Hoyos was unveiled on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the club confirmed the departure of Javier Mascherano due to personal reasons. Mascherano had led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title just four months earlier.

The Argentine coach previously served as the club’s sporting director and shares a relationship with Messi that dates back over 20 years, beginning at FC Barcelona’s youth academy.

However, speaking at his first press conference, Hoyos stressed that personal ties would not affect his professional duties.

He said their friendship is “non-negotiable,” but added that it would not translate into special treatment or constant oversight on the pitch.

While the club initially described him as an interim coach for upcoming matches, later updates referred to him as head coach, suggesting a more formal role.

Hoyos is expected to remain in charge until mid-year, before a new technical structure is introduced ahead of the Leagues Cup in August.

Inter Miami CF currently sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference after seven matches, keeping them in strong early-season form.

Messi, captain of Argentina’s World Cup-winning side, remains central to the club’s ambitions as they continue their push for more silverware under new leadership.

In a post on social media, Showunmi said Atiku’s political strength and preparedness give him an advantage in the emerging contest, while noting that former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi could emerge as his strongest rival.

He also observed growing political dissatisfaction across parts of the country, particularly in the North, saying both rural and urban voters are increasingly aggrieved.

According to him, these sentiments could significantly influence the outcome of the 2027 general elections.

Showunmi warned political actors against neglecting loyal supporters, noting that shifting alliances could reshape the political landscape ahead of the polls.

He further described Atiku as fully committed and actively preparing for the race.

Highlighting key regions to watch, he said the South-East may play a decisive role, while the South-West remains unpredictable, and the North-Central could serve as a critical swing zone in the election.