Playing alongside Messi, Inter Miami star 'almost fainted'

Lionel Messi's arrival not only elevated Inter Miami to MLS prominence but also marked an incredible turning point in the careers of many players, including young midfielder Yannick Bright.

When discussing the impact Lionel Messi has made since joining Inter Miami, most attention usually focuses on the club's significant professional progress, which has established it as the top team in MLS, as well as the revolution he has brought to American soccer through aspects like marketing, ticket sales, fan subscriptions, and many other factors.

However, another remarkable aspect is the career transformation experienced by dozens of players who unexpectedly got the chance to play alongside or against one of football’s greatest legends—something that just a few years ago seemed unimaginable to them.

Yannick Bright is one of those players. Having developed at Arconatese in Italy’s Serie D in 2019, this midfielder moved to the U.S. in 2023 to join North Carolina Fusion’s U23 team before being selected by Inter Miami in the MLS 2024 preseason draft.

Now an important member of “The Herons,” Bright shared his feelings about playing with Messi: “Winning alongside him is truly unbelievable. If someone had told me this a few years ago, I definitely wouldn’t have believed it,” Yannick admitted in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Recalling his first impressions when joining the team and meeting Messi for the first time, the Italian midfielder couldn’t hide his emotion: “The first time I saw him, I almost fainted… I wondered what I was doing there, but then realized I had no choice but to prove myself worthy,” Bright recounted. “He’s very humble, carries a special aura. Off the pitch he’s calm, but on it, he’s like a beast.”

Besides Lionel Messi, Inter Miami has also acquired numerous big stars in recent years, helping elevate the team and turning them into the strongest club in MLS. Yannick Bright also took time to talk about these famous teammates.

“Playing like Busquets is almost impossible,” the 2001-born midfielder confessed, given he plays a similar role to Sergio and has shared responsibilities with the veteran over the past two years: “I remember Alba once corrected me for a pass that was already perfect, but the ball’s speed wasn’t right,” Bright added, referring to another star in the squad.

Not only the players, but even the head coach and one of the club owners are former legends with extensive experience at the highest levels of world football. Speaking about Javier Mascherano, Bright expressed gratitude for the “closeness and trust” the coach showed him, while describing David Beckham as “a pure source of motivation who always greets every player before each match.”

According to plans, Inter Miami will regroup in early January under coach Javier Mascherano to begin the most intense fitness training phase. At the end of the month, the team will embark on a South American tour featuring friendlies in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Lionel Messi’s official season with his teammates will start on February 21, when Inter Miami visits Los Angeles FC for the MLS 2026 opener. Additionally, on March 11, they will begin their journey in the Concacaf Champions Cup, facing the winner of the match between Nashville SC and Atletico Ottawa.