Nashville managed to withstand the power of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi, earning a 2-1 victory on Saturday night to force a decisive third game in their MLS playoff first-round series. They took advantage of their home crowd and a strong start to contain Las Garzas, who came close to equalizing late in the match through their Argentine captain.
Nashville started strong and held on to an early lead to beat Inter Miami in game two of their first round MLS playoff series, 2-1, on Saturday night. Lionel Messi scored the only goal for Miami, who threatened late but were unable to find a stoppage time equalizer, and could now face a second straight opening round elimination after taking a 1-0 lead.
Lionel Messi has expressed his strong desire to compete in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina next summer, saying it would be "wonderful" to get the chance to defend his nation's title of World Champions and play in the tournament for the sixth time in his glittering career. But the Inter Miami superstar explained that he wants to feel good about himself physically if he is to take part, so that he can "contribute and be important" for Lionel Scaloni's side.
Inter Miami will look to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in club history when they face Nashville SC Saturday in the second leg of the opening playoff round at Geodis Stadium. The visitors are under pressure to win and close out the series, while the hosts will aim to force a decisive third game.
The MLSPA revealed MLS player salaries for 2025, and for the third straight year, Inter Miami's Lionel Messi is the highest paid player in the league. The report offered insight into new additions, including LAFC's Son Heung-Min, Messi's teammate Rodrigo De Paul, the Vancouver Whitecaps' Thomas Muller, and Colorado Rapids' Paxten Aaronson.
A senior sports official claims that Saudi Arabia has turned down an offer to sign Lionel Messi on a short-term stint ahead of the World Cup. The MLS season is currently at its playoff stage and will run until early December, and is expected to return again next February for the 2026 season. The season will then go on a break next summer for the showpiece event before resuming in August.
Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti believes that Kylian Mbappe's departure to Real Madrid did not play a role in Les Parisiens' historic 2024-25 campaign, which ended with Champions League glory. The Italian midfielder defended the 26-year-old Frenchman's accomplishments in Paris and reflected on the team's failure to win the European crown with Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have both confirmed they will retire at the end of the MLS season. The former Barcelona pair moved to Inter Miami in 2023, where they linked up with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. However, in the midst of the playoffs, Messi has made a heartfelt admission as the curtain falls on the Spanish pair's playing career, which could be over in the next week or so.
Lionel Messi acknowledged that Inter Miami’s defensive lapses proved costly in their 2024 MLS first-round playoff loss to Atlanta United. Reflecting on that setback, the Miami superstar said the team has made progress under first-year head coach Javier Mascherano, as Miami opened the 2025 MLS playoffs with victory over Nashville SC.
Lionel Messi has revealed his GOATS from basketball and tennis while describing Argentina legend Diego Maradona as his "greatest idol". The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner reflected on the various icons who helped inspire his journey from a boy in Rosario to a global superstar. In his eyes, no one stands taller in the football world than Maradona, the legendary forward who inspired the Albiceleste to the 1986 World Cup.
Lionel Messi has urged MLS chiefs to overhaul the league's transfer rules to continue the rapid growth of the competition and bring more of the world’s best players to the United States. The Inter Miami star wants wide-sweeping changes to the Roster Rules, which are often seen as archaic and cumbersome, and have been accused of holding back MLS teams from buying top-tier world talent.
Lionel Messi has revealed the key criteria that will determine whether or not he lines up for defending champions Argentina at next year’s World Cup. The virtuoso forward is enjoying life in America with Inter Miami, but will turn 39 during next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and his inclusion in the Argentina squad is not guaranteed.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo continue to defy age and expectations after being named among the 26 finalists for the 2025 Men’s FIFPRO World 11 on Monday. The Argentina and Portugal superstars have been rewarded for their efforts in 2024-25 by being included on the star-studded list alongside Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
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