ACCORDING TO COACH MARTINO, LIONEL MESSI IS GOING TO CAPTAIN INTER MIAMI.

Lionel Messi, the World Cup winner, will take over as Inter Miami’s new captain, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team’s head coach Tata Martino announced on Monday.

Messi, who joined Miami earlier this month, made his team debut on Friday against Cruz Azul of Liga MX while wearing the captain’s armband. The Argentine forward scored a stoppage-time free-kick in the match.

Brazilian midfielder Gregore, who served as the team’s previous captain, will likely miss a significant amount of time due to a foot injury.

Martino responded to a question about whether Messi would continue to lead Miami by saying, “The other day he was (captain) too, when he joined. Indeed, he will.

Tuesday sees Inter Miami play Atlanta United to finish the two-game group stage with hopes of moving on to the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup, a World Cup-style competition that includes all MLS and Liga MX teams.