Julian Gressel embarked on his journey with Inter Miami much like any newcomer would when joining a team with a star of Lionel Messi’s caliber. First, he took to the streets for a run to acclimatize himself to his new surroundings.
Following that, he indulged in a binge-watch session of old Barcelona highlights on YouTube, immersing himself in the world of his celebrated new teammate. Then, he tackled the logistics of relocating to South Florida, marking his transition as Inter’s second signing of the offseason.
Soon after, he made the decision to invest in a subscription to Babbel, a language-learning platform, knowing full well the linguistic demands that awaited him.
As a German American midfielder, Gressel had already dabbled in Spanish during his seven-year stint in Major League Soccer. His dedication to learning the language was evident from his impressive 1,000-day streak on Duolingo.
However, his move to Miami spurred him to take his language learning to a more serious level. Now, he dedicates a significant portion of his day to Babbel lessons, complemented by Spanish-learning podcasts during his morning commute, turning his car into what he humorously calls a “Spanish school on wheels.”
Upon arrival at Inter’s Fort Lauderdale facility, Gressel found himself amidst colleagues who predominantly conversed in Spanish. Head coach Tata Martino conducted training sessions in the language, with assistant coach Javi Morales providing English translations for key instructions.
The influx of Hispanic players, along with the presence of Messi and the Argentine coaching staff, solidified the club’s transition into a Spanish-first environment.
For those not fluent in Spanish, the motivation to bridge the language gap was clear. As Morales aptly put it, having Lionel Messi on your team served as ample incentive to be able to communicate effectively with him.
Despite Messi’s limited English proficiency, he made efforts to communicate with his teammates in their native language when necessary. Gressel recounted an instance during a friendly match where Messi approached him and conveyed tactical instructions in English, surprising Gressel with his proficiency.
While Messi’s grasp of English remains a work in progress, his commitment to learning the language is evident, as confirmed by his teammates.
Gressel himself has endeavored to assist Messi in his English learning journey, albeit with mixed results. However, other teammates, such as Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, already possess a strong command of English, facilitating communication within the team.
The cultural and linguistic exchange within Inter Miami mirrors the broader trend in international soccer, where language barriers have been a longstanding challenge. Morales, drawing from his own experiences, emphasized the importance of language in fostering bonds within a team.
The integration of Spanish and English within Inter Miami not only facilitates communication on the field but also nurtures camaraderie among players. Efforts to learn each other’s languages, even if imperfect, contribute to a more cohesive and inclusive team environment, as highlighted by Gressel’s interactions with his Spanish-speaking teammates.
Ultimately, the journey to linguistic proficiency is a rewarding one, both personally and professionally, as it fosters connections and unity among players from diverse backgrounds.
