Page 5 - Lionel Messi

Suarez, Messi partner up off field to launch new Division 4 team in Uruguay

Suarez, Uruguay's all-time leading scorer, emphasised the significance of LSM in a video shared on social media

Lionel Messi's late free kick goal hands Inter Miami a 3-3 draw vs Union

Lionel Messi gave Inter Miami a pep talk this week, exhorting his MLS team to be more united than ever to get through a recent rough stretch. Motivational speeches sometimes work. Messi being Messi almost never fails. Messi got a rise out of the crowd when he scored on a free kick late in the 87th minute to pull Inter Miami within one and had the assist on Telasco Segovia's tying goal in the 95th minute, helping Inter Miami rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Philadelphia Union 3-3 on Saturday night. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, scored a crucial goal in his first game since he challenged Inter Miami during a rare television interview to stick together after a loss against Orlando. Inter Miami stuck together down the stretch to stun the Union. Messi finally solved 19-year-old Union goalie Andrew Rick late in front of a packed house that came to watch one of soccer's greats and also to root on a Union team that came minutes away from i

Messi vs Yamal: How close is Lamine Yamal to Lionel Messi's teenage trail?

As Lamine Yamal dazzles at the age of 17, it is termed that the prodigy is starting to mirror the legend Lionel Messi. Check out the comparison teenage Messi and Yamal at the age of 17 years

Messi vs Yamal set as UEFA, CONMEBOL confirm ARG vs ESP Finalissima in 2026

As Argentina prepares for the 2026 edition of this prestigious fixture, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi, who is likely to feature in one of his final outings in the famous Albiceleste shirt

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier: Messi ruled out due to adductor injury

Lionel Messi will miss Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil over the next eight days because of an injury to his adductor. The 37-year-old Messi was not included in the 25-man squad announced on Monday by coach Lionel Scaloni. Later Monday, Inter Miami said Messi the reigning Major League Soccer MVP underwent an MRI to assess the extent of the discomfort in his adductor region, an injury that the team said occurred in Sunday's win over Atlanta United. The examination's findings confirmed the presence of a low-grade injury in the adductor muscle, Inter Miami said. His clinical progress and response to treatment will determine his availability for competition. Argentine media initially reported Messi suffered a sore left thigh on Sunday during Inter Miami's 2-1 victory. Argentina, which leads South America, will visit second-placed Uruguay on Friday and host fifth-placed Brazil four days later at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires. Messi was not the only ...

Messi-Picault stars as Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 in MLS 2025

Lionel Messi scored early and Faf Picault scored the winner after subbing in late to rally Inter Miami to a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Picault's first goal this season came in his second appearance with an assist from defender Jordi Alba his second in the 89th minute on Sunday night. Messi scored the equaliser in the 20th minute. It was his first goal in two starts this season. Brooks Lennon made his 200th career start and first this season and immediately had an impact in the 11th minute when he sent a crossing pass to Emmanuel Latte Lath, who sent a header past former Atlanta United goalkeeper Rocco Ros Novo. It was Latte Lath's third goal in his fourth career start. Miguel Almirn also had an assist his second this season and 30th of his career. The goal ended a 195-minute scoring drought. It was a club-record-tying 39th career assist for Lennon equaling the mark of Julian Gressel. Lennon saw action for the first time since injuring his shoulder

Why Cristiano Ronaldo can never be overshadowed by old rival Lionel Messi?

While Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever play the game, there are a few milestones that seem destined to remain solely within Ronaldo's domain.

Lionel Messi to India confirmed? When will Argentina come to play in India?

In addition to a friendly match, Messi is expected to spend 20 minutes on a public stage to interact with his fans in Kerala.

Lionel Messi to return to Europe? New contract with Inter Miami revealed

Messi's new contract aims to give him the flexibility to join a European club on loan, maintaining his fitness ahead of Argentina's World Cup title defense in 2026.

