From'Arconate to MLS title with Messi: the wonderful story of Yannick Bright

It’s not just a great time for the Janniks, but the Yannicks are also no joke when it comes to achievements in the world of Sports. And like Sinner, the protagonist of this splendid tale is Italian. We are talking about Yannick Bright, a midfielder class of 2001 owned by Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami with whom he became MLS champion thanks to a 3-1 victory in the playoff final against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Raised in soccer schools in the Milan area, Bright played for two seasons with l’Arconatese in Serie D, before receiving a scholarship and leaving for the United States.

Luca Giorgetti

In America Bright attended the University of New Hampshire and played for the Whitecats, the college team, with which he achieved good results that allowed him to enter the MLS Super Draft in 2024, becoming the first Italian soccer player to participate. Here he was selected as the 15th pick by the Florida franchise. With the Inter Miami jersey, the Milan-born midfielder collected 72 total appearances among all competitions, scoring one goal and providing three assists. In the last season he contributed to Inter Miami&#8217s first historic triumph in MLS with a goal and an assist in 32 appearances.

In a recent interview with Men’s Health, Bright talked about what it is like to play with Lionel Messi: “He is not one of many words, however, he conveys so much. He has an incredible hunger for success. You might think that after winning everything he would be satisfied, but instead if we train or play badly – and of course if we lose – he still gets very angry. He is an example for all of us and a huge inspiration. As much as possible, I try to imitate him”. There are those who even ask him to do better than everyone, even the’eight-time Ballon d&#8217Gold: “Dad always tells me: ‘You have to be better, even than Messi’. It seems impossible, but I try”.

Thanks to this umpteenth title, Pulce has now reached 48 trophies won in his career (third championship won, after La Liga and Ligue 1). Named MVP of the tournament, the former Barcelona and PSG star told ESPN: “A beautiful and exciting moment for us, for the people of Miami, to be able to reach the MLS goal. It is quite a new club, so to speak. We had won titles before but this was the real goal, to win the MLS and be at the top of the U.S. league, and fortunately we succeeded. We were lucky to play at home, a great joy for the people; so, we have to enjoy it and celebrate properly”.