Gressel on Messi madness at Inter Miami: “Unique opportunity for me”

TM interview

Bavarian-born Julian Gressel has recently started playing for Inter Miami and can call stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba his teammates. At Transfermarkt, the 30-year-old talks about the background to his move, the decision to go to Miami, the interaction with the Argentinian world footballer and he explains how he perceives the hustle and bustle surrounding the prominent teammate.

Transfer market: Mr. Gressel, how have you settled in in Miami so far?

Gressel: It’s getting better every day. The preparation with the many trips around the world was intensive, which made it difficult to gain a foothold straight away. But we quickly found a house and the family is doing well. During the preparation I was able to get to know new countries and cultures. It was also interesting to see how many fans there are of Messi, Suárez & Co. It was crazy to witness that.

Transfer market: Miami is your fifth stop in the MLS and again in a completely different location. How stressful are these moves for you and your family?

Gressel: It’s not that easy, but we’ve now found a good way. Nevertheless, it is always stressful when you move. Especially with two small daughters. But we’ve been lucky so far, the teams have always helped us a lot. It takes a month or two to settle in, but after that it goes quickly. Hopefully we have now found a club where we can stay longer.

Transfer market: Why did you choose Miami? At Kicker you said your wife would have favored a move to New England Revolution.

Gressel: I had other options around the league, but New England and Miami were the two favorites. However, New England didn’t have a coach when I wanted to sign. That’s why it wasn’t a difficult decision in the end, especially when we saw how we can live in Miami and what it’s like at the club. It was a unique opportunity for me and my wife could understand that too. I mean, living in Miami isn’t all bad either. (laughs) You can enjoy the sun here and have a good life.

Julian Gressel on Miami interest, language skills & the hustle and bustle surrounding Messi

Transfer market: What was your reaction when you first heard about Miami’s interest? After all, the club has been on everyone’s lips since Lionel Messi’s arrival.

Gressel: I didn’t really believe it at the beginning. I already knew the coach, Tata (Gerardo Martino; editor), from our time together in Atlanta. We have a very good relationship with each other. When he became coach in Miami and Messi also came, we were in contact briefly. I wished him good luck at the time and he said he wanted a reunion. I didn’t take it entirely seriously and didn’t think much of it. But in the winter, Miami really approached my agent – Tata also contacted me. I was very happy when it became concrete because I like Tata as a coach and of course I knew who was playing here.

Transfer market: How is your Spanish?

Gressel: My Spanish is quite okay. I understand a lot and have built a base in the USA over time. Especially in Atlanta, but every team in MLS has Spanish-speaking groups. It’s even harder for me to speak, I don’t have the vocabulary. Currently I’m learning every day, not intensively, but I try to listen a lot. Hopefully I can talk more in a few months. (laughs)

Transfer market: Can it actually become normal when you play with the best footballer in the world?

Gressel: (laughs) I can answer that again in a few months. Currently, yes, it is still special. It’s crazy when you think about it and think about it. But I don’t always fall into these moments. I come to the training ground and do my work there, as I have done in recent years. It’s not at all the case that I come here and want to impress the four (Messi, Suárez, Busquets, Alab; editor). I’m part of the team and I want to play my best football. I try to help the team. I have now found my way and feel comfortable in the cabin.

Teammates at Inter Miami: Julian Gressel and Lionel Messi

Transfer market: How do you perceive the hustle and bustle surrounding Messi?

Gressel: It’s not easy to put this into words. I also have to focus on the fact that I’m playing football with him – and not being a fan. It’s a lot, if I’m honest. At the away game in Los Angeles, it was crazy how many people were waiting outside the hotel. Even when I go to training in Miami, there are people waiting there.

Transfer market: Because Messi plays on the right wing, you are not used in your regular position, but in central midfield. How are you coping with that?

Gressel: I already played the midfield role under Tata in Atlanta. So it’s not new for me, I can play there. But here the dynamic is different. Busquets on the six, Messi as the right winger, Suárez up front. It’s different, but you just have to get used to it. I still have the opportunity to rotate a lot to the right because Messi moves inwards a lot. There’s a lot going on about him: what he does, how he moves, which rooms he uses. Our goal is for him to get the ball and have plenty of time and space. It’ll definitely take some time until we’re in tune with each other, but it’s getting better with every game, training session and conversation.

Transfer market: What can we expect from Miami this season? Is the championship almost mandatory?

Gressel: Of course there is pressure, but that’s normal. In my opinion it is a good print. There are a lot of teams that just want to get into the play-offs. I would rather be on a team that wants to be first. We have the players for that. We are in good spirits, we are favorites in every competition. Hopefully we get a lot of wins.

Transfer market: You played six international matches for the USA and were last in the squad in July. Do you hope to return to the US team via Miami? After all, the Copa América is coming up in 2024 and the World Cup two years later – each in their own country.

Gressel: Not really. It would of course be a nice step to return to the national team and make a few more international appearances. But I’m concentrating on playing well in Miami. I want to gain a foothold here quickly – and if I play well, an issue like the national team will automatically come up again. But it’s not just my decision, all I can control is my performance here.

Interview: Pascal Martin (p_martin)

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