Maxi Falcon insists Lionel Messi, Inter Miami are ‘on the right track’ despite Javier Mascherano’s exit

Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon addressed the media on Tuesday, a day prior to the away MLS fixture Lionel Messi and company will play against Real Salt Lake. When asked by Bolavip about the mid-season coaching change with Guillermo Hoyos replacing Javier Mascherano, the Uruguayan explained how he faces this kind of situation.

“As we often say in soccer, ‘everything has already been invented.’ There are certain coaches who have their own playbook, their style of play, their way of tranining, and of handling the day-to-day, which I believe is the most important thing,” Falcon said.

“But you also gain experience over time and realize that these things can happen. A player sometimes has a four-year deal and a certain level of stability, but for a coach it’s different. Sometimes, because of losses or other factors, they end up leaving a club after three our four games. It’s not nice, but as players we have no choice but to get used to it and try to reset our mindset quickly.“

Falcon optimistic about Inter Miami’s future

Shortly after Mascherano‘s exit, The Herons started the Hoyos era on the right foot, with Falcon playing the full 90 minutes as a Messi brace led Inter Miami to a 3-2 road win over Colorado Rapids.

“The other day it was a very tough match, in which they probably didn’t feel sorry for us at all,” Falcon added. “They were just thinking about winning the game, regarldess of how we got there. I think it’s about that, to change the mindset quickly.

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“The coaching staff is there to give you tools and show you the opponents’ weaknesses, and then, obviously, we have to execute it on the field. So, to start with a win after three days of practice with the new coaching staff, I think it’s always positive to win. There always are things to fix, of course, but we’re training for that every day, and I believe we’re on the right track.“

Frustrating streak before Mascherano’s exit

With the 2025 MLS Cup win still fresh in the memory, a club statement explained Mascherano left Miami due to personal reasons, in a move that came weeks after the team suffered an early Concacaf Champions Cup exit at the hands of Nashville SC.

Additionally, the Herons failed to win their first two games at their new arena, with a draw against Austin FC at the Nu Stadium opener being followed by another tie against the New York Red Bulls.

But as Falcon suggested, Messi and Inter Miami are still in a good position, being second in the Eastern Conference standings with 15 points, four shy of Nashville after eight games.