“It’s been accepted even at Barcelona in the last few years” - Gary Neville highlights Lionel Messi ‘influence’ in Inter Miami decision-making
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has said that Barcelona legend Lionel Messi plays a signficant role in Inter Miami's decision-making. The Herons recently appointed Messi's former Barca teammate Javier Mascherano as their new boss after Tata Martino's resignation last week.
Martino had a successful stint with the Herons, leading them to their first-ever title - the Leagues Cup (2023) - and the MLS Supporters' Shield this year. However, their run ended in the first round of the MLS Cup, with Martino resigning a few days later.
Miami moved quickly, announcing former Barcelona midfielder Mascherano as their new boss. Neville hailed the move and said that it's a continuation of Messi's decision-making role at Barca, saying on the It's Called Soccer podcast (as per talkSPORT):
"He (Mascherano) could be a great fit, and he knows Leo Messi, and Leo Messi will obviously want to play for him, which is a big incentive.
"It's been accepted even at Barcelona in the last few years that he has an influence over who the coach is going to be. I think even with Argentina as well. It's critical that he gets on with, and there are very few players who have that level of influence, but it's plainly obvious that he does."
Messi and Mascherano achieved success on the field at Barca, winning five La Liga and two UEFA Champions League. With Argentina, they won the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
How has Barcelona legend Lionel Messi fared for Inter Miami this season?
Lionel Messi enjoyed a fairly successful first full season with Inter Miami since arriving at the club last summer on a free transfer after nearly two decades in European football.
Despite missing a lot of games due to injury - especially after Argentina's victorious 2024 Copa America campaign - Messi contributed handsomely to the Herons' cause. In 25 games across competitions, he registered 23 goals and 13 assists.
Most of those goal contributions - 20 goals and 10 assists in 19 games - came in the MLS regular season, which the Herons topped to win their first Supporters' Shield, their second title overall.
Messi also scored twice (and assisted twice) in three games in the CONCACAF Champions League. He had a goal and an assist in three games in the MLS Cup Playoffs as well, where the Herons were ousted in the first round by Atlanta in three games.