Guillermo Hoyos Defends Lionel Messi’s Influence on Inter Miami’s Coaching Direction

Guillermo Hoyos has addressed ongoing speculation regarding Lionel Messi’s role in Inter Miami’s search for a new head coach. Speaking to reporters following a training session, the departing coach provided perspective on the influence a player of Messi’s global standing naturally holds as the club reportedly nears an agreement with Kily González.

“I think he possesses an intelligence consistent with players of his personality and greatness,” Hoyos remarked, asserting that Messi’s profound understanding of the game grants him a voice comparable to other elite athletes. He suggested that such a dynamic is common across professional football, noting, “I imagine it must be that way in different places too, everywhere.”

To emphasize his point, Hoyos cited Boca Juniors, noting that Leandro Paredes is frequently consulted on institutional matters. “At Boca Juniors, Paredes is consulted because he is an emblem of the club, and his perspective carries significant weight regarding a coach’s arrival or continuity,” Hoyos explained, framing the practice as a standard approach for clubs leaning on their most respected figures.

However, when asked if the pursuit of González was specifically Messi’s initiative, Hoyos clarified that “it’s the institution” that makes the ultimate decision. While he acknowledged that a player of Messi’s caliber is naturally part of the conversation, he stressed that the final authority rests with the club’s leadership.

Hoyos to Miss Upcoming Inter Miami Fixtures

These comments arrive as Hoyos’ tenure on the Inter Miami bench reaches its conclusion. MLS has suspended him for Saturday’s clash against CF Montreal due to repeated violations of the league’s late kickoff policy, leaving assistants Rafael Perez and Rodrigo Vargas to manage the sidelines.

With González’s appointment seemingly imminent, Hoyos is expected to transition away from the first team and return to his original role within Inter Miami’s youth academy—mirroring the environment where he first worked with a young Messi at Barcelona’s La Masia.

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