Recently, Lionel Messi joined Landon Donovan for the most assists in men's international football history.
MLS Legend Landon Donovan makes a bold statement on Inter Miami’s current situation and admits that Lionel Messi could be the reason behind Tata Martino’s departure. The Argentine and former Atlanta boss resigned from managerial duty earlier this month. Donovan feels Martino’s call came after Miami’s shocking loss to Atlanta in the MLS Cup playoffs.
The former LA Galaxy star was speaking on “Unfiltered Soccer” and made a bold opinion on Miami and Martino’s story. Donovan feels that Martino was forced to leave the job because they wanted Mascherano, who became the new coach of the Florida team and will be reunited with Messi, with whom he played at Barcelona and in the Argentine national team.
Donovan speaks, “Usually I think when a manager says they’re stepping away, that means the club pushed you out. I will say, as someone as experienced as Tata Martino, I could see a scenario where he’s said: ‘I truly need to step away for a while.’
“However, that all changed when all these Mascherano rumors began. If he steps away and you have a decision the next day, guess what, that decision is being made for months ahead of time. I think it’s pretty clear what happened here, I think Leo and everyone said: ‘It’s been great, but if we don’t win it (MLS Cup), this is what’s going to happen, he’s going to resign and we’re going to bring in our boy‘.”
Landon Donovan wants to contribute to Inter Miami to reach new heights in the MLS. He added, “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.”
Tata Martino led Inter Miami to record points in MLS 2024 but failed to overcome his former club, Atlanta United, in the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami won the opening game, but Atlanta pulled off a comeback by winning the next two games. Recently, Lionel Messi joined Landon Donovan for the most assists in men’s international football history.
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On the other hand, Inter Miami announced on Tuesday that Javier Mascherano will be their new coach. Mascherano was the coach of the Argentine U-20 national team and has signed with the Florida-based club for three seasons until 2027.
Mascherano stated in a press release after becoming the new coach of Inter Miami, “Being able to coach a club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, it’s a privilege that I will try to make the most of.”
The Argentine will coach his former teammates at Barcelona, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. He won two Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles with these players. Players like Tomás Avilés, Facundo Farías, Federico Redondo, and Benjamin Cremaschi have played under Mascherano in the lower categories of Argentina.
