Tag: Lionel Messi

24Jun By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Lionel Messi to face PSG in Club World Cup last 16

Lionel Messi right winger of Inter Miami and Argentina and Mauricio attacking midfield of Palmeiras and Brazil compete for the ball during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and SE Palmeiras at Hard Rock Stadium on June 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Messi’s Inter Miami set for PSG showdown after dramatic Palmeiras draw at Club World Cup; Palmeiras to face Botafogo in all-Brazilian clash. Lionel Messi will face his former club Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Club World Cup after Inter Miami secured qualification from their group in dramatic fashion. Despite throwing away a two-goal lead in the final minutes against Palmeiras, the MLS side did just enough to book the...

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20Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Messi inspires Inter Miami to win against Porto at Club World Cup

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 19: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammates during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Internacional CF Miami and FC Porto at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Lionel Messi scored his first goal of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup with an exquisite free kick to inspire Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over two-time European champions Porto. The Herons trailed 1-0 at the break, but Telasco Segovia tied it two minutes into the second half off a cross into the box from Marcelo Weigandt. Then it was time for the 37-year-old Argentinian to add a trademark goal to a resume that already assures he’ll go down as one of the game’s greatest stars. Samu Omorodion scored on a penalty kic...

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15Jun By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Al Ahly and Inter play out goalless Club World Cup opener

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JUNE 14: Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF is challenged by Ahmed Koka (L) and Yasser Ibrahim of Al Ahly FC (R) during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group A match between Al Ahly FC and Internacional CF Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Al Ahly and Inter Miami kicked off the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with draw at Hard Rock Stadium in a tightly contested opener. Both teams failed to make an impact in the much-anticipated clash in FIFA’s newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which pitted African giants Al Ahly against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Early in the first half, the Red Devils were dealt a blow when Emam Ashour left the pitch in tears with a shoulder injury just 12 minutes in, making way for debutant Ahmed Sayed Zizo. The...

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3Jun By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Reigning champions Argentina assemble ahead of World Cup qualifiers

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - NOVEMBER 19: Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 South American Qualifier match between Argentina and Peru at Estadio Alberto J. Armando on November 19, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Carlos Sipán/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) Lionel Messi rejoined Argentina's national team the first time on Sunday, following a seven-month international absence, to prepare for this month's FIFA World Cup South American Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia. The last time Messi played for his country was in November 2024. The World Cup winning captain missed the Albiceleste's matches in March due to a muscle problem, but is now back in good form. The 37-year-old striker was named Major League Soccer (MLS) Player of the Week ...

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29May By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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‘United’ Miami adapt after Alba, Lujan injuries

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19May By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

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Lionel Messi urges Inter Miami to be ‘united’ amid struggles

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MAY 18: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami FC controls the ball away from Joran Gerbet #35 of Orlando City SC during the game at Chase Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/Getty Images) Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi urged the team to stay strong and remain united after losing 3-0 to in-state rivals Orlando City at Chase Stadium on Sunday night. The result makes it five losses in the past seven games for Miami, which has conceded 20 goals since the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal series against the Vancouver Whitecaps on April 24. "[We need to] keep going. It's a complicated time," Messi told Apple TV after the game. "But we'll all stay united. We're a team in difficult times, because when e...

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11May By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Messi scores, but short-handed Inter Miami blown out at Minnesota United 4-1

ST.PAUL, MN - MAY 10: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF in front of Tani Oluwaseyi #14 of Minnesota United FC during a game between Inter Miami CF and Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on May 10, 2025 in St.Paul, Minnesota. Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Anthony Markanich and Robin Lod each scored goals to lead Minnesota United to a 4-1 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday afternoon in St. Paul, Minn. Minnesota (6-2-4, 22 points) won its second consecutive MLS match and third in a row across all competitions. The Loons handed Inter Miami (6-2-3, 21 points) its most lopsided loss in league play this season. Miami played without forward Luis Suarez, who did not make the trip due to personal reasons, and without left winger Fafa Picault due to illness. Lionel Messi scored his sixth goal th...

