Nineteen days waiting on a work permit
Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez landed in Miami from Argentina on Tuesday morning and ran his first training session that afternoon. Inter Miami agreed terms with him on August 27. The paperwork took the rest.
The Argentine replaces interim coach Guillermo Hoyos on a contract that runs through June 2028. He could not start work until his permit cleared, which left the appointment announced but unusable for nearly three weeks while the team played on without him.
“What were these past few days like? To be honest, they were filled with a lot of anticipation,” Gonzalez said. “It had been nearly two and a half weeks and I couldn’t be here, but this unique opportunity, something I hadn’t even dared to dream of, became a reality.”
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Back alongside Messi, 21 years later
Gonzalez and Lionel Messi shared a pitch for Argentina in two World Cup qualifiers in 2005. They meet again with the roles reversed.
“There are things in football that simply cannot be described in words; they are unique feelings. I feel privileged and blessed to have this opportunity and to share the fantastic relationship I have with Leo,” Gonzalez said. “I adore him, he knows it, and that makes this moment even more special.”
David Beckham watched the session. So did a squad that has won once in its last nine games, a run that has flattened the mood even though Miami still sit second in the Eastern Conference on 45 points from 25 matches.
A final, immediately
There is no easing in. Miami host Cruz Azul at Nu Stadium on Wednesday night in the Campeones Cup, against the reigning Liga MX champions, with Gonzalez on the touchline for the first time.
“When it comes to playing a match like this, it’s a final. There is no time to dwell on the past, the only thing that matters is looking ahead to tomorrow,” Luis Suarez said. “We’ve come through a challenging run of games, but now we face the best possible scenario: playing a final and moving forward with a new coach who brings great positive energy.”
San Diego visit on Sunday after that. Miami need the league points rather more than they need the ceremony.
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