FIFA regulations allow players to freely negotiate with any club in the world once they reach the final six months of their current contract. Since July 1, Lionel Messi has been in exactly that situation, prompting speculation over his potential renewal with Inter Miami. In that context, Javier Mascherano weighed in on a key aspect the Herons have provided the Argentine forward.
Asked about Messi’s contract situation during a press conference on Tuesday shared by Diario AS, the head coach remained consistent with his recent stance, declining to share any details. However, he did emphasize important elements of Leo’s day-to-day life in South Florida. “I think he’s found a place where he can be at peace, to enjoy a lot of things he couldn’t enjoy at other clubs,” said Javier.
Mascherano is a credible voice on these matters, having played alongside Messi for seven years at Barcelona from 2010 to 2017, in addition to over a decade with the Argentina national team. He spent those years close to Leo and witnessed firsthand the immense pressure the superstar endured throughout earlier phases of his career—something that, evidently, has changed in Miami.
Still, the head coach was measured in his comments and explained that this may not be the decisive factor in Messi’s decision. “In the end, he will decide whether to stay with the team,” Javier clarified. “But I see him very, very happy.”
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano discusses Inter Miami without Messi
Amid the ongoing speculation about Messi’s future, Inter Miami are playing crucial Major League Soccer matches that could determine their 2025 aspirations. Their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup has left the Herons behind on the league schedule, and in the coming weeks, they’ll need to play several makeup matches.
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Asked whether he might field a Messi-less squad in some of those games to manage the forward’s physical load, Mascherano was candid. “Even if I had the best roster in the world, if you rest Leo the team is obviously going to feel it,” he began.
“But this year we’ve had to play quite a few matches without Leo, and each and every player who stepped in took a step forward so that his absence was felt as little as possible,” the coach added, making clear he trusts the alternatives on his roster.
Will Messi play Wednesday against New England Revolution?
In the same press conference, Mascherano addressed Messi’s status ahead of Wednesday’s match against New England Revolution. “In Leo’s case, he’s fine and has no issues, and obviously my intention is always to play him because if there’s one player who knows how to manage himself, it’s him,” the coach explained.
Even so, Javier stopped short of confirming Messi in the starting lineup. “We’ll see. I don’t want to say one thing and then do another. This is more of a day-by-day situation depending on how the players are feeling. Also, the squad isn’t very big, and depending on how everyone is doing, we don’t have too many rotation options—but we’ll rotate where we can,” he concluded.
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