Lionel Messi is on the cusp of reuniting with former Argentina national teammate Javier Mascherano with Inter Miami, this time as player and coach, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.

Argentine football icon Lionel Messi is on the verge of reuniting with his former national teammate Javier Mascherano at Inter Miami, according to a report from AP. Mascherano is reportedly set to take over as the new head coach of the Major League Soccer (MLS) club,

Inter Miami have no budget limitations and will continue to build the best team possible after Tata Martino's resignation following their MLS playoff exit to Atlanta United

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said on Friday that he expects captain Lionel Messi to stay at the club through 2026 and that he sought the Argentine’s input regarding the search for a new head coach.

Former Barcelona defender Javier Mascherano will manage Lionel Messi after agreeing to become the new Inter Miami head coach, according to reports.

“The team has grown so much with Martino’s arrival,” Messi told reporters on the eve of the Leagues Cup final in August 2023. He repeated that on October 2 this year in a post-match interview with Apple TV after scoring two goals against the Columbus Crew to secure the Supporters’ Shield.

Inter Miami 'fully expect' Lionel Messi to stay with the club until at least 2026, according to owner Jorge Mas. The Argentine legend is coming off his first full season in Major League Soccer. Messi joined David Beckham's Inter Miami franchise in the summer of 2023 but only played a handful of games in his first few months in the US.

Lionel Messi is into his second season with Inter Miami, and after helping guide David Beckham's franchise to success, it appears the Argentine is here to stay