Inter Miami squad learning Spanish for Lionel Messi after adopting 'strict Barcelona rule'

The Inter Miami players are doing everything they can to keep in Lionel Messi's good books after it emerged that some are learning Spanish to communicate better with the Argentinian.

Messi joined the MLS side from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer and has not looked back since, scoring 11 goals in 14 games and leading Miami to their first ever piece of silverware, the Leagues Cup.

And it appears that his teammates are so appreciative of his contribution that they are willing to learn an entirely new language.

That's according to Inter Miami midfielder Edison Azcona, who revealed that certain members of the squad are learning to speak the seven time Ballon d'Or winner's mother tongue.

"I have not heard Leo speak English," Azcona told Florida based newspaper, Infobae.

"Sometimes, he has said, 'Good morning' when he comes in, but those who speak English and do not know Spanish are learning to speak Spanish.”

Azcona also admitted that the team had copied the 'rule' Lionel Messi used while playing for Barcelona, which prohibited players from injuring the 36-year-old in training.

“Everyone understands that we are not going to try to hurt [Messi]," the Dominican Republic international added. "One tries to defend, but they are a little more careful.

“We don't let him play in the games we play among ourselves, we defend him, but with caution. Nobody gets into it very hard.”

It was a decision also taken by the Barcelona players, when Messi was playing at the Camp Nou in order to keep him match fit.

Nice defender Jean-Claire Todibo, who played five times for the Spanish side, was one of those who had to observe the training rule.

Lifting the lid on how he approached the situation, Todibo told German publication Bild, (quotes via Marca): "We all knew that he couldn't get injured.

"Messi was defended very carefully in training. I learned a lot from Messi and I even tackled him a few times, but I was careful not to hurt him."

Now it is Inter Miami's turn to wrap the World Cup winner in cotton wool, after Messi revealed he plans to keep himself in the best shape in order to represent Argentina.

"I will train, I will play our upcoming match [against Charlotte FC] and I will try to get here [to the national team] in the best possible way for November," he after Argentina's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru.

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