Inter Miami were only able to play two games in their 2020 MLS debut before the season was put on hold due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. They resumed play over the summer and secured their first victory on August 22 against Orlando City. Since then, they’ve been building steam and have racked up an additional five wins.
We were able to speak with Matias Pellegrini, who started playing with the team when they joined MLS in January. Miami’s culture is intertwined with music, so naturally, we asked Matias how music affects his life and fuels him for games. He also shared what the team listens to before games and in the locker room, including his favorite rock bands from his native Argentina. Matias and our host spoke in his native Spanish; the English translation of that interview is below.
Is music an important part of your life?
Yeah. I don’t know if it’s an important part of my life, but yeah, I like to listen to music and a lot of times it helps clear your mind. So, yeah it’s kind of important.
What type of music do you like listening to?
I listen to a little bit of everything. A lot of rock — Argentinian rock (we call it national rock here), international rock, and reggaeton.
Who are some of your favorite artists right now?
I really like Las Pastillas del Abuelo and La Vela Puerca — two Argentinian rock bands. I also like listening to Anuel AA and Bad Bunny.
Do you listen to music before games? If so, what do you listen to?
Yeah, I do listen to music, I always listen to reggaeton before games. I like to listen to Anuel AA, Maluma, J Balvin.
What does the team listen to in the locker room?
We listen to reggaeton. We listen to a lot of the same reggaeton artists I just mentioned.
Who is in charge of the music in the locker room?
Rodolfo [Pizarro] has been in charge, sometimes I’ve been in charge — we all take turns.
What’s the best concert or festival you’ve ever been to?
The best concert was this group I saw, Los Guasones. It's an Argentinian band and they performed once in my hometown and I liked it a lot.
What’s your earliest music-related memory?
When I was a kid, I remember my dad always used to put on Rodrigo, an Argentinian singer that is unfortunately no longer with us. But I remember always listening to him when I was kid; that's one I remember.
Big music scene in Miami – what are some of the memories you have made in the Miami music scene?
Yeah, I know a lot of musicians come here because I follow them on social media. Some names that come to mind are Anuel AA and Maluma.
