Lionel Messi will have a familiar face as his new coach in 2025, as former Argentina and Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano takes the reins of the Herons.
Argentina U23 manager Javier Mascherano is set to reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, the club confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. This announcement follows former head coach Tata Martino’s decision to step down, which was made official last Friday. Mascherano and Messi share a storied history, having played together at Barcelona from 2010 to 2018 and representing Argentina on the international stage throughout Mascherano’s career until his retirement in 2018.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Javier Mascherano managed Argentina’s U23 team, which included Inter Miami’s Federico Redondo, to a quarterfinal finish. Despite high expectations, La Albiceleste underperformed, falling 1-0 to eventual champions France. Criticism mounted after Argentina finished second in their group behind Morocco, forcing a tough knockout-stage matchup with Les Bleus earlier than anticipated.
Meanwhile, Tata Martino’s tenure at Inter Miami ended following a shocking playoff defeat in the 2024 MLS Round 1 best-of-three series against Atlanta United. Despite winning the Supporters’ Shield, setting a league points record, and dominating the regular season, the Herons faced an early postseason exit, marking one of the biggest upsets in MLS history.
As Mascherano steps into his first senior club management role, he faces the challenge of guiding Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup. The 40-year-old will work with a roster packed with experience, including Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, all former Barcelona teammates. Additionally, Mascherano may influence the club’s decision on whether to re-sign Luis Suárez, who is currently at a contract impasse with the Herons.
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas expressed confidence in Javier Mascherano’s appointment, highlighting his unique qualifications for the role. In a statement, Mas said: *”This job requires someone with the experience to maximize our unique collection of talent—from global superstars to promising Homegrown players, young international prospects, and everything in between.
Javier Mascherano brings a wealth of experience, having played on football’s grandest stages and honed his leadership skills through coaching at the youth international level. He has the blend of skills and expertise we were seeking and even has direct coaching experience with players like Tomás Avilés, Facundo Farías, Federico Redondo, and Benjamin Cremaschi. We believe Javier is an important addition to our Club as we continue striving to be among the world’s elite, setting a new standard for fútbol in North America.”* The statement underscores Mascherano’s potential to elevate Inter Miami’s ambitions on both domestic and international stages.
Former Argentina star Javier Mascherano shared his excitement about taking on the role as Inter Miami’s head coach, stating:
“”Leading a club like Inter Miami is both an honor and a privilege, and I am determined to make the most of this opportunity. What drew me here was the organization’s undeniable ambition and the incredible infrastructure it has built to support that vision. I’m eager to work alongside everyone at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights and deliver more unforgettable moments for our fans.”
Mascherano’s enthusiasm reflects his commitment to driving the club’s growth and achieving its ambitious goals.
Javier Mascherano was a key member of Argentina’s 2018 FIFA World Cup squad, which reached the final but ultimately fell to Kylian Mbappé and France. During the tournament, Mascherano became La Albiceleste’s most-capped player with 147 appearances, a record that has since been surpassed by Lionel Messi, who now boasts 191 caps.
At the club level, Mascherano spent eight successful seasons alongside Messi at Barcelona. Together, they won numerous trophies, including two Champions League titles in 2011 and 2015, as well as four La Liga championships, solidifying their legacy as one of football’s most accomplished duos.