Biden honours Hillary, George Soros with Presidential Medal of Freedom

Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Saturday presented US' highest civilian award to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, controversial philanthropist George Soros, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, scientist Bill Nye, and actor Denzel Washington along with 14 others with the country's highest civilian award the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Due to scheduling conflict, Argentinian football star Lionel Messi could not be present in person at the White House to receive the award from the US president. For the final time as President, I have the honour of bestowing the Medal of Freedom on our nation's highest civilian honour on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America, Biden said at a glittering function in the East Room of the White House. Former president Bill Clinton, several of his Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Loyd Austin along with several celebritie

Biden to present Presidential Medal of Freedom to Clinton, Soros, Messi

US President Joe Biden has named former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, football superstar Lionel Messi, former Defence Secretary late Ashton Carter, and controversial investor George Soros, along with 14 others for the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. The Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the Nation's highest civilian honour, would be presented to the awardees at a White House ceremony by Biden Saturday afternoon. The prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavours, the White House said Saturday. Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made ...

Lionel Messi holds IPO for real estate assets, portfolio valued at $232 mn

His arrival in Miami has sparked a boom in interest and business for his Inter Miami team and more broadly for MLS, the main US football league

Lionel Messi bags MLS MVP Award, expanding his long list of honours

It was a rare instance of Lionel Messi stepping on a soccer field and having no idea what was happening. There they were, more than 250 Inter Miami academy players, a slew of kids lined up at midfield in a formation that spelt out three letters: MVP. And when Messi saw his children, he realized they were holding a trophy. That's how Messi learned he was Major League Soccer's best player in 2024. Messi is the MLS MVP, even after a season where he missed 15 of Inter Miami's 34 regular-season matches with injuries or commitments to Argentina's national team. He factored into a league-high 36 goals scoring 20, assisting on 16 others for the highest rate per 90 minutes in MLS history. Truly, it is an honour for me to receive this award from all of you, Messi told the academy players. MLS revealed the voting results Friday. Messi edged out Columbus Crew forward Cucho Hernndez for the award, which is determined by a poll of players, club technical staff and select media members. The

Messi's Inter Miami placed among bottom seeds for Club World Cup 2025

Manchester City and Real Madrid will be placed in the highest-ranking pot in the draw for the Club World Cup, while Lionel Messi's Inter Miami is in the lowest. FIFA confirmed on Tuesday the procedure for the draw, which takes place in Miami on Thursday. The newly expanded tournament will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13 next year. Also in Pot 1 are European giants Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain as well as the four highest-ranked teams from South America: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense. Inter Miami, which qualified despite being eliminated in the first-round of the MLS Cup playoffs, is in Pot 4, along with the Seattle Sounders. FIFA said the 32 qualified teams had been allocated positions in four pots for the draw to ensure competitive balance and geographical diversity. Pot 1 consists of the highest-ranked teams in Europe and South America, while Pot 2 is made up of the remaining European qualifiers. Pot 3 has Neymar's Saudi Arabian te

Silva scores in stoppage time, Atlanta rallies to beat Messi's Miami 2-1

Xande Silva scored with about a minute to go in stoppage time shortly after a goal by Lionel Messi was waved off by a clear offside, giving ninth-seeded Atlanta United a 2-1 victory over Inter Miami and evening the best-of-three MLS playoff series at one game apiece. Silva on Saturday blasted a right-footed shot into the top left corner to beat goalkeeper Drake Callender in the 94th minute. The Atlanta player celebrated by ripping off his shirt and dancing in front of the supporters section at Mercedes-Benz Stadium while the announced crowd of 68,455 cheered. Messi had plenty of good scoring chances but only found the back of the net with the flag raised for offside. Atlanta United took off the other way for Silva's game winner. United rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit, the result of a huge error by keeper Brad Guzan, to force a decisive game next Saturday in South Florida. Atlanta has a chance to pull off a major upset, having finishing a whopping 34 points behind Messi's ...

