Javier Mascherano confirmed as Inter Miami manager reuniting the ex-Argentina midfielder with Lionel Messi

Former Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has been officially announced as the new manager of Inter Miami.

Mascherano will now be the head coach for the Major League Soccer super team led by his former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez, and Jordi Alba.

This comes after manager Tata Martino decided to leave the club following a season where they won the Supporters Shield, but were eliminated in MLS Cup Playoffs by Atlanta United.

Prior to this recent appointment, Mascherano was the head coach of the Argentina U20 and U23 national teams.

Mascherano led the Argentina men’s team at the 2024 Summer Olympic games in Paris. There, they finished second in Group B and fell to host nation and eventual silver medalists France in the quarterfinals.

Mascherano arrives with no experience having coached a senior side or a first team at any level – either internationally or in the club sphere.

Mascherano takes over a Miami team led by his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi

It seems to be yet another move by Inter Miami owners Jorge Mas, Jose Mas, and David Beckham to acquire as many members of the 2015 UEFA Champions League winning Barcelona side as possible.

Jorge Mas, the managing owner of the club, said in a statement, ‘This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize our unique collection of talent – from our global superstars, to our burgeoning Homegrown players, to our young international prospects, and everything in between.

‘Javier has amassed unmatched experience in his career, from playing on the world’s biggest stages, to coaching at the youth international level; he has the blend of skills and experience we were looking for, and even has had direct coaching experience with [Inter Miami players] Tomás Avilés, Facundo Farías, Federico Redondo, and Benjamin Cremaschi.

‘We believe Javier is an important addition to our Club as we continue on our quest to be among the world’s elite, setting a new standard for fútbol in North America.’

David Beckham also contributed to the club statement, saying, ‘Throughout his career as one of the world’s best players and as an experienced coach, Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great – relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts and understanding to back it up. We’re very excited to welcome him to lead our team.’

Mascherano said, ‘To be able to lead a Club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of. I was drawn to the organization’s undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it.

‘I’m looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the Club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments.’

Mascherano will be tasked with providing success to the club after a season that ended much sooner than anyone associated with The Herons may have hoped.

Co-owner David Beckham also praised Mascherano for his experience as a player and coach

After winning the Supporters Shield – given to the team that earns the most points in an MLS season – by eight points over the Columbus Crew, Messi & Co. fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs.

The silverware may be nice, but by MLS standards, Miami will go uncrowned after losing in a three-game series to the nine-seed Atlanta United.

After winning the first game 2-1, they fell in the second match by a 2-1 scoreline as well.

In the do-or-die third match, Miami couldn’t hold on despite scoring first as Atlanta won 3-2 to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Inter Miami saw Suarez and Messi finish joint second alongside Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga in the goal scoring race. Messi also finished tied for third in assists with 16.

All that was under Tata Martino – the former Barcelona manager who won an MLS Cup with Atlanta United back in 2018.

Martino helped Inter Miami start its silverware cabinet with a Leagues Cup crown in 2023 before winning the Supporters Shield and the Eastern Conference regular season title this past season.

After the elimination, Martino decided to leave the club, citing ‘personal reasons’.

Mascherano (center) is best associated with his time at Barcelona where he won multiple Spanish league titles and cups as well as the Champions League twice

With Argentina, Mascherano won a gold medal at the Olympics in 2004 and in 2008 (above)

Mascherano has only been coaching since 2021 after he hung up his boots following a playing career that spanned 649 club matches and 147 caps for Argentina.

His career included stops at River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham, Liverpool, Barcelona, Hebei China Fortune, and Estudiantes. Mascherano scored five goals at club level and three internationally while garnering a reputation as one of the best holding midfielders of his generation.

He’s best associated with Barcelona, where he played 334 matches. He won La Liga five times, the Copa del Rey five times and the Spanish Supercup three times. Mascherano also won the 2010-11 Champions League, the 2014-15 Champions League and both the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2011 and 2015.

As a player for Argentina, he won gold medals at the Olympics in 2004 and 2008. He was also part of the side that finished runner-up at the 2014 FIFA World cup and finished second at the Copa America four times.