Lionel Messi will be joined by yet another familiar face next season with former teammate Javier Mascherano being named as Inter Miami’s new manager.
The former FC Barcelona defender was unveiled this week as Tata Martino’s successor with Mascherano taking on his first club role as manager having spent the last two years coaching Argentina’s U-20 and U-21 sides.
With Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas revealing that he tried to sign Mascherano as a player in 2019, it seems fitting that the 40-year-old coach is the one the Herons turned to to replace Martino after his departure from the Florida franchise last month.
And Mascherano has now shared his verdict on coaching his former teammate Messi.
Mascherano eager to manage Messi at Inter Miami next year
Speaking to the press, the new Inter Miami manager revealed that he is excited to coach Messi next year, with Mascherano noting that he will not be afraid to mix things up with the Argentine international, as well as with his other former teammates.
Alongside Messi, Mascherano also played with Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba during their time together at Barcelona, and the Argentine coach seems keen to get started with his new job with familiar faces.
Mascherano said when asked about managing Messi: “I have never denied the relationship I have with Leo and I will never deny it. Now, the decisions about how they are made and what the methodology is, you will have to ask whoever makes those decisions.
“I am very happy to be here, I’m excited, and I’m eager to show what I am really worth. Beyond the fact that I have a relationship with many players here, I think it is a good thing since it is much easier to be close to some of them. It is not difficult for me to mix things up, I am not going to put the years of relationship I have had with them at risk for a position. For me, life goes beyond football.”
Mascherano will know how to get the best out of his former teammates
One of the reasons Martino was previously hired as Inter Miami manager was because of his previous experience in dealing with Messi, with the Argentine coach getting the best out of the 37-year-old having worked with the forward at Barcelona.
And Mascherano will be aware that he has a similar skillset to Maritno, with the 40-year-old coach one of the lucky few players to have played alongside Messi for both club and country and to see how the forward works tactically.
Indeed, Mascherano has a unique opportunity to really get the best out of Messi and company next year, and doing so could be the difference between another disappointing campaign for Inter Miami or a season of success at last for the Herons.