November 25 – Inter Milan are expected to announce 40-year-old Javier Mascherano in the next 24 hours. The Argentine is currently the U20 coach of the national team and will reunite with his old Barcelona pals, Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets.
It is the bond with Messi that is the glue to making this happen as the two won five La Liga titles together at Barcelona alongside two UEFA Champions League crowns in Catalonia.
The two also enjoyed a great relationship with La Albiceleste, however, Mascherano who gave up the captaincy to Messi missed out on the golden age of World Cup and Copa America victories having retired from the national team in 2018.
Describing Messi in defensive terms seeing that the GOAT did as little of that as possible last season, Mascherano said: “Sometimes, at Barca we played 1v1 and it was impossible to get past him. We had no chance against him! Sometimes, attackers know how to defend. Leo defends very well. He was very fast and when you tried to dribble past him it was impossible.”
Mascherano will replace fellow Argentine, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, 61, who resigned officially on Friday due to personal reasons. The pressure will be on from the moment he signs on the dotted line though as this will be Mascherano’s first professional managerial position.
Inter Miami co-owner, Jorge Mas, who leaned heavily on Messi for advice in regard to the next coach said: “I spoke to Lionel on Saturday after he and Tata had spoken. I asked him, ‘What is important to you and what is important to get the best out of our roster and starting XI. How do we improve?’ Leo shared his thoughts with me. This is a very attractive position for a coach.
As well as the Barcelona experience, Mascherano, has played with some of the world’s biggest clubs including River Plate, and Estudiantes in his homeland, Corinthians in Brazil, Liverpool in the Premier League, and a spell in China. This varied background will prove invaluable in the melting pot of Major League Soccer.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1734114949labto1734114949ofdlr1734114949owedi1734114949sni@o1734114949fni1734114949