After Lionel Messi confronted the referee in the MLS season opener, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano claimed that the media created a 'circus' around the situation.

Rightly or wrongly, much of the blame for Inter Miami’s (few) woes in 2024 fell on its defense, specifically the backline. Ask any supporter the team’s most glaring need in the offseason and the first answer likely included the words “defense” or “center back.

Javier Mascherano faces a tall task as Inter Miami's new coach. Luckily, he has old friends Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.