Kily González Set for Inter Miami Debut Against Cruz Azul After First Training With Lionel Messi’s Team
Cristian “Kily” González is set to take charge of Inter Miami for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 16, when the club faces Liga MX side Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup.
The 52-year-old Argentine officially joined Inter Miami after arriving in South Florida on Tuesday, Sept. 15. He then led his first training session with the team ahead of his first match as head coach.
González’s arrival had been delayed by the time needed to secure the required U.S. work documentation and permit. Inter Miami had previously said he would assume responsibility once the necessary work permits were obtained.
During the first training session, González was also seen speaking with Inter Miami president and co-owner David Beckham.
Kily González’s First Inter Miami Match
González’s first game in charge comes almost immediately after his arrival.
Inter Miami will face Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday, giving the new coach little time to prepare before his competitive debut.
The match is also the first opportunity for González to begin implementing his approach with a squad that includes Lionel Messi and several other established players.
After the Campeones Cup, González and Inter Miami will turn their attention back to the MLS regular season.
González Signs Through 2028
Inter Miami signed González to a two-year contract.
USA TODAY reported that the agreement runs through the end of the 2027-28 season, while Reuters reported his contract as running through June 2028.
His contract timeline also overlaps with Messi’s current deal with Inter Miami. Messi signed a contract extension in October 2025 that keeps him with the club through the end of the 2027-28 season, according to USA TODAY.
That gives González a defined period to work with one of the most established players in the Inter Miami squad.
From Javier Mascherano to Kily González
González takes over after Guillermo Hoyos, who had been overseeing the team on an interim basis.
Hoyos had previously been involved with Inter Miami’s professional development structure and front office before taking charge of the first team.
He assumed the interim role after Javier Mascherano left the position in April 2026.
Mascherano had guided Inter Miami to the first MLS Cup title in club history before stepping down several months later.
González now becomes the permanent head coach following Hoyos’ interim spell.
Inter Miami Enter New Era After Mixed MLS Results
González inherits a team that remains near the top of the Eastern Conference but has struggled to produce consistent results recently.
According to Reuters, the reigning MLS Cup champions have won only one of their last five regular-season matches.
USA TODAY reported that Inter Miami had drawn each of its previous three MLS matches.
Despite that run, the club is currently second in the Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami is nine points behind conference leader Nashville SC, with nine regular-season matches still remaining before the MLS postseason begins.
That leaves González with a relatively short window to influence the team before the playoffs.
González’s Career as a Player
Before moving into coaching, González had a long playing career in Argentina and Europe.
He represented Argentina 56 times between 1995 and 2005.
His club career included major European sides such as Inter Milan and Valencia, while he also had a connection with Rosario Central.
González moved into coaching in 2020 and has since managed several clubs in Argentina.
His appointment at Inter Miami represents his move into one of the highest-profile coaching jobs of his career.
Cruz Azul Provides Immediate Test
The timing of González’s arrival means there will be almost no adjustment period before his first match.
He took his first training session with Inter Miami on Sept. 15, one day before the Campeones Cup meeting with Cruz Azul.
The immediate challenge is to prepare the squad for the Liga MX opponent while also beginning a new coaching era at the club.
After the Campeones Cup, the focus will shift back to MLS, where Inter Miami has nine regular-season games remaining.
With the club second in the Eastern Conference but nine points behind Nashville SC, González begins his tenure with both a major trophy matchup and a tight MLS schedule ahead.
