Lionel Messi Takes Hilarious Jab at Newcomer Matias Rojas During Inter Miami Training- “Come On”

Sergio Busquets now has a new midfield partner to help play ace passes to Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the frontline. Inter Miami, on Wednesday, acquired Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas as a free agent. Rojas joins the Herons with an impressive resume he built after plying his trade across South America. Upon lacing up for training in the Miami camp, Messi and other pals gave the Paraguayan a funny welcome worth remembering. Messi’s first words to his new teammate were nothing but playful banter.

Lately, it has become ceremonial for players to gather on either side of the pitch and pat or playfully beat their team’s new signing. Matias Rojas’ first day of training was no outlier. In a clip shared by All About Argentina on X, Tata Martino could be seen introducing Rojas to his new teammates. Soon enough, Lionel Messi, the captain, greeted the 28-year-old with a playful dig. “The Paraguayan has less desire. Come on, Paraguayan, come on,” Leo Messi said. Thereafter, Messi and other stars ceremoniously gave a beating to Matias Rojas.

Per Matias Rojas’ Inter Miami deal, he will be a mainstay in Fort Lauderdale throughout 2024. He also has options to extend his contract till 2025 and 2026. Most recently, Rojas played for Brazilian top-tier powerhouse Corinthians. The midfielder has also plied his trade for Cerro Porteno in Paraguay, and Racing Club de Avellaneda in Argentina. “I’m happy, joining a spectacular club like Inter Miami is a dream come true. I’m excited to compete and help my teammates achieve the team’s objectives,” said Rojas. The Paraguayan will indeed be on cloud nine to join Miami because he once candidly revealed that Lionel Messi is his idol.

When Rojas labeled Lionel Messi ‘the best of all time’

This is not the first time Matias Rojas has crossed paths with Lionel Messi. The 28-year-old had faced the 2022 World Champion in an Argentina-Paraguay tie in 2019. Rojas’ side contained the 8x Ballon d’Or winner and team to a 1-1 draw. However, the Paraguayan had nothing but lavish praises for Messi after the game. “Playing against Messi was the best thing that happened to me in football, so far. I fulfilled a dream. He is an idol, the best of all time. There is, there was not and there will not be another player like Messi,” said Matias Rojas.

Since Rojas profoundly admires the Miami skipper, the two could easily build a warm chemistry in the Herons’ locker room and catapult the team to further success. Inter Miami is currently the top seed in the MLS Eastern Conference table. The Herons play the New England Revolution on Saturday. Martino will perhaps pair Rojas with Messi during the New England tie.