Miami, FL

Mascherano: ‘Advantage’ with Barça guys at Miami

Published

1 year ago

December 3, 2024

Mascherano: ‘Advantage’ with Barça guys at Miami

New Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said leading former Barcelona teammates will work to his advantage as he takes on his first professional managerial position.

Mascherano will reunite with Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi for the first time since 2018, when the five played for the LaLiga giants. Though the roles have since evolved, the Argentine insists the relationship with each player will help Inter Miami succeed.

“We must remember that it is not that we’re making that change [from teammate to coach] right now, a lot of water has passed under the bridge,” Mascherano told ESPN. “I left Barcelona in 2018, and a lot has changed. We are grown-up people, we know how to differentiate things.

“I think life is easier when we do things naturally, and not force situations. I take it as an advantage to be able to know each other, to have had them as teammates and obviously to have great players like them now.”

Though Mascherano arrives at Inter Miami with limited coaching experience — he oversaw the Argentina U23 side from 2022-24 — and knowledge of the league, the new head coach is no stranger to the Herons. Co-owner Jorge Mas said the team tried to sign Mascherano in 2019 on a contract that allowed him to become one of the club’s first Designated Players before transitioning into a coach.

Though the initial deal fell through, he now returns to lead Miami five years later.

“I always thought he would be an amazing mentor. Five years later, he’s here. It’s fate,” said Mas.

Mascherano accepted the role after receiving a phone call from Mas, just days after the coaching search began. The Argentine manager revealed he didn’t give the decision much thought, knowing it was an important step to take.

Above all it was very fast and very intense because I received a message from Jorge where he wanted to talk to me, we went to a five-minute talk where he intended to have a meeting, then the next day we had a meeting via Zoom and the next day we were already reaching an agreement or reaching an agreement so that I am the new coach,” he said.

Once given the role, Mascherano spoke with Messi and got to work.

“I had a talk with Leo to get his opinion,” Mascherano added. “I am lucky to have a very fluid relationship with him and that allows me to be sincere and be able to talk to him in depth and for him to be honest with me about what he thought.

“He is a person who does not usually get involved too much. Obviously, we know the influence and importance that Leo has, and has had throughout his career in all teams and clubs. I am very happy to be here and look forward to starting training.”

The team will commence the pre-season in January and kick off the 2025 MLS campaign in late February.

In related Miami news, Messi and Alba represented the Supporters’ Shield winners on the 2024 MLS Best XI announced Tuesday.

The Best XI is voted on by media members, MLS players and club technical staffs. The 2024 squad includes players from eight countries and nine teams and features seven first-time honorees.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

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Miami, FL

Semi-truck fire closes southbound lanes of I-95 in southeast Miami-Dade

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

Semi-truck fire closes southbound lanes of I-95 in southeast Miami-Dade

Published: December 26, 2025 at 6:42 AM

Semi-truck fire leads to heavy traffic on I-95 in Miami-Dade A semi-truck fire led to heavy traffic on I-95 in Miami-Dade on Friday morning.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
— A semi-truck fire shut down all southbound lanes of Interstate 95 early Friday morning in southeast Miami-Dade, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers and fire crews responded to the scene near Northwest 79th Street, where the truck was found engulfed in flames. Fire rescue units performed foam operations to extinguish the fire, and city crews also responded.

All regular southbound lanes of I-95 were closed as emergency crews worked the scene. Traffic was being diverted into the express lanes, allowing vehicles to move past the area, though congestion was reported.

Drivers heading southbound through the Little River area were advised to seek alternate routes, including U.S. 1 or U.S. 441, while crews continued operations.

No injuries were immediately reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Ryan Mackey

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born on Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.

Annaliese Garcia

Annaliese Garcia joined Local 10 News in January 2020. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism. She began her career at Univision. Before arriving at Local 10, she was with NBC2 (WBBH-TV) covering Southwest Florida. She’s glad to be back in Miami!

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Miami, FL

Miami Fire Rescue warns of e-bike battery fire risks as popularity grows

Published

14 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Miami Fire Rescue warns of e-bike battery fire risks as popularity grows

MIAMI — They’re increasingly common on city streets across Miami, weaving through traffic and keeping pace with cars. E-bikes have become a popular and convenient way to get around, but the lithium-ion batteries that power them are now drawing increased scrutiny from fire officials concerned about safety.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responds to dozens of incidents each month involving lithium-ion batteries.

“We average responding to 40 to 50 investigations a month,” said Capt. Gerard Forrester of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

As e-bike use continues to grow, Forrester said the batteries can quickly become dangerous, even when the bikes are not in motion and are simply charging.

Cellphone video captured firefighters battling an intense backyard fire that tore through a wooden shed in northeast Miami-Dade. Officials said the blaze illustrates how quickly lithium-ion battery fires can escalate.

“Sheds are not air-conditioned, and they get a couple hundred degrees and direct sunlight in Miami,” Forrester said.

Fire officials warn that storing or charging e-bikes near combustible materials can worsen the damage if a battery overheats.

“If you do have to leave it outside, don’t put it against the wall or any possible material near it, like paper or any kind of garbage that may, if it goes into thermal runaway, aid in the extension of the fire,” Forrester said.

A department demonstration shows how lithium batteries can overheat, particularly when exposed to direct sunlight.

“Direct sunlight is not the ideal thing,” Forrester said, adding that charging should be done carefully. “If you’re going to charge something, preferably it would be outside your garage.”

Earlier this month, fast-moving flames ripped through a duplex in the Brownsville neighborhood of northwest Miami-Dade. Investigators said an e-bike left charging inside the home is now at the center of the investigation.

“People are losing everything, and it’s devastating for our community,” Forrester said.

Fire officials emphasized that lithium-ion battery fires are especially difficult to extinguish.

“A lithium battery vehicle or electric vehicle — you dunk it in water, it’s still going to burn,” Forrester said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue continues urging residents to take precautions when storing and charging e-bikes to reduce the risk of fire.

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