Following Inter Miami CF’s announcement of the appointment of Javier Mascherano as the Club’s new head coach ahead of a thrilling 2025 season, here are five things you should know about El Jefe.
Trophy Collection
Mascherano, nicknamed El Jefecito during his playing days and now El Jefe as a manager, was synonymous with success throughout his career, amassing an impressive collection of trophies in a playing career that spanned nearly 20 years.
In all, he won 21 titles at the club level, while also winning four titles with Argentines youth national teams. Below is the breakdown of Mascherano’s titles as a player:
Clubs - 21 Titles:
- Club Atlético River Plate: Torneo Clausura (2004)
- Corinthians: Brazilian Série A (2005)
- FC Barcelona: Five LaLiga titles (2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18), five Copa del Rey titles (2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18), three Spanish Super Cup titles (2011, 2013, 2016), two UEFA Champions League titles (2010-11, 2014-15), two UEFA Super Cup titles (2011, 2015), two FIFA Club World Cup titles (2011, 2015)
National Team - 4 Titles:
- Argentina U-20 National Team: South American Youth Championship (2003)
- Argentina Olympic National Team: Olympic Gold Medal (2004, 2008), CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament (2004)
Our Club’s new head coach also won various individual accolades throughout his playing career, among them being named Barcelona’s Player of the 2013-14 season, being included in the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season for 2014-15, and being part of the CONMEBOL Copa América’s Team of the Tournament four times.
Individual Accolades - 14:
- Toulon Tournament Best Player (2003)
- South American Team of the Year (2004, 2005)
- CONMEBOL Copa América Team of the Tournament (2007, 2011, 2015, 2016)
- FC Barcelona Player of the Season (2013-14)
- FIFA FIFPro Men's World XI 4th team (2014)
- FIFA FIFPro Men's World XI 3rd team (2015)
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2014-15)
- FIFA FIFPro Men's World XI 5th team (2016, 2017)
- IFFHS CONMEBOL team of the decade (2011–2020)
Experience at the Highest Levels of the Game
El Jefe joins the Club with vast experience at the highest levels of the game under his belt. In his storied club career, he played in the top leagues and regional competitions both in South America and Europe. He donned the jerseys of some of the most iconic sides in the game, including Argentine giants River Plate and historic Brazilian sides Corinthians in South America, and Liverpool F.C. and FC Barcelona in Europe.
The former defender/midfielder racked up nearly 700 appearances for clubs throughout his playing career, including over 350 for FC Barcelona.
On the international stage, he featured for Argentina 147 times across all competitions. Despite not clinching silverware at the senior level with his nation, Mascherano’s accomplished international career saw him represent Argentina in two Summer Olympics, five Copa América tournaments, and four FIFA World Cups. During this time, he finished as a runner-up in four Copa Américas and one World Cup.
Blast from the Past
Upon his arrival at Inter Miami, Mascherano will be reunited with several familiar faces. Notably, in his time as a player for FC Barcelona from 2010 to 2018, he played alongside and won numerous titles with current Inter Miami players Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
He also shared the pitch with Messi on the national team, with the pair making a total 116 appearances together for Argentina’s Olympic team and senior side. Notably, he played alongside Messi to help secure the gold medal in 2008.
La Albiceleste Icon
With 147 international caps to his name, Mascherano is second only to Club captain Messi in terms of all-time appearances for Argentina. In that time, he was a leader defensively, while also recording three goals and an assist.
In his time with the senior side, he finished as a runner-up in four Copa Américas and one World Cup. With Argentina’s youth sides, however, he tasted glory on four separate occasions, winning two gold medals at the Olympics (2004 and 2008) and the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in 2004 with the country’s Olympic side, and winning the South American Youth Championship in 2003 with the U-20 side.
Imparting Wisdom to the Youth
Mascherano’s previous work with youth players and managing at important international competitions will be vital to continue producing players through the Club’s development pathway that can have an impact on the First Team.
Notably, he’s already worked with several of Inter Miami’s rising stars at different stages during his time at the helm of Argentina’s U-20 and Olympic national team: Tomás Avilés (who was part of Argentina’s roster for the U-20 FIFA World Cup 2023), Benjamin Cremaschi, Facundo Farías and Federico Redondo.
With Argentina’s youth sides, El Jefe coached at several major international tournaments, including the 2024 Olympic Games. He also managed the sides at the U-20 FIFA World Cup 2023, South American Games in 2022, U-20 South American Championship 2023, and the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in 2024.
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