Inter Miami boss, Javier Mascherano, has pushed back against growing speculation that Lionel Messi could be set to leave the club once the current Major League Soccer season wraps up.
Amid reports linking Messi with a possible departure, Mascherano insisted the Argentine superstar remains settled and content in Miami.
The World Cup winner’s current deal with Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2025 season.
In a chat with TribalFootball, Mascherano gave a clear picture of Messi’s mindset at the club.
“Messi looks happy. I think he’s found a place where he can enjoy life, something he might not have fully had at other clubs. In the end, it will be his decision how long he continues.”
Since joining the MLS outfit, Messi has been in remarkable form, netting 49 goals and providing 24 assists across just 59 appearances, an impressive return that highlights his enduring influence on the pitch.
Mascherano also addressed rumours surrounding Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul potentially joining Inter Miami, but played it down out of respect for the current squad.
“Everyone knows the kind of player Rodrigo is, but I don’t think it’s right to talk about someone who isn’t part of this squad. It would be disrespectful to those who are here and working every day.”