Inter Miami hires Messi’s former teammate as new head coach

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami has reunited star Lionel Messi with another one of his former teammates.

This one, however, will be his new Major League Soccer coach.

Inter Miami has hired former Barcelona and Argentine captain Javier Mascherano as its next head coach. The move, a two-year deal through the 2027 season without financial details disclosed, was announced by the club on Tuesday. Initial negotiations were first confirmed by managing owner Jorge Mas on Nov. 22.

Mascherano, 40, has limited coaching experience, but has lived through the club success and national team heartbreak that has shaped Messi’s legendary career.

Now, Mascherano must help Inter Miami rebound after the biggest upset loss in MLS history and contend for the MLS Cup title in the twilight of Messi’s career.

“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,” Mascherano said in a statement. “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 replaces former coach Tata Martino, who resigned from his post due to personal reasons, shortly after the club was eliminated by Atlanta United in the first-round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters’ Shield with the best record in league history, accounting for a league-high 74 points from 22 wins, four losses and eight draws. The club had two MVP candidates in Messi and Luis Suarez, who became the first teammates in league history to each score 20 goals in the same season. They scored 40 of Inter Miami’s league-leading 79 goals in 2024.

With home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, Messi and Inter Miami were primed to hoist the MLS Cup at Chase Stadium Dec. 7. However, Messi scored just one goal and Inter Miami was outscored 6-5 by Atlanta, including 5-3 in Games 2 and 3 in the series.

Mascherano, considered one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation, should quickly elevate Inter Miami’s weakness defensively while appealing to the club’s star power.

Mascherano played with Messi, Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at FC Barcelona. Together, they won five La Liga titles, two Champions League titles and two Club World Cup championships.

Mascherano won Olympic gold for Argentina in 2004, and with Messi in 2008. He was named Argentine captain by Diego Maradona before Messi assumed the role. He played alongside Messi on the national team from 2004-18, where they fell short in Copa America and World Cup finals.

Mascherano became a coach with Argentina’s youth national teams when Messi reached his crowning achievement at the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

He led Argentina’s Under 23 team to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics, where they were eliminated by host France earlier this summer. Overall, he had a 13-1-8 (win-draw-loss) record in the first coaching job of his career.

Mascherano will quickly help Inter Miami compete for titles as a first-time MLS coach. In addition to defending its Supporters’ Shield title and chasing another playoff berth, Inter Miami will participate in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup tournaments next year.

Messi, 37, is under contract with Inter Miami through the 2025 season with hopes he will resign for 2026.

“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,” Mas said of Mascherano. “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.”

Added Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham: “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.”

This story was updated with quotes and more information.