MIAMI (AP) — Javier Mascherano and Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title in December, the latest victory in their long history of success.
Just four months later, Mascherano left the club.
Mascherano has stepped down as Inter Miami’s coach, and the team announced a remarkable turn of events on Tuesday, with the club starting 3-1-3 and sitting in third place in MLS’s Eastern Conference, but winless in their first two games at the new stadium.
The team said Mascherano, like his predecessor, cited personal reasons. Gerardo “Tata” Martino, In November 2024, he resigned from the transfer that ultimately led to Mascherano joining the club. Reunion with Messi. Mascherano and Messi were teammates at Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
In Mascherano’s place is Guillermo Hoyos, another Argentine linked with Barcelona. He is credited, at least on some level, with discovering Messi in the Spanish club’s academy and predicting his potential to become the greatest player of all time.
“I would like to thank the team for the trust they have placed in me, all the employees who have given their all as part of the organization, and especially the players who have made it possible for me to experience unforgettable moments,” Mascherano said in a statement released by the team.
Mascherano’s entire coaching staff also left the club, but the team did not provide details as to why. Mascherano had a 27-9-11 record in 47 regular season and playoff games with Inter Miami.
“Javier will forever be part of the history of this club. … We respect his decision and are deeply grateful for all his contributions,” managing owner Jorge Mas said in a statement released by the team. “We wish him nothing but the best for his professional and personal future.”
It is the latest in a series of surprising moves around the club in recent months, including Messi’s other long-time teammate Jordi Alba deciding to retire after last season with the final two years of his contract remaining. His retirement announcement came just days after the team held a retirement ceremony for another longtime Messi teammate, Sergio Busquets.
And now Mascherano is also out.
In just over a year, he not only led the team to its first MLS Cup victory, but also helped the Herons reach the Club World Cup finals, the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals and the Leagues Cup finals. The team was clearly disappointed in its disastrous loss in the CONCACAF Champions Cup earlier this year, being eliminated in the round of 16 after making offseason moves primarily with that trophy in mind.
But even amidst the frustration of not making it through that tournament, few would have thought that Mascherano’s time at the club would soon be over.
Mascherano said: “I will always carry the memories of my first star with me and continue to pray for the club’s progress wherever I am.” “I have no doubt that the club will continue to enjoy success.”
The relationship between Hoyos and Messi goes back more than 20 years.
Back then, when the shaggy-haired boy was playing for Barcelona’s B team, Hoyos famously touted Messi as potentially the greatest player of all time. Messi was 16 years old at the time and in the early stages of a career that would see him win eight Ballon d’Or trophies, a World Cup and four Champions League titles. Messi has referred to Hoyos as a kind of mentor in interviews over the years.
Hoyos is currently coaching Messi, but it is still unclear how long that will last. As part of Tuesday’s move, the team also announced that Chief Soccer Officer Alberto Marrero will fill the position of athletic director to replace Hoyos’ vacancy.
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