Matuldi specializes in gritty play, defense
The World Cup champion should bring meaningful impact to team
Inter Miami CF acquired a game-changer when they signed French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi.
A former teammate of David Beckham at Paris Saint-Germain, Matuidi has been one of the elite midfielders for the past decade — winning multiple titles with some of Europe’s best soccer clubs in Juventus and PSG, and being a starter for the France national men’s soccer team that won the 2018 World Cup — making him the only World Cup winner to currently be in Major League Soccer.
Matuidi should make a meaningful impact on Inter Miami when he suits up for them, though, both sides will have to wait as he isn’t expected to be available when the team resumes its inaugural MLS season in its homeopener against Orlando City SC on Aug. 22.
“He’s undoubtedly a player of a very high caliber,” Inter Miami coach Diego Alonso told Inter Miami’s official website. “We were monitoring him for a while and luckily we were able to close the deal.”
But what kind of player is Matuidi? And how exactly will he help an Inter Miami team that’s lost their first five games in Major League Soccer?
First off, Matuidi isn’t the prolific goal-scorer fans have been clamoring for and Inter Miami remains searching for with their last designated player spot. He’s recorded 48 goals and 43 assists in 651 matches throughout his club-level senior career, but that isn’t the breadand-butter of his game.
Matuidi is a gritty boxto-box central midfielder, meaning he has the skill set to help possess the ball and push the attack offensively but will also help the team with strong tackling and defensive positioning. He won 210 tackles and recorded 114 interceptions during his 133 total appearances with Juventus, while also scoring eight goals and recording assists.
Matuidi is known for his off-ball movement, creating passing lanes and space for his teammates on the attack while closing them out defensively and slowing down counterattacks.
Inter Miami can use him as more than a central midfielder if they choose to, as Matuidi played as a defensive midfielder, winger and left back during his career.
“He will surely provide us with all of his quality on the pitch,” Alonso said. “He’s a very dynamic player. It’s something we’ve been on the lookout for. A player that can help the team be more dynamic, that contributes quality in midfield and who can help us make a jump forward.
“He’s a versatile player who can play in several positions, be it centrally or out wide in midfield. That speaks to his ability. We are very happy with what he can provide for us on the pitch. Off the field, all the reports we received are exceptional. He’s a great guy, a great professional that will help us improve.”
Alonso added that bringing in Matuidi reflects the mission Inter Miami has in their first MLS season.
“Bringing in a World Cup-winning player that was playing for Juventus and still has a lot of good football to give shows the club’s ambition, the ambition of each one of us that are a part of this organization,” Alonso said. “We want winning players, players with a great present and that can help us build a great future so that we can compete against the best teams in MLS.”