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.
Manager Tata Martino officially announced his resignation due to personal reasons at the same press conference. The Athletic reported the news on Tuesday.
“(Messi’s) under contract through 2025,” Mas said. “Leo and I sit and we’ll discuss the future. As I’ve said it before and I will repeat now: I fully expect in the opening of our new stadium in 2026 in Miami and the opening of our 2026 season — hopefully, after a trophy-laden 2025 campaign — that Lionel Messi will be our No. 10.”
Miami’s new stadium, dubbed Miami Freedom Park, was originally slated to open next year but in September, the club announced that they will move to the new ground in 2026.
Messi’s future both with club and country has remained uncertain. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, fresh off a World Cup triumph with Argentina in 2022, has long kept the door open to defending that title when the tournament is held in North America.
Messi, though, has finished his 2024 season. Miami were eliminated by Atlanta United in the MLS Eastern Conference quarterfinals on November 9. He played in two World Cup qualifiers for Argentina last week and will not be active competitively until the new year.
Messi spoke about his long-term future and love of Barcelona earlier on Friday, in an interview with Catalonian outlet 3Cat.
“My kids were born here,” the 37-year-old said. “I’ve spent my whole life living there. I feel I belong to Barcelona.
“My family and I always think about the possibility of returning to live there one day. My children, my wife and I miss our life there a lot. We miss our friends.”
GO DEEPER
How Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will be impacted by Tata Martino’s exit
On Miami’s search for a new head coach
When he returns from that extended time off, Messi will welcome a new head coach to Miami.
Reports have linked his former Argentina and Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano as the frontrunner to replace Martino. Mascherano is currently the head coach of Argentina’s U-20 men’s side. On Friday, Mas all but confirmed the hire, saying that the ideal candidate should have the ability to relate to Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
“We’re very close to finalizing a deal with a new coach,” Mas said. “We’ll make the announcement in the coming days. I spoke to Lionel on Saturday after he and Tata had spoken. I asked him, ‘What is important to you and what is important to get the best out of our roster and starting XI. How do we improve?’ Leo shared his thoughts with me.
“This is a very attractive position for a coach. We got it down to three final candidates by Tuesday. Familiarity with Leo and the other stars is an advantage in every aspect.
“I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new coach who is coming in. Raul (Sanllehi, president of football operations) and I will spearhead this. Leo gave me what I asked him, which is input. That was Leo’s involvement and engagement, which is frankly all the time.”
Mas and Sanllehi on Friday (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Mas, during his 40-minute press conference, said that a coach with MLS experience “would be good” but that it isn’t the deciding factor. “I think the development of the club’s (footballing) identity is more important. How do you manage a squad that has unlimited talent? Because the best version of Inter Miami has not been seen yet.”
What next for Martino?
Martino revealed that he had made the decision to resign before the start of Miami’s three-game series with Atlanta, adding that it’s “strictly personal.” “I have to leave Inter Miami,” Martino said. “We can’t come back and I have to go back to Rosario.”
Martino first communicated his decision to Sanllehi. He then met with Messi before speaking with Mas.
“No-one on my staff knew about this final decision,” said Martino. “I didn’t want to create a distraction. Inter Miami is a very demanding environment. It can be entrapping. But I’m very happy to have been part of the club’s turnaround. We do leave with a sour taste in our mouths after the elimination.”
Martino was asked about his relationship with Messi, one that has been scrutinized for nearly a decade. The 61-year-old Martino has coached Messi on three separate occasions. First at Barcelona in 2014, followed by two seasons as Argentina’s manager from 2015 to 2016.
“This is the closest we’ve been after three stints together,” added Martino. “It has a lot to do with my own professional growth and Messi’s place in world football today. It was the best time we’ve spent together.”
Martino said that he will not consider any new coaching offers for several months.
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(Top photo: Chris Arjoon/AFP via Getty Images)
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