Ballon d'Or 2024: Rising stars set to challenge Messi, Ronaldo legacy

No Lionel Messi. No Cristiano Ronaldo. When the Ballon d'Or is presented at a gala ceremony in Paris on Monday, it will feel like the start of a new era in soccer. There is also a sense of void now that one of sport's most engrossing rivalries is likely over. It's interesting that as it starts to come to an end, we are sort of saying, what's the next equivalent rivalry going to be," soccer author Jonathan Wilson told The Associated Press. "As if that kind of rivalry was a natural state. But, there's never been a rivalry like that before. Messi and Ronaldo won soccer's most prestigious individual award a combined 13 times over 16 years of unprecedented dominance. Neither has been nominated this year. Instead Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is the favourite to be crowned the world's best player and become the first winner born this century. He underlined his credentials this week with a stunning Champions League hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund. Vinicius had an incredible seaso

Inter Miami secures 2-1 win over Atlanta in Messi's MLS playoff debut

Lionel Messi had chances at goals time and time again, only to keep being denied. Turns out, all he needed to do was deliver the right pass at the right time. Jordi Alba turned a pass from Messi into the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez also scored and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Friday night in the opening game of a best-of-three first round Major League Soccer playoff series. It was not the easiest of openers for the Supporters Shield winners, the No. 1 overall seed in the MLS Cup playoffs a team that set a league record with 74 points in the regular season, 34 points ahead of wild-card Atlanta in the standings. Saba Lobjanidze scored for Atlanta, which got eight saves from goalkeeper Brad Guzan. Game 2 will be November 2 at Atlanta the last road game of the season, no matter what, for Inter Miami. Game 3, if necessary, will be November 9 in Fort Lauderdale. "It's going to be difficult for us, Inter Miami coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino said. "It's going t

Messi's 2024 earnings outstrip payrolls of 22 Major League Soccer teams

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi earned more than the entire payrolls of 22 other Major League Soccer teams, and Olivier Giroud has $3,675,000 in annualized total compensation under the contract he signed to join Los Angeles FC in July. The Major League Soccer Players Association released its salary update on Thursday and Messi's $12 million base salary and $20,446,667 in total compensation from Inter Miami remained the same as in the initial listing in May. Those figures cover what Messi receives from his MLS deal, which runs through the 2025 season, including any marketing bonus and agent's fees. They do not account for any additional agreements with the team or its affiliates, or for any performance bonuses. Average guaranteed compensation rose 9.8% to $596,226 from $543,207. Miami, the league's regular-season Supporters Shield champion, led the league with a record $41.7 million payroll, double all but Toronto ($31.8 million), Los Angeles FC ($22.1 million), the LA Galaxy ($22 millio

Inter Miami beat New England 6-2 to break most points record in the MLS

Lionel Messi checked into the match early in the second half, the score tied and Inter Miami's chances at breaking a pair of Major League Soccer regular-season records very much uncertain. In that instant, it all changed. Messi had three goals his first MLS hat trick and an assist in the span of about 30 minutes, Luis Suarez scored twice and Inter Miami rolled past New England 6-2 on Saturday night to set MLS records for most points and best winning percentage. Inter Miami finished with 74 points, one more than New England had in its record-setting season in 2021. Best player ever. Best MLS record ever. A perfect match. This night is yours, Inter Miami primary owner Jorge Mas said after the match, as the team celebrated the Supporters' Shield which it won earlier this month on the road at Columbus in a ceremony for the home fans. The best fans on the face of the Earth. The party was going to happen either way. Messi just made it even more special. At 22-4-8 in league play, In

Inter Miami will play in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: FIFA President

Lionel Messi is heading to the Club World Cup next year. FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Saturday night that Inter Miami will play in the tournament, something that had been long expected given Messi's enormous popularity around the world and how the tournament already planned on some matches in South Florida. The event, which is set to be played every four years, includes 32 teams from FIFA's six soccer confederations. Inter Miami will play in the tournament opener, scheduled for June 15, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States, Infantino said in an on-field ceremony after Inter Miami broke Major League Soccer's mark for most points in a regular season. The tournament runs through July 13, with the final scheduled for New Jersey's MetLife Stadium also the site of the 2026 World Cup final.