Martino: Messi and Busquets coming to Inter Miami to win trophies, not for a holiday

New Inter Miami manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino insisted Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets are joining the club to win trophies, and not for a holiday.

Martino was on Wednesday confirmed as the new manager of the Major League Soccer side, and will soon reunite with Messi and Busquets having coached the pair during his season at Barcelona in 2013/14.

Martino, who also worked with Messi when he was Argentina manager, said he had spoken to the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and former Spain midfielder Busquets about their impending moves to the club.

"Sometimes in our world you associate United States and Miami with holidays. And it's not that. They are coming to compete," he told a press conference on Thursday.

"They are coming from winning world titles, Spanish league titles. They are not going to relax. They will compete because it is in their blood."

Martino takes over Miami with the club bottom of the Eastern Conference having lost their last seven games. They are ranked 27th out of the 29 clubs in MLS, but the former Mexico and Atlanta United coach said there was still the chance to salvage something from this season.

"One is to see if we can make the playoffs. Right now that seems like a stretch, but as long as we have the possibility we can't stop trying," he said.

"We are in a good place in the US Open Cup, and now there's a new tournament, Leagues Cup, that we will aim for. After that, the goal is to build for 2024."

Sporting Director Chris Henderson said the club would be making more changes to their squad in the coming weeks, and hopes Messi will arrive at the club in time to make his debut on July 21.

Gerardo Martino worked with Lionel Messi for one season at Barcelona. AP

"Come late August we're going to have a