“Taught me a lot” - Inter Miami star opens up on why Lionel Messi ‘yelled’ at him

Inter Miami midfielder Baltasar Rodriguez has opened up on his relationship with club captain Lionel Messi after their season together. Both players featured prominently for the Herons as they picked up a maiden MLS Cup trophy at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Rodriguez spoke with Diario Ole about his time on loan at the Chase Stadium, having spent the 2025 season with the club. He specifically revealed that Lionel Messi was very much a jovial person but also yelled at him to teach him things during games.

"Messi taught me a lot and also yelled at me when needed so I’d understand the game. He taught me when to do things and when not to. "I used to ask him a lot about my position and where I could make the difference. ‘You stand here and you’ll make the difference,’ he’d tell me. "And then, just for laughs, that little guy is something else, he jokes around a lot. And when De Paul arrived, they became even stronger. The two of them together are something else", he said (via @AlbicelesteTalk).

The 22-year-old midfielder joined Inter Miami from Argentine outfit Racing Club on an initial loan deal this year, making his debut in the MLS in May. The youngster appeared 22 times for the club across all competitions, scoring three goals and providing two assists in those appearances.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano recruited Rodriguez, who played for his Argentina U-23 team, to play alongside Lionel Messi and co. The deal that brought the midfielder to the MLS was a loan deal until the end of the 2025 season, but includes an option to be made permanent.

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami set to sign Argentine right-back: Reports

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami are closing in on a deal for right-back Facundo Mura on a permanent basis, as per reports. The 26-year-old defender is in talks to sign with the MLS champions on a free transfer after his deal with Racing Club reached its end.

According to CL Merlo (via GOAL), Mura has turned down offers from Racing Club and River Plate in a bid to pursue his interest in moving to the MLS. The defender has agreed on a deal that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2029 season.

Lionel Messi saw Marcelo Weigandt leave Inter Miami at the end of his loan spell from Boca Juniors this month and will be pleased to see his side sign a replacement. Mura will join fellow full-scale Sergio Reguilon in signing for the Herons ahead of the new season.

Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen