Luis Enrique
“Facing Inter Miami? To be perfectly honest, it’s less about the club and more about one man—Lionel Messi. When you prepare to play against Inter Miami, what you’re really preparing for is how to handle Messi. And that’s where the real challenge begins. Because Messi isn’t just another player in the lineup—he’s the heartbeat of any team he plays for.
It’s funny, because no matter how many years go by, Messi doesn’t change in the ways that matter. He still draws all the attention, still plays with the same brilliance, still stuns you with the things he can do. Talent like his doesn’t fade with age. For most players, time takes its toll—but Messi? He’s the exception. Age is just a number for him. He plays now with the same magic he had a decade ago, and maybe even more intelligence and control.
You know, I’ve had the privilege to coach some of the greatest players in football history. Legends. And Messi was one of them. But there’s a unique problem when one of those legends keeps playing, and keeps playing against you! And he seems to take a little too much joy in showing up his former coaches! [Laughs]
There’s a very specific kind of helplessness a coach feels when facing Messi. You’ve studied him more than any other player. You know his habits, his tendencies, how he reads the game. You can play out the whole match in your head—anticipate his runs, his dribbles, his passes—and yet, when the game starts, all of that goes out the window. Because even when you know what’s coming, you can’t stop him. He’s that good.
Even if he’s not at 100%, even if he’s just jogging or using one foot, he can shift a match in a single moment. And if—no, when—he scores, I’ll probably look straight into the camera and say: ‘Well, this is exactly what I expected from the greatest player I’ve ever coached.’ Then, just to keep up appearances, maybe I’ll kick a water bottle on the touchline to pretend I’m furious! [Laughs again]
But between you and me? Deep down, there’s something special about watching him work his magic—even when it’s against you. Because no one, not one coach in the world, has figured out how to truly stop Messi. And in a strange way, being part of that experience—watching him dismantle your defense—is a rare kind of joy. It’s painful, yes. But it’s beautiful too. Because you’re witnessing greatness in real time.”
