Revealed: Javier Mascherano called Lionel Messi to 'get his honest opinion' after taking over as Inter Miami boss

Mascherano has replaced Tata Martino as Inter Miami boss and signed a three-year contract with the MLS side. The appointment is the Argentine's first senior management role, although he has previously enjoyed coaching positions with the Argentina Under-20 and Under 23 teams. The move also sees Mascherano link up with former Barcelona team-mates Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez in Miami.

Mascherano may lack managerial experience but he does possess a packed trophy cabinet after an impressive playing career that took in spells with West Ham, Liverpool and Barcelona, as well as the Argentina national team. Inter Miami's new boss spent almost a decade playing alongside Messi with Barcelona and says his relationship with the club's captain will be an advantage when it comes to managing the team.

He told ESPN: "I had a talk with Leo to get his opinion. I am lucky to have a very fluid relationship with him and that allows me to be sincere and be able to talk to him in depth and for him to be honest with me about what he thought. He is a person who does not usually get involved too much. Obviously, we know the influence and importance that Leo has, and has had throughout his career in all teams and clubs. I am very happy to be here and look forward to starting training.

"We must remember that it is not that we're making that change [from teammate to coach] right now, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. I left Barcelona in 2018, and a lot has changed. We are grown-up people, we know how to differentiate things. I think life is easier when we do things naturally, and not force situations. I take it as an advantage to be able to know each other, to have had them as teammates and obviously to have great players like them now."

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed the club tried to sign Mascherano back in 2019 in a move aimed at seeing him start off as a Designated Player and then head into coaching. "I always thought he would be an amazing mentor. Five years later, he's here. It's fate," he explained to ESPN.

Mascherano has three months to get to know his side and prepare the team for the start of the new MLS season, which is expected to kick-off towards the end of February.