FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — The first few minutes of Javier Mascherano's introductory news conference as Inter Miami coach on Tuesday were rough. He was coughing, struggling to get words out and needed a few sips of water before finally calming down.

"Air conditioning in Miami," he explained.

"It causes me problems."

Luckily for Mascherano, Inter Miami's matches are played outside. Lionel Messi's former teammate is now his coach, and Mascherano — hired last week to replace Gerardo "Tata" Martino — is already in his new office, working toward a training camp that will start next month.

"I am convinced I can do it," Mascherano said. "I have no doubt."

It took only a few days to hire Mascherano — who played with Messi at Barcelona and for Argentina's national team — once Martino informed Inter Miami that he was leaving for personal reasons.

In reality, Mascherano's path to Inter Miami started five years ago.

Mascherano was initially recruited by the team in August 2019 in what Inter Miami viewed as a two-pronged deal. He would play for the club in 2020, its inaugural season, then take over as a coach of the club's academy the following year. It didn't come together then; the timing wasn't right.

Fast forward to now, and Mascherano is finally with the club.

"I always thought he would be an amazing mentor," managing owner Jorge Mas said. "Five years later, he's here. It's fate."

Martino stepped down after one-and-a-half seasons, during which the team won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and broke the Major League Soccer mark for best regular season record on the way to the Supporters Shield this season.

"To be able to coach this club is a very ambitious project," Mascherano said.

Mascherano is 40, only three years older than Inter Miami stars like Messi and Luis Suarez. He has longstanding relationships with not only the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, but also Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets; the five were teammates together in Barcelona.

Mascherano says it won't be an issue transitioning from teammate and friend to coach.

"Not only do I have a relationship with Leo, I have three other players on this roster that I played, and have a relationship, with. I'm not going to deny that," Mascherano said. "You separate things. One thing is work, one thing is friendship."

Mascherano was released from his contract as Argentina's under-20 and Olympic team coach.

"I'm very thankful to Argentina for understanding this is a great step for me, and for them allowing me to take it," Mascherano said.

Agencies Via Xinhua