Argentina teammates Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul were not included in Javier Mascherano’s matchday squad for Inter Miami’s road clash with Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium. Neither player is injured, and both were reportedly rested ahead of Miami’s second-leg meeting with Nashville SC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The race for the Barcelona presidency has reached a fever pitch following a volatile televised debate between incumbent Joan Laporta and challenger Victor Font. Tensions were ignited by bombshell claims from former manager Xavi Hernandez, who alleged that Laporta personally blocked a sensational return for Lionel Messi in 2023. With Sunday's election looming, the two candidates have clashed over whether the Argentine icon represents the club's glorious past or a missed opportunity for its future.
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike believes his "difficult" stint at Paris Saint-Germain was the perfect bridge to stardom. Despite struggling for consistent minutes in the French capital, the 23-year-old insists that sharing a dressing room with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar provided him with an incomparable education that is now paying dividends in the Premier League.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva, challenging Juventus for his signature. The 31-year-old is set to leave the Etihad this summer, with a switch to MLS now emerging as one of his free transfer options.
Within a Real Madrid squad that is packed full of Galacticos, Fede Valverde is rarely singled out for what he offers to Los Blancos despite his obvious importance to the team. On Wednesday, though, he was able to hog the limelight after his stunning first-half hat-trick saw off Manchester City in the Champions League. His performance also earned him the rarest of plaudits: A 10/10 rating from L'Equipe.
Neymar has hinted at injuries forcing him to retire at the end of 2026, but a fellow Brazilian is tipping the 34-year-old playmaker to make the “truly massive” call of joining Lionel Messi in MLS. Neymar previously worked with the Argentine GOAT at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, with Kleberson telling GOAL why a reunion at Inter Miami remains a distinct possibility.
Inter Miami were forced to settle for a frustrating scoreless draw with Nashville SC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup last 16 tie. Neither side created much, and Lionel Messi was kept surprisingly quiet in a poor fixture between two sides that looked more eager not to lose. The two teams combined for just five shots on target over the course of 90 minutes.
Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has called for the club to finally honour Lionel Messi with a fitting tribute, while expressing his hope that the Argentine superstar continues his career at the highest level for "a few more years". Speaking on his 38th birthday, the Croatian reflected on the impact his former team-mate has had on the sport, noting that Messi's influence transcends club rivalries and borders.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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