Inter Miami player gives brutally honest confession about playing with Messi: ‘I almost fainted’

When discussing the impact Lionel Messi‘s arrival on InterMiami has had, emphasis is usually placed on the sporting growth of the club, which is now firmly established as the strongest team in the world Major League Football– and about the revolution it has revolutionized soccer in the United States through marketing, ticket sales, subscriptions and more.

However, there is another remarkable aspect: the transformation in the careers of dozens of players who suddenly found themselves playing alongside (or against) one of the greatest legends in football history, something that seemed unthinkable to them just a few years ago.

Yannick Helder is one of them. Developed at Arconatesis in Italy Series D in 2019, the midfielder arrived in the United States in 2023 to join the Under-23 team of North Carolina Merger before being drafted by InterMiami ahead of the 2024 MLS season.

Now firmly established as a key player for the Herons, Bright reflected on what it means to him to be Messi’s teammate. “Winning with him is incredible. If they had told me a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it.” Yannick admitted during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Recalling his first impressions when he joined the team and met Messi, the Italian midfielder was candid. “The first time I saw it I almost fainted… I wondered what I was doing therebut I understood that I had no choice but to live by it,” said Bright. “He is modest, with a special appearance. Peace of the field, an animal on it.”

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Messi isn’t the only star who impressed Bright

In addition to Lionel Messi, Inter Miami has had a group of superstars in recent years who have helped raise the level of the team and make them the strongest club in the world. Major League Football. Yannick Bright also spoke about those players.

‘Playing like Busquets is almost impossible’ admitted the midfielder, who plays in a similar position to Sergio and has shared responsibilities with him on numerous occasions over the past two years. “I remember Alba correcting me for a perfect pass because it didn’t come at the right speed.he added, referring to another star in the squad.

Moreover, even the head coach and one of the club’s owners are former players with extensive experience at the top level of world football. Speaking of Javier Mascherano, Bright said he is grateful “for his closeness and trust,‘as he described David Beckham as “pure motivation, he always comes to greet us one by one before the matches.”

What’s next for Inter Miami?

In early January, Inter Miami will return to training under head coach Javier Mascherano to begin the most demanding phase of their physical preparation. Later in the month, the team embarks on a South American tourin which they will play several friendly matches in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador.

The official season kicks off on February 21 for Lionel Messi and his teammates when they kick off the 2026 Major League Soccer campaign against FC Los Angeles. In addition, they will start their on March 11 Concacaf Champions Cup run against the winner of the matchup between Nashville SC And Atletico Ottawa.