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

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.

Head coach Gerardo Martino has stepped down from his role with MLS club Inter Miami "due to personal reasons", the club confirms.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino stepped down from his role on Friday citing personal reasons, after the team were knocked out of the MLS Cup playoffs earlier this month.

“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.

The MLS continues to grow and attract top talent, with Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami significantly boosting the league's profile. Now, it seems that another big name could be heading to the United States,

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.

Inter Miami has decided its new head coach with former Barcelona ace Javier Mascherano set to reunite with fellow Argentine Lionel Messi in the MLS