FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – On a 70-degree morning, Lionel Messi arrived at Inter Miami’s training grounds wearing a beanie, surprising everyone as he participated in his second practice of the season under new head coach Javier Mascherano on Monday.

About an hour later, new U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino was leading several Major League Soccer players who had gathered for the team’s first match of the year on a nearby field.

Both teams have come together at Inter Miami’s facility to kick off the new year, each hoping to leave a mark while aspiring to achieve their ambitious goals.

The USMNT is gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, beginning with a match against Venezuela at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET, followed by another game against Costa Rica in Orlando on January 22.

Meanwhile, Messi and Inter Miami will launch their preseason and a packed 2025 schedule with a game against LIGA MX champions Club America at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this Saturday night at 10 p.m. ET.

Since Pochettino took over in September from Gregg Berhalter, he has already made a positive impression on MLS players participating in the national team training. Many players, like Christian Pulisic, are unable to join the national team due to their club commitments during non-FIFA international windows.

Drake Callender, Inter Miami’s goalkeeper, expressed his thoughts about Pochettino’s coaching style: “At first, I felt this would be a challenge. It’s tough work, but that’s a good thing. I think he is fostering an environment that truly challenges us. I’m enjoying the process,” he said, adding that he feels he is growing not just as a goalkeeper but as a player overall, which is vital for development.

Benjamin Cremaschi, who recently joined the national team after competing in the Paris Olympics, is eager to see how Pochettino’s detailed strategies unfold this week.

So far, Pochettino has a record of 3 wins and 1 loss: the USMNT defeated Panama 2-0 on October 12, lost to Mexico 2-0 on October 15, and won against Jamaica with an aggregate score of 5-2 in two Concacaf Nations League matches in November.

In addition to preparing for the World Cup, the USMNT will also compete against Canada, Mexico, and Panama in the Concacaf Nations League finals in March, followed by the Concacaf Gold Cup later this summer.

“I really appreciate his work and what he’s been implementing with the national team recently,” Cremaschi noted. “It’s beneficial for our country and our team to have this approach.”

On the other hand, Mascherano is already familiar with his star players, having reconnected with former Barcelona teammates Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba after taking over for Tata Martino last month.

However, he still needs to arrange housing for himself. As a new MLS coach, he has been living in a hotel while working on adapting to a changing roster, which saw several players from last season’s Supporters’ Shield-winning team leave during the brief offseason.

“I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had the chance to relax. I’m focused on improving the team and dealing with the issues we’ve faced in recent weeks,” Mascherano explained. “In the coming weeks, I’ll make time to find an actual home. Living in a hotel doesn’t allow me to look for one.”

Inter Miami had a disappointing exit in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs, facing Atlanta United, but this year they’ll be competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Leagues Cup alongside their regular MLS season.

To prepare, the team has lined up a five-match preseason tour across three countries to help promote the Inter Miami brand, capitalizing on Messi’s influence.

Mascherano expressed satisfaction with how Messi and the rest of the players returned from their holidays as the season begins.

While Messi is anticipated to participate in the match in Las Vegas, it remains uncertain how many minutes he will actually play, given his status as an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and reigning MLS MVP.

Inter Miami is also scheduled to play preseason matches in Peru on January 29, Panama on February 2, Honduras on February 8, and Tampa, Florida on February 14.

“Indeed, we have several preseason matches ahead that will allow us to gauge our competitive readiness, but we will adjust playing time based on how the players feel,” Mascherano stated.