Lionel Messi

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.

Messi equals Ronaldo's record, check full list of most int'l hattricks

An all-round performance from the talisman saw him registering 2 assists along with his hattrick to complete a five-star performance on the night.

Messi named as a substitute for Inter Miami in their match against Toronto

Lionel Messi played off the bench for Inter Miami on Saturday at Toronto, the next-to-last contest of the regular season for the MLS Supporters Shield winners. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, came on as a reserve in the 61st minute, as did fellow would-be starter Sergio Busquets. Also out of the starting 11 for Inter Miami on Saturday were Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez and goalkeeper Drake Callender. Inter Miami coach Gerardo Tata Martino indicated Friday that Messi's workload would be a consideration now that the team has wrapped up the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage for the entirety of the MLS Cup playoffs. Inter Miami will play its first playoff match at home on Oct. 25. Messi is set to report to Argentina's national team in the coming days for World Cup qualifying matches on Oct. 10 and Oct. 15. Those matches, and the travel involved, would figure to put his availability in some doubt for Inter Miami's regular-season finale at home on Oct. 19 against New England. Osca

Miami's Lionel Messi wins 46th career trophy, lifts MLS Supporters Shield

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have another trophy, along with home-field advantage throughout the Major League Soccer playoffs. Messi scored twice in the final minutes of the first half, goalie Drake Callender stopped a penalty kick in the 84th minute and Inter Miami beat the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew 3-2 on Wednesday, wrapping up the Supporters Shield given annually to the team with the best regular-season record. It was Messi's 46th major trophy won for club or country, extending his record for the most by any men's soccer player in history. And it is the second he has won with Inter Miami, this Supporters Shield being added to the Leagues Cup trophy the Herons claimed shortly after Messi joined the club in 2023. We knew this was a group that could fight for this, Messi said. Luis Suarez also scored for Inter Miami, which will open a best-of-three first-round playoff series in the final weekend of October. If the team wins that series, it would have the right to hos

Messi back in Argentina's squad for WC qualifiers vs Venezuela and Bolivia

Lionel Messi will return to Argentina's national team for the South American World Cup qualifying matches against Venezuela and Bolivia. The 37-year-old star had missed recent matches because of an ankle injury. Coach Lionel Scaloni announced his squad Wednesday for the matches at Venezuela on Oct. 10 and five days later in Buenos Aires against Bolivia. Messi did not play the two previous rounds after sustaining an injury in the Copa America final against Colombia. Argentina won 1-0. Argentina leads South American qualifying with 18 points, followed by Colombia (16) and Uruguay (15). The top six teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and the seventh position will play an international playoff for a berth. ___ Squad: Goalkeepers: Walter Bentez (PSV Eindhoven), Gernimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid) Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germn Pezzella (River Plate), Marcos Acua (River Pla

Argentina minus Messi beats Chile to lead South American WC qualifying

Without injured Lionel Messi and the retired ngel Di Mara, Argentina eased past Chile 3-0 to remain on top of the South American 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 48, Julin lvarez added a goal in the 84th and Paulo Dybala capped the scoring in the 90th for the Argentinians, who have 18 points after the first seven rounds. The top six teams in the South American standings will qualify for the World Cup which will be played in the United States, Mxico and Canada in 2026, The team that finishes seventh will advance to a playoff against another confederation. After winning the Copa America in the United States, Argentina overcame the absence of the 37-year-old Messi, who suffered a right ankle injury in the final against Colombia. His future playing status remains uncertain. Di Mara, who has retired from the national team, was honored by fans and his teammates before the match was played at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 37-year-old Di M

Messi joins Inter Miami training for first time since ankle injury

Lionel Messi returned to group training with Inter Miami on Wednesday, more than six weeks after the Argentina captain left the Copa America final with a badly sprained right ankle. There is still no official timetable for when Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, will play again for Inter Miami which has the best record in Major League Soccer so far this season. Inter Miami visits Chicago on Saturday, then doesn't return to MLS play until a Sept. 14 match with Philadelphia. If Messi doesn't play this weekend, that means he'd have two more weeks to continue rehabbing before returning to game action. Messi was not selected by Argentina to play in World Cup qualifiers in early September. To see him on the field is great, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender said after the Wednesday workout. I know he's been getting treatment every single day, training every single day. He's dealt with things before. He's been there, done that and he's still doing it at the highest level. To se

