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Ex-Barca director backs Xavi in Messi return row

The controversy surrounding Lionel Messi's failed return to Barcelona in 2023 has not yet died down. Former sporting director Mateu Alemany has publicly supported Xavi Hernandez's explosive claims that the club had league approval to re-sign the Argentine star. This directly contradicts the official narrative from incumbent president Joan Laporta and La Liga chief Javier Tebas ahead of the elections.

MLS Rondo: Time to worry about James? Are San Jose that good?

One month into the MLS season, the early storylines are starting to take shape - from Inter Miami finding form again to growing concerns over James Rodriguez.

Font urges Messi to 'explain the truth' about failed Barca return

Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has challenged Lionel Messi to reveal the "truth" about his failed return to the club in 2023. With the election just days away, Font has claimed members are being misled by Joan Laporta’s "smokescreen" regarding the club’s greatest icon, on the back of explosive comments from former manager Xavi.

Laporta hits back at Xavi and Messi claims

In a fiery presidential debate ahead of the March 15 elections, Joan Laporta has sensationally hit back at former manager Xavi. Addressing recent claims that he deliberately sabotaged Lionel Messi’s return to Camp Nou, painted a picture of a coach who was struggling under the weight of the job. Laporta didn't hold back when discussing the legendary midfielder's departure, suggesting a lack of professional focus was the primary issue.

SPORTEL Monaco 2025 - Global Sports Media & Technology Convention - Day Two

Tebas denies Barca 'green light' for Messi

Javier Tebas has vehemently denied the explosive allegations that La Liga approved Lionel Messi's return to Barcelona in 2023. The league president's rebuttal comes amid a public feud that has erupted between Xavi Hernandez and Joan Laporta just days before the club's presidential elections, with the latter brutally dismissing the former coach's tenure while defending his own decisions.

Xavi claims Laporta BLOCKED Messi's Barca homecoming

Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has dropped a massive bombshell, claiming that Joan Laporta deliberately vetoed Lionel Messi's return to the club in 2023. Despite securing La Liga approval to re-sign the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner that summer, Laporta allegedly blocked the transfer, shattering fans' dreams.

Kimpembe explains why 'crazy' Messi ranks above Ronaldo

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe has weighed in on the eternal GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Frenchman has explained exactly why he believes that Argentine genius Messi operates on a completely different level, citing his natural talent and unmatched technical superiority.

Inter Miami CF v Nashville SC - 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs

Mascherano 'taken for granted because he coaches Messi'

Inter Miami continued their strong start to the 2026 MLS season with a vital 2-1 victory over D.C. United. While Lionel Messi grabbed the headlines once again with another spectacular goal, former USMNT star Sacha Kljestan believes the real architect of the club’s dominance, head coach Javier Mascherano, is currently operating in the shadows of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Will Messi be rested by Inter Miami? ‘Big mistake’ to be avoided

Lionel Messi is poised to be rested by Inter Miami at some stage in the not too distant future, with the MLS Cup winners eager to avoid making a “big mistake” while chasing down multiple trophies. The Herons are eager to successfully defend their domestic crown in the United States, while continental silverware is up for grabs in Champions Cup and Leagues Cup competition.

'More supporters than the home team!' - Messi advantage in MLS

The presence of Lionel Messi offers Inter Miami plenty of advantages, with team-mate Dayne St. Clair pointing out that one of those is often having “more supporters than the home team” when heading out on the road. The Herons are taking in five successive away games at the start of their 2026 MLS campaign, but intimidating atmospheres are in short supply.

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Revealed: How Messi is paid $80m a year by Inter Miami

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has pulled back the curtain on the staggering financial package that keeps Lionel Messi in South Florida, revealing the Argentine icon takes home between $70 million and $80 million per year. The eye-watering figure, which includes the World Cup winner's ownership shares, highlights the unprecedented investment required to bring the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient to Major League Soccer.

Messi and De Paul score to earn Miami narrow win over D.C.

The Herons held on to earn their second win of the season in front of over 70,000 in attendance at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium.

Mascherano defends Messi & Co. after White House visit

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has addressed the fallout from his team’s visit to the White House to meet President Donald Trump. The Herons' boss insists the squad remains focused on football despite the media frenzy surrounding the 2025 MLS Cup champions.

MLS urged to ditch Messi playbook when Argentine GOAT retires

MLS is being urged to ditch its Lionel Messi playbook when the Argentine GOAT retires, with the division being advised to focus more on youth development. Global superstars have been crucial to the development and promotion of domestic soccer in the United States, but Giuseppe Rossi has told GOAL why a culture shift needs to take place in order for the game to truly thrive.

Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo David Beckham

Ronaldo warned Messi link-up at Inter Miami would be 'weird'

Cristiano Ronaldo has been warned that a link-up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami would be “weird”, but the Portuguese is being urged to rekindle his rivalry with a familiar foe in MLS. Giuseppe Rossi, who once played alongside CR7 at Manchester United, has told GOAL why the evergreen frontman still has plenty of football left in him as questions are asked of his future at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Inter Miami CF v Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Audi 2025 MLS Cup Final

Why Beckham skipped Inter Miami's White House visit

Inter Miami have made their historic visit to the White House to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup triumph, but the club’s most famous owner was a notable absentee. While Lionel Messi and his team-mates were honoured by United States president Donald Trump, David Beckham was forced to remain in Europe due to a long-standing personal commitment. The former England captain’s scheduling conflict meant he missed a landmark moment for the franchise he built.

Frequently asked questions

: Joshua Zirkzee plays as a striker for his new club Manchester United, although he can also operate as a No. 10 or as a second striker.
: Joshua Zirkzee was born in Schiedam, located on the outskirts of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.
: Joshua Zirkzee wears the No. 11 jersey for Manchester United and aims to emulate one his idols Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored 29 goals in 53 games for the club between 2016 and 2018. “I would love it if, in a few years’ time, people said that my game looks a bit like Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The start, with the winning goal against Fulham, was nice," he said, as quoted by The Mirror.
: Joshua Zirkzee is 1.93m (6ft 4in) tall, having the prerequisite height for a striker. However, he offers a unique skill-set in that he is technically fluid, an excellent dribbler, and amazing with his link-up play.
: Joshua Zirkzee weighs 89kg (196 lbs). Despite his tall frame and his weight, he's a fast centre-forward with great shooting abilities, scoring the winner against Fulham on his Manchester United debut.
: Joshua Zirkzee joined local club VV Hekelingen as a five-year-old and then joined Spartaan '20 in 2010. Later, he joined the ADO Den Haag youth ranks in 2013, before joining Dutch giants Feyenoord in 2015.
: Joshua Zirkzee does not have any children yet.
: Dutch influencer and model Celina Kerr is Joshua Zirkzee's girlfriend. The footballer is yet to get married, though.

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