Lionel Messi has officially found a new close friend at Inter Miami after hitting out with teammate Josef Martinez.

During Messi’s first training session with Herons, Martinez was right next to Messi and talked a lot with the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

The Venezuelan clearly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with his new team-mate and the two sat side by side on the bench at DRV PNK Stadium against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup. They were then brought on at the same time in the second half, along with former Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets.

Messi went on to score a winning goal with a free ƙick in the 94th minute that helped Gerard ‘Tata’ Martino’s side actually announce his arrival in the US.

The 36-year-old contributed the goal and victory to teammate Ian Fray after he picked up another headache in the match.

But Messi and another new colleague at Martinez appeared to be best friends as footage showed the former Atlanta United player lowering his chair in front of the Barcelona legend so he could have a better view from the bench.

Compatriots Sergio Aguero and Rodrigo De Paul are two of Messi’s closest friends but fans suggest that Martinez may just be giving them some money.

One said: “Messi has found his club’s De Paul.”

The second joked: “Someone should check out Rodrigo De Paul.”

The third added: “My favorite friendship.”

Another commented: “That guy has been nice to Messi since he arrived.. Even during training.”

The fifth admitted: “Listen, I’d beg for it too if I were to play alongside the greatest man to ever ƙick the ball.”Messi and Martinez showed some promising bonding as they worked well together on the pitch and even coordinated to score despite being flagged offside.

When Messi rushed off to celebrate the world’s last, Martinez was the first to embrace him.

The MLS record-breaker has been closely linked with Premier League newcomers Luton Town but he doesn’t seem tempted with Messi by his side.