If you are a young Argentine soccer player and you get a phone call informing you that Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi are interested in you joining their team, you don’t think twice. You say yes.

Just ask Marcelo “Chelo” Weigandt, the 24-year-old right back who Inter Miami signed on loan last week from Boca Juniors.

Four years ago, during the pandemic, Maradona was coaching Argentine club Gimnasia and reached out to Boca Juniors about loaning the young defender to his club. He said yes and played there through 2021.

Last month, when Messi’s team came calling for him to replace right back DeAndre Yedlin, who was traded to FC Cincinnati, Weigandt was ready to start packing his bags. He signed a one-year loan deal, with an option to extend the loan through 2025.

“Maradona had called me, I didn’t hesitate, and this was a similar situation,” he told the Miami Herald on Monday, after his introductory news conference. “When my agent informed me that Inter Miami wanted me, I didn’t think twice. I wanted to share a roster with these great stars. I can learn so much from them. From the beginning, the chance to play with Leo [Messi] influenced my decision. It’s a dream to be his teammate. I’m very happy. I will do my part to help the team reach its goals.”

He got his work visa last week and wasted no time making an impact.

Weigandt started in his debut against New York City FC over the weekend, played 103 minutes and looked comfortable on the ball and linking with midfielders and forwards. He made 44 passes and connected on 84 percent of them. He also took two shots and drew praise from coach Tata Martino.

Weigandt will face a bigger test on Wednesday, as Inter Miami plays the home leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals against Monterrey of Mexico (8 p.m., FS1, TUDN).

“I liked the field a lot, was happy to be able to debut, I was a little bit anxious,” Weigandt said. “It’s a very nice league, very competitive. I felt very comfortable. I already knew Leo [Messi], had been with him on the [Argentine] national team, but to be able to be his teammate is marvelous and very good for my career.”

Long before Messi arrived at Inter Miami, promising young South American players would almost automatically head to Europe to advance their careers. But MLS has become a popular destination through the years.

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