personal as in “Beckham told me personally to leave?”" one fan questioned
"Another scapegoat for Pessi’s failures, right Tom," one fan commented
"Surely going to be Xavi at Miami, right? lol," another added
"The personal reason presumably being, "Messi told me to leave"" one fan tweeted
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami dealt blow after journalist provides Neymar Jr transfer update: Reports
Al-Hilal ace Neymar Jr has been linked with a move to Inter Miami in recent weeks. However, the Herons have suffered a blow after journalist Cesar Luis Merlo reported that the Brazilian attacker is set to join former club Santos.
Merlo posted on X (via Inter Miami News):
“Neymar, ready to return to Santos. The club where he made his debut already has an agreement with the 32-year-old footballer. The termination of Al Hilal is being worked on and the idea is to announce it once the tournament that marked Peixe’s (Santos) return to the top flight is over.”
Neymar is currently sidelined with a muscular issue in his thigh. He suffered this fresh injury just two games after returning from a horrific ACL injury that occurred last October. His move to Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 hasn't worked out for either party. This has reportedly led to the 32-year-old wanting a return to Brazilian outfit Santos.
Fans will be disappointed not to see Neymar reunite with Messi at Inter Miami if the reports are true. The two superstars forged a lethal partnership during their time at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017. They then also combined at PSG.
They shared the pitch a total of 206 times for both clubs with a joint goal participation of 67, winning multiple trophies.