Mascherano Exit Highlights…

Jorge Mas deserves recognition. The Inter Miami owner envisioned bringing Lionel Messi to South Florida, surrounding him with fellow stars and complementary players from Argentina as well as talent from the academy, aiming to build a formidable team both on and off the pitch.

And it worked.

The long-anticipated inauguration of Nu Stadium marked a pivotal moment for a franchise that had faced many setbacks. On the field, the Herons secured a Leagues Cup in 2023, a Supporters’ Shield in 2024, and an MLS Cup in 2025.

However, the original vision now requires some adjustments.

The number of players close to Messi on the field is dwindling at an alarming rate. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba both having retired, Luis Suárez remains in the squad but has seen his role significantly reduced as time marches on.

The departure of one of Messi’s closest friends, manager Javier Mascherano, further complicates matters. He resigned as Miami’s manager on Tuesday for “personal reasons,” a vague term that often spawns speculation.

This situation raises eyebrows, not about Mascherano himself but because it’s reminiscent of the wording used to explain Tata Martino’s departure 18 months prior. Martino led the club to the Supporters’ Shield but was dismissed after a disappointing playoff exit against Atlanta United, which still stands as one of the biggest playoff upsets in MLS history.

Mascherano’s tenure was marred by his inability to win the elusive Concacaf Champions Cup. He had two opportunities and failed both times. Losing to Mexican teams might be expected, but on both occasions, it was an MLS side that eliminated Inter.

To clarify, the victories of the Vancouver Whitecaps (in 2025) and Nashville SC (this season) were fully deserved. There was nothing fluky about their wins. Still, it stings, especially given Miami’s significant payroll, which is more than double all but two other MLS teams.

With such financial backing, it’s important to note that this season, Mascherano had a team in transition. The Herons currently sit third in the Eastern Conference and ninth in the Supporters’ Shield standings, but early signs indicate that the squad lacks the cohesiveness of last season, with players not fitting together as well.

This transition phase raises questions about the team’s potential, even with Messi in the mix, particularly regarding the effectiveness of replacements for the departed stars.

The combination of Yannick Bright and Rodrigo De Paul (with some input from David Ayala) offers a different skillset compared to the departed Busquets, leaning more towards box-to-box play rather than deep-lying distribution. Sergio Reguilón has been limited in playing time while recovering from a knee injury that occurred while he aimed to take over Alba’s role. Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has not shown the same confidence as last year with Minnesota United. Meanwhile, Germán Berterame, signed for $15 million, finally scored his first goal for Miami last weekend in a 2-2 draw against Red Bull New York. Despite his potential, Berterame seems to struggle to find his place given Messi’s influence.

Now, the onus is on another friend of Messi, Guillermo Hoyos, who has previously coached Messi at Barcelona‘s academy and most recently served as the Herons’ sporting director, to restore the Miami Soccer Machine’s efficiency. While Hoyos isn’t in immediate danger of losing his position, the higher-profile hirings of Martino and Mascherano illustrate his precarious status. Could another Messi ally, like current Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, be a potential candidate for the role?

Hoyos must embrace the inherent chaos that comes with a technical position in the organization and hope for better consistency from the team and its new acquisitions.

Messi, however, stands in stark contrast to Hoyos. He is Inter Miami, but his time with the club is limited, expiring in June 2028, underscoring the need for a recalibration.

Betting against Mas is not wise. Since he joined the club in 2018, he has orchestrated significant advances, but steering the club forward now is more challenging than it appears. Balancing Messi’s needs with the club’s future is a delicate task. Success in this endeavor will undoubtedly bring Mas even greater acclaim.