Inter Miami CF has officially begun its 2025 preseason campaign with Lionel Messi at the helm. The team, under the new guidance of head coach Javier Mascherano, is aiming to make a significant impact in Major League Soccer and beyond.

Mascherano takes over a team that posted the best regular-season record in MLS history last season under coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who stepped down citing personal reasons. Martino said he made that decision before Inter Miami fell in the first round of the playoffs to Atlanta United, losing in a best-of-three series.

Lionel Messi is back. Inter Miami CF convened for its first day of preseason training on Monday, but the surroundings look starkly different from the last time the Argentinian took the field with his South Florida squad.

Inter Miami has strengthened its defense with the signing of Chilean international Maxi Falcón. The 27-year-old center-back joins the MLS club from Colo Colo and will be a valuable addition to the team as they look to build a championship-winning squad.

If Neymar were to sign with Miami, he’d also be reuniting with former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano, who was hired last month as Inter Miami coach. Neymar, 32, is under contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal through June 2025, which means he can start negotiating with other clubs about his future.

Javier Mascherano says he currently has no time to look for a house in Miami.

Javier Mascherano has shared his thoughts on managing Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, revealing that their long-standing friendship has made the transition seamless.