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2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Lionel Messi’s coach issues major warning about Inter Miami signing new stars

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will take part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup later this year, and head coach Javier Mascherano has weighed in on the possibility of adding new star players to the squad.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano talks to Lionel Messi during a game in 2025.
© Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesInter Miami coach Javier Mascherano talks to Lionel Messi during a game in 2025.

The year 2025 has started off nearly perfectly for Inter Miami. They’ve reached the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup and remain unbeaten in Major League Soccer. Still, their biggest target is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held this summer in the United States. Head coach Javier Mascherano addressed the topic of whether more stars could be brought in to join Lionel Messi on the roster.

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“There will be a transfer window from June 1 to 10… Both FIFA and supposedly MLS have approved this window,” Mascherano explained Friday in a press conference shared on X by Deporte Total USA. “If there’s a chance to strengthen in any position and bring in players, we’re open to exploring options.”

However, the coach also issued a clear warning on the matter. My idea is that, if a player comes in, it should be for the entire season, not just for the Club World Cup. It would be disrespectful to the players who’ve been with us since day one,” said the Argentine head coach.

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While Mascherano clarified that he has no specific information about possible changes to MLS financial rules or the salary cap, he did express interest in the idea of high-level reinforcements joining the Herons in the near future.

Javier Mascherano is in his first year as Inter Miami head coach.

Javier Mascherano is in his first year as Inter Miami head coach.

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“We’re always open to whatever might happen in the market. I think until the transfer window closes, anything can happen. We’re watching it closely,” Javier acknowledged. He also added: “The idea is that, if someone comes, it’s really to strengthen us and make us better. We’re not going to sign just for the sake of it.”

Lionel Messi reveals he wanted to return to Barcelona before signing with Inter Miami

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Mascherano discusses Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew

Ahead of Saturday’s game against Columbus Crew, Mascherano was asked about possibly resting players given the heavy workload of recent weeks. “The idea is to go with the best team possible and, if everyone’s available, for everyone to travel,” he said. “Then we’ll see if we rotate in some positions or not.”

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The coach also emphasized how important the match is for Inter Miami. “It’s a crucial game for us, and the idea is to play a serious match… But obviously we have to manage workloads because it’s been a very tight two months,” Javier explained.

Columbus is one of the best teams in the league, with a very clear and defined playing model given to them by their coach,” Mascherano said of Wilfried Nancy. “For us as a team, it’s a challenge to face them. But we have our own strengths that we’ve shown over time, and we trust that we’ll perform well.”

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