INTERludes: Young Herons’ ‘postgraduate’ training; Inter II begins its season

Young Herons earning ‘postgraduate degree’ from legendary teammates

A lot has been written about “the Messi Effect” since the greatest soccer player of all time decided to bring his incomparable talent and global appeal to Inter Miami and Major League Soccer. The icon helped change the way MLS does business, launched his team and league into the international spotlight, boosted ticket prices and jersey sales, and provided him numerous business opportunities.

Oh, he also helped the Herons earn their first two major trophies (the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters Shield); he and his former Barcelona teammates — legends Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez — have made Inter Miami contenders for every competition they enter and a team every opponent marks on its schedule.

Just as important, in my mind, is the influence these consummate professionals are having on their teammates, especially the Herons’ talented young players.

Telasco Segovia, 21, plays midfield for Inter Miami and the Venezuelan national team. Fernando Batista told Segovia, who joined the Herons this offseason, to learn as much as he could from the “Big Four.”

“I told Segovia, ‘You are earning a postgraduate degree in football,’ playing alongside Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba — players who have competed at the highest levels and are champions,” Batista told the Spanish-language show “Sale y se acaba” earlier this week, according to Charles Boehm in an article for MLSsoccer.com. It’s an excellent read, check it out here.