Lionel Messi-led MLS club Inter Miami officially announced the hiring of Javier Mascherano as head coach on Tuesday.

Inter Miami noted that Mascherano signed a contract that will run through the 2027 MLS season, and Mascherano said the following about accepting the job:

"To be able to lead a club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of. I was drawn to the organization's undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it. I'm looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments."

Inter Miami's head coaching position became available last week when previous head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino left the club due to personal reasons.

Mascherano, 40, began his managerial career in 2021 with Argentina's Under-20 and Under-23 national teams. That included coaching the Argentinian men's soccer team at the 2024 Summer Olympics where they were eliminated by host France in the quarterfinals.

Before becoming a coach, Mascherano enjoyed a highly successful playing career from 2003 to 2020, spending time with multiple major clubs, including Barcelona, Liverpool and Corinthians.

Mascherano had his longest run at Barca, appearing in 203 matches. For all eight of his seasons at Barcelona, Mascherano was teammates with Messi.

Together, they won five La Liga titles and a pair of UEFA Champions League titles, as well as numerous other trophies.

Mascherano and Messi were also teammates on the Argentinian national team for 13 years, and they won an Olympic gold medal together in 2008.

Felipe Cardenas and Pablo Maurer of The Athletic reported last week that Mascherano was expected to be named the next head coach at Inter Miami, and they noted that he and Messi are still close friends.

Inter Miami began MLS play in 2020, and Messi joined the club beginning in the 2023 season after leaving Paris-Saint Germain.

After struggling mightily and failing to reach the playoffs in 2023, Inter Miami took a massive leap forward last season, posting 22 wins, four losses and eight draws, giving them the best winning percentage in a single season in MLS history at .765.

However, Inter Miami were shocked in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, falling to Atlanta United.

With Messi leading the way, Inter Miami are expected to be top contenders again in 2025, and Mascherano could potentially be the coach needed to put them over the top.