Javier Mascherano, a legendary figure in Argentine football, has agreed to become the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports.
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The MLS side, captained by his former Barcelona and Argentina teammate Lionel Messi, has moved swiftly to appoint Mascherano after Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino stepped down earlier this week.
Since retiring in 2018, Mascherano has been carving a managerial path, most notably leading Argentina’s Under-20 national team since January 2022.
His tenure with the youth side has been instrumental in nurturing talents like Thomas Aviles and Federico Redondo, both of whom are currently part of Inter Miami’s squad.
Now, Mascherano is set to take on a new challenge in Major League Soccer, replacing Martino, who departed after guiding Inter Miami to an MLS-record 74 points in the regular season and securing the Supporters’ Shield.
Despite these accomplishments, Martino’s tenure ended in disappointment after an early MLS Cup playoff exit at the hands of Atlanta United.
Mascherano’s move to Inter Miami will see him reunite with several familiar faces. During his illustrious playing career, he shared the pitch with Messi for years at Barcelona and Argentina, forming a key part of the Blaugrana squad that dominated European football.
In addition to Messi, the 40-year-old will reconnect with other Barcelona legends, including Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, all of whom are now integral members of Inter Miami’s lineup.
Mascherano’s playing career is the stuff of legend. He won an astonishing 19 trophies with Barcelona, including two UEFA Champions League titles and five La Liga crowns.
With Argentina, he secured two Olympic gold medals and played in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and four Copa America tournaments.
Notably, his journey to stardom began with a controversial move to West Ham United from Corinthians in 2006 alongside Carlos Tevez.
After a brief stint in England, Mascherano joined Liverpool in 2007, where he established himself as one of Europe’s premier defensive midfielders before his high-profile transfer to Barcelona in 2010.
As Mascherano steps into his new role at Inter Miami, he inherits a squad brimming with talent but also high expectations.
The club’s ambitious vision, combined with the presence of global stars like Messi, Busquets, and Alba, will put Mascherano’s managerial skills to the test.
With a long-term deal reportedly in place, Inter Miami’s management clearly sees Mascherano as the right figure to lead the team into its next chapter.
Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how the Argentine legend shapes the future of the club, starting with the upcoming MLS season.