Mascherano takes over a team that posted the best regular-season record in MLS history last season under coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped down citing personal reasons. Martino said he made that decision before Inter Miami fell in the first round of the playoffs to Atlanta United, losing in a best-of-three series.

Lionel Messi will have another compatriot on board at Inter Miami. Javier Mascherano has brought a young defender he coached at the 2024 Paris Olympic games. Inter Miami are gearing up for the 2025 season,

Meanwhile, forward Fafa Picault, one of the new players in Inter Miami camp, is feeling at home. The 33-year-old Haitian American spent his teen years in Cutler Bay, where his family still lives. He attended Miami Killian High School and played for local youth clubs and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers before heading overseas.

Inter Miami on Monday completed the second training session of the 2025 campaign under new head coach Javier Mascherano on Monday in Ft. Lauderdale, giving players a taste of what's to come under the new leadership.

Lionel Messi's two-word message has Inter Miami fans buzzing as the team kicks off 2025 training under Javier Mascherano.