"I have never denied the relationship I have with Messi"

Javier Mascherano, until recently Argentina U20 coach, decided to take the step up to club level to coach Inter Miami and on Tuesday he was introduced in style as their new coach.
“I don't feel pressure. Sometimes, in football, experience doesn't make too much sense. Beyond the fact that I have been coaching for 3 years, I am also endorsed by practically 20 years of career and everything I have experienced. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be here, it is a major challenge for me: to be able to coach this club that has a very ambitious project, big names but also very young players. So nothing, I'm looking forward to this new challenge in my career”, said the player from San Lorenzo.
“It would be hypocritical to come and promise titles. You always have to promise to work, the main objective is to fight for all competitions. Obviously, this season we have the Club World Cup in which we will face very powerful teams that are better than us. First we will have to see what we have to do (group) and we will try to put together a team to be able to play on equal terms and compete in the best possible way”, said Mascherano about the objectives for 2025.
On the other hand, the 'Jefecito' told how this opportunity arose: “I was preparing for the South American tournament with the Argentina National Team and this opportunity came up. It took me completely by surprise and I had to make a quick decision. Seeing that it was a great opportunity for my career, I did not hesitate to accept it”.
“MLS is a league I know because I was very close to playing, although few knew about it. Also, it's a league that I think is growing. Messi makes that happen. As a coach I was looking forward to being in the day-to-day of a club and developing a model of play. MLS is a different league but it will take some getting used to,” the Argentine said of the competition.
In relation to Leo, Mascherano explained his relationship with his former teammate at Barcelona and in the Argentina national team: “I have never denied the relationship I have with Leo and I will never deny it. Now, the decisions on how they are made and what the methodology is, you will have to ask the decision-maker”.
Finally, the 'Jefecito' made an assessment of the season of the 'Herons' after surprisingly falling in the first round of the play offs. “The team has performed at a high level throughout the season, even with Leo out for a long time. I see many positive aspects, we will try to improve them, but I think we have a very good squad,” he concluded.