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.