Inter Miami formalized on November 26 the arrival on its bench of Javier Mascherano after the departure of “Tata” Martino for “personal reasons”. Former teammate of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona and in the Argentine selection, the Argentine technician responded frankly to rumors of “cronyism” with the eight-time Ballons d’Or, who has been playing with the Herons since July 2023.
“The relationship I have with Lionel Messi is something I have never tried to hide. I’m not going to deny that our relationship is one of friendship because of all the years we’ve played together and because we’ve known each other for a very long time. As for how decisions are made, what methodology is used, I have no idea. You have to ask the people who make the decisions. I’m happy to be here, very excited and obviously very eager to show what I’m worth,” confided the 2014 world vice-champion at a press conference.
A familiar dressing room for Mascherano
Mascherano also recalled that he was not only close to Messi. “It’s obvious that I don’t just have a relationship with Leo. There are three other players in the team with whom I have played for a long time and with whom I have a very close relationship (Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez, editor’s note). That’s something I’m not going to deny. I’m not going to go into the locker room and pretend we’re not friends. During the Olympics, I had to coach Otamendi, who is a friend, and it was no problem. We have to put things into perspective”added the former Liverpool defensive midfielder.
Mascherano’s first test in charge of Inter Miami is scheduled for February 15, in a friendly match against Orlando City. Meanwhile, the Florida team remains disappointed after its elimination in the first round of the play-offs against Atlanta United (3-2) on November 10.
