JA few months after being crowned MLS Cup champion, Javier Mascherano has decided to step down as Inter Miami’s head coach.
This change in the club’s membership did not go unnoticed, nor did the lack of public reaction from the team’s captain, Lionel Messi.
Messi’s silence raises more questions about Mache
Note that Leos are under no obligation to speak or post messages on social media. However, his silence has caused some curiosity, mainly due to his close relationship with Mascherano.
The relationship between Leo and Mache is one of the oldest and most successful in the world of football, as they shared a dressing room for many years with both the Argentina national team and Barcelona. Furthermore, after Javier took over as manager, he led the club to its first league victory in the 2025 season, with Messi at the center.
Messi is not known for being particularly active on social media, but he has made the gesture in public in similar situations, such as when he mentioned Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets in a post after winning the MLS Cup. There, Leo expressed his gratitude to his family, fans, team and two teammates.
“Thank you Bushi and Jordi for joining us on this adventure and ending it in the best possible way. I’m also very happy to share this with you,” she wrote, along with 16 photos from the occasion.
However, due to his reserved nature, he does not always react the same way, especially when decisions come from personal matters. Furthermore, when former manager Tata Martino left the club for the same reasons as Mache, Leo was not given the post.
Mascherano himself explained that his departure was due to “personal reasons” and expressed his gratitude to the club, players and fans.
The truth is, the Argentine coach has had moments of glory, including his first MLS Cup, an Eastern Conference title and an appearance in the Club World Cup. However, after winning the title in December 2025, the Herons had a poor start to the season compared to the previous season, with the team only managing to win and draw 3-3-1 in seven MLS games, leading to an early exit from the CONCACAF Champions League, one of Inter Miami’s main goals.
Meanwhile, after managing a total of 67 games with 38 wins, 15 draws, and 14 losses, Mascherano ended his tenure of his own accord, ending the coaching of his friend and former teammate Lionel Messi.
Following Mashe’s departure, Argentinian Jer Guillermo Hoyos has been appointed interim head coach for the team’s upcoming games.
Inter Miami will take on the Colorado Rapids this Saturday the 18th at 4:30pm ET at Empower Field at Mile High.