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1May By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Inter Miami crash out in Champions Cup semi-final

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - APRIL 30: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball whilst under pressure from Daniel Rios #14 of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Semi-final Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium on April 30, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami may have just been dealt a warning in the Concacaf Champions Cup -- the future is now. Despite having Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Miami could not overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit to the Vancouver Whitecaps, losing the second leg at home 3-1 (5-1 aggregate). Miami even found the net first -- and most importantly, early -- in the second leg. Messi found Suarez, who then assisted Alba for the finish in the ninth min...

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25Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Lionel Messi starts for Inter Miami vs. Vancouver in Champions Cup semifinal

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 8: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF is seen during a training session at the Florida Blue Training Center on March 8, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nearly a year after being heartbroken when Lionel Messi was a no-show for the Inter Miami game on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps, fans in the Canadian city got their wish. The Argentine icon traveled this time and was in the starting lineup for the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals at BC Place. The average listed price for the game jumped 92 percent, from $99 to $190, after it was confirmed that Messi would make an appearance at the game, according to data from Vivid Seats ticket marketplace. A crowd of 53,000 was expected, which would break a Whitecaps record. The home crow...

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12Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Inter Miami have three options in Lionel Messi extension talks

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 8: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF is seen during a training session at the Florida Blue Training Center on March 8, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Getty Images) Lionel Messi is reportedly closing in on agreeing to a contract extension at Inter Miami this summer as part of his World Cup plan. The Argentina captain has openly stated his firm determination to lead Argentina in their world title defence at the FIFA 2026 tournament in North America and that looks to be still on track. Messi has hit the ground running at the start of the 2025 MLS season with three goals scored already despite some injury concerns.However, his future remains unresolved, despite club owner Jorge Mas confirming talks are ongoing to renew his c...

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4Apr By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid legend Guti drops shock Lamine Yamal v Lionel Messi comparison

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 02: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona in action during the Copa del Rey semi-final Leg Two match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on April 02, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images) Lamine Yamal continues to be a leading light in the Barcelona attack as Hansi Flick pushes for a trophy treble in 2025. The Spain international is crucial for club and country despite 2024/25 being just his second full season as a first teamer. From Barcelona’s 29 La Liga games this season, Lamine Yamal has started 24, and completed 90+ minutes in all but one of them, as an underlining of his growing importance. His stats remain impressive, with six La Liga goals and 11 assists, leading the rankings in the latter m...

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30Mar By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

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Messi scores 2 minutes into return in Miami win

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF controls the ball against Olwethu Makhanya #29 of Philadelphia Union during the second half at Chase Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi made an immediate impact for Inter Miami against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night, scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory that lifted the South Florida side into first place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference. Messi returned to the lineup and scored less than two minutes after subbing into the match early in the second half. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took a pass from Luis Suárez on the right side of the penalty box, made a quick move and sent a right-footed shot past two Philadelphia defenders into the net for a 2-0 Inter ...

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26Feb By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Lionel Messi fined for grabbing New York City coach by the neck

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 25: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF smiles during a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup second leg match between Sporting Kansas City and Inter Miami at Chase Stadium on February 25, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for grabbing one of New York City FC's coaching staff on the neck after Saturday's MLS opener, the league said. Video footage showed Messi approach the coach and grab the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-times Ballon d'Or winner after the 2-2 draw in Miami. The fine was imposed by the MLS' Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday. The top-flight North American league also fined Messi's teammate Luis Suarez on Tuesday for violating the same "face/head/neck of...

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20Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Messi wants to take part in 2026 World Cup

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 18: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF waves to fans during warmups before a preseason friendly match against America at Allegiant Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Inter Miami FC defeated America 3-2 in a penalty shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Inter Miami and Argentina striker Lionel Messi recently responded to a question about his potential participation in the 2026 World Cup, Azernews reports. "The year is just beginning, and I'm starting it with great desire and enthusiasm. I hope that I will feel good and be able to have a strong pre-season, so I can be in the best shape for the official matches," Messi stated. This season, Messi has played 22 matches for his club across all competitions, scoring 21 goals and providing 18 a...

