GOAL sat down with the new Miami winger to talk about playing with Lionel Messi, 2025 goals, and his long journey home

MIAMI – Fafa Picault is finally where he belongs: home.

The winger, signed by Inter Miami as a free agent after spending 2024 with the Vancouver Whitecaps, is the latest in a handful of shrewd offseason moves made by the Herons' front office. Most would jump at the chance to play for this club, not least for the opportunity to line up alongside greats such as Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets. But for Picault, who was born in the Upper West Side of New York and moved to Miami at nine, this means more.

"When you're young, you don't know how things are going to go, to go around so many countries, so many cities, and then come back here years later, and now call it my home again, as a professional, that was a surreal feeling," Picault tells GOAL.

Picault knows his role these days. It has been the same for years now. His job is to be a live wire off the wing. He is supposed to provide, create, stretch defenses, and also provide valuable cover for the aging legs of Suarez and Messi. With Diego Gomez off to Brighton this window, and reinforcements needed, he seemed a smart bit of business on a low wage.

But this is, of course, no normal club. Miami lost in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, and will be expected to go much further this year. For Picault, that mentality isn't a problem.

"I think that's always the objective. And if they were to win it last year, I think the goal would have been to try to win it again. That's what football is: always trying to win," he says.

Picault is happy to be back in Florida. His parents are there, as are his cousins and best friends. There will be a Picault contingent at every game, he promised. And for the 33-year-old, who is playing for his third team in as many seasons, a familiar place to play the game he loves is all he could ask for.

"It's going to be beautiful," he said.

GOAL caught up with Picault at MLS Media Day to discuss his signing for Miami, interactions with Barcelona greats, and what it means to be back in Florida in the latest Wednesday Convo.

IMGANON COMING HOME, PLAYING WITH MESSI

GOAL: First of all, you grew up here, how does it feel to be back home?

PICAULT: It's great to be back home. My parents are here, my cousins, my best friends are all here. My church is still here. It's going to be beautiful.

GOAL: You're walking into a locker room with a lot of big names. How has it been so far? Have you linked up with Messi, Suarez and those guys?

PICAULT: They havebeen very welcoming, very humble, especially for the guys they are. And it's been very nice so far, to play for such an ambitious club, and with guys that have won so much. It's great to join it. And I'm looking forward to working with these guys, learning and being a part of it, and bringing my attributes to help them win.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportON HIS ROLE IN MIAMI

GOAL: Has the new manager told you about what your role might be this season?

PICAULT: I'm assuming the same as always. Just on the wings, and, using what I do, to stretch out defenses and be creative off the wing. But also work hard, which is kind of what I've always done to help teams win.

AFPON INTER MIAMI'S GOALS

GOAL: Last year, Miami won the Supporter's Shield, but then lost to Atlanta in the first round of MLS playoffs. What's the goal this time around for you guys?

PICAULT: I think again, just do better than last year. I think that's always the objective. And if they were to win it last year, I think the goal would have been to try to win it again. That's what football is: always trying to win. It's an ambitious club, and I think the objectives are to do great this year.

GOAL: Is there any pressure that comes with that, for you, specifically?

PICAULT: No. I think I've been around the game long enough to not feel pressure. It's a game I love, and think it's just an opportunity to probably make it easier for myself even. But at the same time, I'm just excited. More excitement than pressure for me.

GettyON HIS FUTURE

GOAL: And what's the thing you're looking forward to the most about wearing the Miami shirt?

PICAULT: Playing in front of my family and my friends, playing in the city where I only dreamed of having a career. I didn't know if I would have a career. When you're young, you don't know how things are going to go, to go around so many countries, so many cities, and then come back here years later, and now call it my home again, as a professional, that was a surreal feeling and obviously to get to play with such great players. I'm just excited.