Happy on the field, but also off the playing field, Kamal Miller has found a new home in South Florida.
The Canadian international has become a staple of Inter Miami CF’s defensive brigade since his arrival in April from CF Montreal. On Tuesday, he was rewarded with a contract extension through the end of the 2026 MLS season, with an option for 2027.
“Since the trade, it’s been great,” the 26-year-old Torontonian said in an interview. Everyone, without exception, has been wonderful to me. »
The transfer allowed him to reunite with his girlfriend Sheridan Street, who lives in Florida and whom he met at Syracuse University, where they both played soccer.
On the pitch, Miller is today surrounded by a team of stars, playing alongside Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Messi’s arrival, some three months after Miller’s, brought universal attention to the MLS club.
“It was pretty surreal at first,” Miller admitted. Obviously, we didn’t know how to react or what to expect. But every day, it feels like it’s getting easier and easier to acclimate to all the attention and eyes on the team, especially at the global level.
“A lot of people say these guys are very difficult to be around, but they are very relaxed. They’re normal guys. They love the sport (soccer), just like me, and at the end of the day, they want to win. It wasn’t too difficult to adapt and the experience was pleasant,” he added.
But Miller, who is pretty quiet off the field himself, notes that the world-class talent around him means “you have to be ready and play at a higher level.”
“It’s at this level where I needed the most time to adjust, to get used to them and their quality, to find their place and know where they want the ball to be sent to them. But it’s been two months now. We played several matches together. At the end of the day, football speaks for itself and we all want to win. »
According to Miller, Messi is, in fact, an ordinary man who happens to be an extraordinary footballer.
“Everyone has a hard time believing it,” he admitted. At first, I didn’t believe it either. I was like, “Is this comedy? Is this just going to last a few weeks while he gets used to the team?” He communicates with all team members in the same way, as best he can, of course, taking into account the language barrier.
“At the end of the day, he’s just a normal guy,” he said. Very kind. Very polite. He is possibly, even, a better person and a better teammate than he is a soccer player, as crazy as that sounds. »
Inter Miami CF (9-15-6) is experiencing crucial moments in MLS. Before its match on Wednesday at the home of the Chicago Fire, the Florida team occupied 13th place in the Eastern Association, four points from the ninth and last place giving access to the playoffs which, for the moment, holds CF Montreal.
Prior to Wednesday’s game, Messi had missed Inter Miami CF’s previous three games with an injury that head coach Gerardo (Tata) Martino described as a “scar that might open up and to become a bigger problem.”
The 36-year-old Argentine’s last match was on September 20 in Inter Miami CF’s 4-0 home win against Toronto FC.
Not counting Wednesday’s match, the Florida team has an 0-1-2 record since that time, including a 2-1 loss to Houston in the US Cup final.
“We know that every game we go into is a lot like a final,” Miller said. For some time we have been playing final after final. »
Miller was traded to Inter Miami CF for Bryce Duke, a midfielder, and Ariel Lassiter, a forward from Costa Rica.
Miller remains grateful to CF Montreal for facilitating his move to Florida – and the reunion with his partner.
“In the end, both clubs got what they wanted,” Miller believes. As for my personal life, it has improved a lot and become more stable. »
