- Shamser Khalid
Inter Miami 'Starstruck' by Messi & Busquets, Says Taylor
Inter Miami winger Robert Taylor recently opened up about the jaw-dropping experience of having Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets join the team. Speaking to the Miami Herald, Taylor revealed that the locker room was starstruck when the two Barcelona legends first walked in back in June.
"Everyone was a bit starstruck," Taylor admitted. "Of course, the first time I saw Messi in the changing room, I was like, 'Whoa, like, this is crazy,' but I was never intimidated by him or Busquets because they are such nice guys, always smiling."
For Taylor and his teammates, having players of Messi and Busquets' caliber on the same squad was a dream come true. "If anything, it just makes me so excited to come to training every morning knowing that I can train with these players and be around them, and they can make me a better player," Taylor shared with excitement.
Indeed, Taylor has thrived since playing alongside Messi and Busquets. In a memorable Leagues Cup match against Atlanta United, Taylor showcased his talent, scoring two goals and providing an assist, matching Messi's impressive performance on the stat sheet. It's clear that Taylor is already taking full advantage of the privilege of sharing the field with two of the world's finest footballers.
Reflecting on the match, Taylor couldn't help but heap praise on Lionel Messi. "I think everyone sees what he does," Taylor said. "He can do everything on the ball. He can keep it in tight spaces, he makes the right decisions 100% of the time. Every time he has the ball, I just try to get in behind and make a run for him."
The understanding between Taylor and Messi on the field was evident as they linked up brilliantly to create scoring opportunities. "Most of the time, he'll find one of our teammates making a run for sure," Taylor said, highlighting Messi's exceptional vision and passing ability. "He brings so much quality to the team."
It's no secret that Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the best player in the world, and Taylor acknowledged the privilege of sharing the pitch with the Argentine maestro. "He is the best player in the world, so this is what he does," Taylor said joyfully. "He scored two goals, he scored last game, he gets another assist. It's just a dream come true to play with him."
With such extraordinary talent in the squad, the atmosphere within Inter Miami has become one of excitement and motivation. Players are eager to learn from Messi and Busquets, and the entire team has benefitted from their presence both on and off the field.
The experience of training and playing alongside these football icons has been invaluable for the entire squad. Taylor noted, "Most of the players would agree that it's just exciting. Everyone wants to play with the best players in the world. And we are privileged enough to be able to do that."
Taylor, the team's best ball juggler, loves playing billiards. He used to compete in freestyle soccer, impressing everyone with his eye-popping juggling tricks until he turned 14. Even now, he occasionally showcases his skills while juggling with his Inter Miami teammates. When asked if he has demonstrated his abilities to Messi, Taylor smiled and replied, "Not yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he can perform all the tricks. After all, he is Leo Messi."
