"We spent an entire night in my office" - Inter Miami owner reveals he tried to sign Lionel Messi's ex teammate in 2019
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has revealed that he tried to sign Argentine superstar Lionel Messi's former teammate Javier Mascherano in 2019. The American claimed that he 'spent an entire night' in his office with the ex-defensive midfielder, conversing about the sporting aspect of the club.
Mascherano eventually ended up joining Miami, albeit in a different role than originally intended. After the Herons' unexpected first-round exit in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Playoffs in the summer, manager Tata Martino resigned and was replaced by the 40-year-old.
'El Jefecito', as Mascherano is fondly called, started his managerial career in 2022, in Argentina's youth setup (Under-20 and Under-23). He also took charge of the 2024 Olympic squad, which made it to the quarter-finals of the competition.
He emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Martino after Miami's dismal Playoff showing and was immediately hired upon the latter's departure. However, the latest claim from Mas has revealed that 'Masche' almost joined the club during his playing career.
Mas said to the press (via Inter Miami News):
"This is a journey that started in August 2019. We spent an entire night in my office in Miami talking about football and about his philosophy. At that time, I was thinking of bringing him in as a player, and then he would go on to coach the academy.
"Back then, he already had a football philosophy that was very interesting for me to see and, five years later, being able to name you as coach today is an honor," Mas added.
In Miami, Mascherano will be reunited with former Barcelona teammates Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
"I take it as an advantage" - Newly-appointed Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano speaks out about coaching former Barcelona teammates including Lionel Messi
Newly-appointed Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano has claimed it will be 'an advantage' for him to be reunited with his former Barcelona teammates at the club. He will manage Lionel Messi (414 games together), Sergio Busquets (266 games), Jordi Alba (160 games), and Luis Suarez (124 games) at the Chase Stadium.
Mascherano said about the reunion with his former colleagues and close friends (via ESPN):
"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. 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," Mascherano added.
With Messi having just one more year left on his Inter Miami contract, the club will certainly hope that Mascherano's addition helps them contend for the 2025 MLS Cup.
