“How well they kick, it’s amazing”
A German is the man at Messi’s side
March 24, 2024, 7:15 p.m
In Germany, footballer Julian Gressel only plays in the fourth division. But through contacts he managed to make the jump to the MLS: there, after several stages, he suddenly became a valued teammate of Lionel Messi.
Julian Gressel was “pretty nervous” when he entered the Inter Miami dressing room for the first time. Not because he was the new guy, he was that way more often than not in his seven years in the North American professional soccer league MLS. But now, for the first time, he met a teammate who couldn’t be more unique: Lionel Messi. What do you say? “I’m Julian, nice to meet you, how are you – that’s it.”
Of course it didn’t stop there. The 30-year-old Gressel plays a key role at Inter Miami. He is the man on and on Messi’s side: on the right behind, next to or even in front of him. “It worked out really well,” says the Middle Franconian native. But it still seems like a “dream” to him, and there are often “moments where I take a deep breath and think: It’s crazy that you’re allowed to play here.”
It’s somehow fairytale-like. In Germany, Gressel, born in Neustadt an der Aisch in Middle Franconia, played in the fourth division at most. Then he ended up in the USA through contacts on Facebook. Played college in Providence, Rhode Island. Was selected by Atlanta United in the draft, was rookie of the year in 2017, champion in 2018. Went to Washington in 2020. Then to Vancouver. Moved to Columbus in 2023. Won the MLS title there again.
“These are completely normal people”
And now: Inter Miami. Messi. Luis Suarez. Sergio Busquets. Jordi Alba. In fact, co-owner David Beckham’s club really wanted him, specifically “Tata” Martino, who was already Gressel’s coach in Atlanta. New England Revolution from Boston, the home of his wife Casey, also courted Gressel. In the end, however, the prospect of playing with all the stars was too tempting, “too dominant in my head” and “too good to be true.”
Gressel has now given up his initial awe of the big names. “They are completely normal people, it was very easy to integrate.” It helps that he is improving his basic knowledge of Spanish every day. On the drive to training, Gressel listens to Spanish podcasts, “school on wheels,” he calls it. Training at Inter Miami is held in Spanish anyway. And Messi’s English isn’t the best.
Despite all the years in the MLS, it’s a new world for Gressel. First there was his dream of becoming a professional footballer, now he is living it alongside a world star, a world champion. It’s like the crowning achievement of one’s career, says Gressel. And, especially because of the hustle and bustle surrounding Messi, “a completely different life – it’s crazy, very special.” He is also impressed by the level of his teammates: “How well they can kick is amazing.”
The chance to shine alongside Messi may bring Gressel, who has also had a US passport since his marriage, a little closer to the national team of his second home. He has played six international matches so far, but national coach Gregg Berhalter has not been in touch for a long time. “I just have to continue to perform at Miami,” says Gressel. And it’s not just Messi who knows what they have in him.