Argentina’s Gerardo Martino, who led Lionel Messi at Barcelona and Argentina’s national team, was introduced on Monday as Mexico’s new coach for the next World Cup.

The "Tata" Martino disembarks with the "Tri" after leading Atlanta United to the MLS Cup win and with an agreement for the next four years. He succeeds Juan Carlos Osorio, whose contract expired after participating in the World Cup in Russia.

Martino, 56, will be the third Argentine coach to lead Mexico and the first since Ricardo La Volpe was in charge from 2002 to 2006. The Mexicans also were directed by Cesar Luis Menotti between 1991 and 1992.

Like his predecessors, Martino arrives at the Mexican national team with the mission of reaching the quarterfinals in a World Cup. That round has been impossible for the “Tri” on the world stage. It only reached it as hosts in the editions of 1970 and 1986 World Cups.

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Atlanta United outgoing manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino is applauded after hammering the Golden Spike during the MLS championship rally Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer/AJC)

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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