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17Jan By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

NEWS

Neymar : Mbappe was jealous of Messi at PSG

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 13: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF looks on during a training session at Florida Blue Training Center on January 13, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) Striker Neymar says his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe became "a little jealous" after superstar Lionel Messi joined the French club in August 2021 in a free transfer. Speaking in a podcast hosted by World Cup winner Romário released Thursday, the 32-year-old Brazilian who plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal added big egos had affected the performances of PSG in big matches.Neymar made his comments after Romário asked whether Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid this season, "is annoying." "No, he is not. I have my things with him, we had a little fig...

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11Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Messi: Miami will ‘come back stronger next year’

Lionel Messi vowed to "come back stronger" in 2025, following Inter Miami's elimination for the 2024 Major League Soccer playoffs on Saturday night at Chase Stadium. FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami reacts against Atlanta United during the second half of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup playoffs at Chase Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) The Herons fell 3-2 to Atlanta United FC in the final match of the Round 1 best-of-three playoff series as goals from Jamal Thiaré and Bartosz Slisz forced an end to Miami's historic season. "A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more," Messi said on Instagram. "Thanks to all the people who joi...

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17Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Argentina:Messi scores hat trick against Bolivia

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates midfielder #15 Thiago Almada and defender #16 Nahuel Molina after scoring a goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Bolivia at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on October 15, 2024. Bolivia may have been rolling in World Cup qualifying, but that wouldn't matter heading into Argentina to face Lionel Messi and La Albiceleste. Messi made his first start in Argentina in 333 days and didn't disappoint, scoring a goal 19 minutes into the match to put Argentina ahead. By halftime that lead would balloon to 3-0 as Messi added two more assists to his exploits. In true Messi fashion, he didn't stop there with two goals in two minutes to finish a hat trick in a 6-0 vi...

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11Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

NEWS

Lionel Messi points the blame in furious interview after Argentina draw

Lionel Messi blamed the wet pitch at the Estadio Monumental de Maturin for Argentina's "ugly" 1-1 draw with Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. Nicolas Otamendi's first-half goal was cancelled out by a header from former West Brom, Newcastle and Everton striker Salomon Rondon and Messi was not happy with the state of the pitch which had been soaked by the heavy rainfall in Venezuela. The game was initially delayed as a result of the rain, but play eventually went ahead with both teams sharing the points. Argentina are currently top of the CONMEBOL standings with 19 points, while Venezuela sit seventh. The top six teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the side that finishes seventh will enter the play-offs. Reflecting on the draw with Venezuela, Messi told Argentine broadcas...

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9Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola contract boost, De Bruyne extension, Messi reunion – Man City Club World Cup latest

In normal circumstances, a chance for Manchester City to defend their title as world champions in a major showpiece tournament would be one they would relish. However, the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup from seven teams to 32 has been beset by delays, controversies and criticism. Pep Guardiola has insisted City will travel to the USA with a full squad and with the intention to defend their crown - but he has been equally critical of the new format that will extend City's season into 12 months. Guardiola is out of contract midway through the tournament, while Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne are in the same position. FIFA recently introduced rules to account for such situations, handing City a potential triple contract boost - although Guardiola reacted angrily when he learned of ru...

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16Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

NEWS

Argentina legend drops huge 2026 FIFA World Cup prediction for Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi was back in action on Sunday, and scored a brace in Inter Miami's 3-1 win vs Philadelphia Union. Before this match, the attacker was on the sidelines, having sustained an ankle injury during Argentina's win against Colombia in the Copa America final, on July 14. With Argentina set to defend their FIFA World Cup title in 2026, many fans have been left wondering about the former Barcelona's star's availability, as he is already 37-years-old. Messi's former teammate and Argentina legend Juan Roman Riquelme feels that the Inter Miami star will feature in the tournament in 2026. Speaking on AZZ channel, he said, "Messi is reinventing himself. You never know what he can do. And I have no doubt that he will play in the next World Cup, he has to play. We will all be rooting for him...

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