Robert Taylor in dreamland after his new teammate Lionel Messi celebrates his goal
From discussing his future on the non-league Lincoln Moorlands Railway bench to Lionel Messi celebrating his goal, the story of Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor is something else entirely.
The eyes of the football world were on the DRV PNK Stadium on Friday night as the Argentine magician began his new chapter in the United States.
Messi's Miami debut spanned years and was well worth the wait as he came off the bench to score a stunning free kick against Cruz Azul in stoppage time.
The 2-1 Coupe de la Ligue win was a dream start for the 36-year-old and a surreal moment for new teammates like Taylor, who also played alongside Sergio Busquets for the first time.
"It's amazing, it's awesome, of course I'm excited," Taylor said.
"He's just arrived and brought a lot of energy to the team. His game means he makes the right decisions all the time in training and in games, that's why he's so good.
"It's a great feeling. The way to win it too. To see that free kick and the quality it brings to the team, it's amazing."
The evening was particularly special for Taylor, who said it was "pretty sick" knowing that Messi celebrated his first game on a post.
This is just the latest chapter in a barely believable rise for the Finland international, who has played for top clubs in his native Sweden and Norway after struggling to make an impact in England.
The 28-year-old spent spells with Nottingham Forest, Barnet and Lincoln, from where he was farmed out on frustrating and unsuccessful loans to Boston Town and Lincoln Moorlands Railway.
"If someone had told me a few years ago, when I was sitting on the bench at Lincoln Moorlands, that I was going to play with Busquets and Messi, I would have just laughed in their face," Taylor said with a smile.
"I was sitting on the bench, couldn't get any non-league minutes and the coach told me I wasn't strong enough or good enough. I was just sitting on the bench watching.
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A post shared by Robert Taylor (@robitaylor94)
"It tested me when I was younger. I used to call my parents back home in Finland and tell them that maybe I wanted to look for something, other options."
Paul, Taylor's father, is a former England footballer who played for KuPS in Finland, where he still lives and stayed awake to watch the madness unfold in Fort Lauderdale.
It's a night that will be long remembered, but not one that Miami basks in for long, as they look to bounce back from a poor Major League Soccer season.
"Of course it's an amazing feeling for everyone on the team, but eventually we'll have to get used to it and not get too emotional, we just have to focus on the game," Taylor added.
"I think everyone has to enjoy the win, but now we have to focus on the fact that we have Atlanta next."
From discussing his future on the non-league Lincoln Moorlands Railway bench to Lionel Messi celebrating his goal, the story of Inter Miami midfielder Robert Taylor is something else entirely.
The eyes of the football world were on the DRV PNK Stadium on Friday night as the Argentine magician began his new chapter in the United States.
Messi's Miami debut spanned years and was well worth the wait as he came off the bench to score a stunning free kick against Cruz Azul in stoppage time.
The 2-1 Coupe de la Ligue win was a dream start for the 36-year-old and a surreal moment for new teammates like Taylor, who also played alongside Sergio Busquets for the first time.
"It's amazing, it's awesome, of course I'm excited," Taylor said.
"He's just arrived and brought a lot of energy to the team. His game means he makes the right decisions all the time in training and in games, that's why he's so good.
"It's a great feeling. The way to win it too. To see that free kick and the quality it brings to the team, it's amazing."
The evening was particularly special for Taylor, who said it was "pretty sick" knowing that Messi celebrated his first game on a post.
This is just the latest chapter in a barely believable rise for the Finland international, who has played for top clubs in his native Sweden and Norway after struggling to make an impact in England.
The 28-year-old spent spells with Nottingham Forest, Barnet and Lincoln, from where he was farmed out on frustrating and unsuccessful loans to Boston Town and Lincoln Moorlands Railway.
"If someone had told me a few years ago, when I was sitting on the bench at Lincoln Moorlands, that I was going to play with Busquets and Messi, I would have just laughed in their face," Taylor said with a smile.
"I was sitting on the bench, couldn't get any non-league minutes and the coach told me I wasn't strong enough or good enough. I was just sitting on the bench watching.
See this post on Instagram
A post shared by Robert Taylor (@robitaylor94)
"It tested me when I was younger. I used to call my parents back home in Finland and tell them that maybe I wanted to look for something, other options."
Paul, Taylor's father, is a former England footballer who played for KuPS in Finland, where he still lives and stayed awake to watch the madness unfold in Fort Lauderdale.
It's a night that will be long remembered, but not one that Miami basks in for long, as they look to bounce back from a poor Major League Soccer season.
"Of course it's an amazing feeling for everyone on the team, but eventually we'll have to get used to it and not get too emotional, we just have to focus on the game," Taylor added.
"I think everyone has to enjoy the win, but now we have to focus on the fact that we have Atlanta next."
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