No Messi in Argentina's squad for WC qualifiers against Chile and Colombia

Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina's next two World Cup qualifiers because of injury. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 28-man squad on Monday for the matches against Chile on September 5 and Colombia five days later. Messi is still recovering from a right ankle injury. The 36-year-old ngel Di Mara, who retired from the national team after winning the recent Copa America, is not on the list either. World Cup champion Argentina leads South American qualifying with 15 points after six matches. Squad: Goalkeepers: Walter Bentez (PSV Eindhoven), Gernimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martnez (Aston Villa). Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germn Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicols Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martnez (Manchester United), Nicols Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Valentn Barco (Brighton). Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Gu

Messi asked to apologise for Argentina players' racist chant post win

Lionel Messi faced calls to apologize for racist chants made by Argentina's players after they won the Copa America. An Argentinean government official said Messi, who is the team captain, and the president of the country's soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, should apologize after a video was shared on social media showing members of Argentina's triumphant squad singing a racist chant about French players with African heritage. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he was truly sorry for the incident and his Premier League club Chelsea said it had begun disciplinary action, describing discriminatory behavior as completely unacceptable. It is unclear from the video if Messi widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time participated in the chant. But Argentina's sports sub-secretary, Julio Garro, said he should say sorry. The national team captain must also come out to apologize for this case. The same AFA (Argentina Football Association) president," Garro said in radio

Messi exits Copa America final in 64th minute with apparent leg injury

Lionel Messi's night ended early during the Copa America final when he emotionally exited the field in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury. The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a noncontact injury while running full speed on the pitch as defending champ Argentina remained in a scoreless match against Colombia. Messi immediately looked toward the Argentina bench as he went to the ground. He remained down for several minutes as trainers came out. He was helped to his feet and immediately took his shoe off his right foot. As he walked off the field, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took off his captains armband and threw his shoe to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing in his seat. Messi went down in the first half after landing awkwardly when chasing a ball out of bounds. He rolled over several times as he grabbed at his lower right leg. Trainers worked on the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He walked ..

Spain's birthday boy Lamine Yamal wins Euro 2024 & best young player award

Spain's teenage phenom Lamine Yamal won the European Championship and the tournament's best young player award just a day after he turned 17. Yamal earned it mostly while he was still 16, but he crowned his contribution to Spain's success by setting up Nico Williams' opening goal in a 2-1 win over England in the final on Sunday. This is the best (birthday) gift I could have asked for. It's a dream come true, Yamal said. It got tough when they tied the score, but I don't know what this team is made of because we always fight back. England substitute Cole Palmer had equalized for England, but Mikel Oyarzabal clinched Spain's win in the 86th. Yamal set up Williams to score in the 47th by drifting inside Luke Shaw and playing the ball across to the left for the Athletic Bilbao winger to hit first time inside the far post. Yamal also brought two good saves from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Lamine is incredible, as you've all seen during this tournament, Williams said. The sky'

Copa America winners, runner-ups list, prize money; Argentina's titles win

Check Copa America 2024 winners, runner-ups and their prize money here. Find the answer of which team won most Copa America titles here

Messi to start against Canada in Copa America semifinal: Coach Scaloni

Lionel Messi won't be stopped by a leg injury and will play in Argentina's Copa America semifinal against Canada on Tuesday night. Messi has been dealing with a right leg problem since the group stage win over Chile on June 25. He missed the first-round finale four days later but played the entire match in the quarterfinal victory over Ecuador last Thursday. "Leo is good. He will be playing tomorrow, Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni said Monday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. At 37, Messi has 13 Copa America goals and is four behind the record shared by Argentina's Norberto Mndez and Brazil's Zizinho but hasn't scored in this year's tournament. It's an easy decision for me, Scaloni said. It's a fairly honest decision: I ask him how he feels. If he says I'm not good,' then he will play the last 30 minutes. When he's available, he will play. Seeking a record 16th Copa America title, Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in the June 20 tournament opener when Messi set up ...