FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright remembers the first time he met Lionel Messi. He was in the club’s training room, looking for cleats. And he saw the Argentine World Cup champion walking toward him.
“I turned around, and saw him walking up to me. I was like ‘Oh my God.’ I felt like passing out,” Bright told USA TODAY Sports. “There were so many thoughts and emotions going on at that time. But after playing with him every day, you get used to it. That first time was awesome.”
Bright and Messi will have even more time to play together after they signed contract extensions for at least three more seasons in the last week.
“The job is not done. I got bigger goals in mind,” Bright said before Wednesday’s training session, as Inter Miami prepares to face Nashville SC on the road in Game 2 of their first-round series in the MLS Cup playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Two years into his MLS career, Bright has become an important midfielder among Inter Miami’s set of World Cup champions.
Bright carved out significant playing time next to former Barcelona star and Spanish World Cup champion Sergio Busquets, who will retire at the end of the season, and Argentine World Cup champion Rodrigo De Paul, whose loan option is expected to be picked up at the end of this season.
While terms of the deal were not disclosed, Bright certainly acknowledged he has a little bit more money to spend. He was Inter Miami’s lowest paid player, earning $83,647 in guaranteed compensation with his contract set to expire after the 2025 season.
Bright may not get a new place – he has a long lease he signed already. He said he may buy something for his parents, to repay them for all they did to support him through college and his rookie season with Inter Miami last year.
A native of Milan, Italy, Bright earned First Team All-America, America East All-Academic Team and America East All-Conference First Team honors, and was named America East Midfielder of the Year as a senior at the University of New Hampshire in 2023.
He was a first-round pick in the MLS Superdraft in 2024, helping Inter Miami set a regular-season record 74 points and winning the Supporters’ Shield. He has a goal and two assists in 68 total appearances, where his presence as a stout defender has been helpful as Inter Miami pursues its first MLS Cup this postseason.
“I think what’s nice about my story is that I’m just a normal guy. I came to the U.S. just to study. And then through hard work and resilience, I made it. So, if I did it, I think anybody can,” Bright said.
“I think everybody should always put in hard work, resilience, never stop, and no matter what happens. And I think that’s what makes the story better.
“I wasn’t even supposed to play soccer. And I ended up getting a new deal in Inter Miami, playing with the best of the best. Anything can happen – to anyone.”
Messi and Inter Miami know this well, too. Inter Miami was up 1-0 in the MLS Cup playoffs against Atlanta United last season, before their season was upended two matches later, falling in a decisive Game 3 on their home pitch and being eliminated from the postseason.
Bright and his Inter Miami teammates know they can close out Nashville in Game 2 – but a third consecutive victory against that team will be difficult.
“We’re going to try our best no matter how many times we’re going to play in Nashville. Hopefully, it’s the last one,” Bright said.
At least, Bright knows he can count on Messi – who scored a hat trick with an assist on Decision Day at Nashville on Oct. 18, then scored a brace with an assist in Game 1 at Inter Miami on Oct. 25.
“He’s a GOAT,” Bright said of Messi. “It’s just amazing to see how easy he makes it look. His hunger to never stop, his hunger to get more every time – you can learn a lot from it. And it’s amazing to witness. I’m super grateful to be here to witness it, and hopefully, he can keep doing it for a lot more years.”