FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Javier Mascherano heard the criticism. As a first-time club manager, he understood it. But none of that feels important now.

There was no doubt that his relationship with Inter Miami CF 's superstar players helped him get hired in November 2024 as Tata Martino's replacement. After all, his previous managerial experience was only at the youth national team level – and his Argentina side got eliminated at the quarterfinal stage of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

But it turned out the first-time coach was the right man for the job. He exuberantly celebrated Inter Miami’s three goals in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi, guiding the club to their first league title in his first season.

“You have to understand that,

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