SW Essen Overview

Lionel Messi's arrival in MLS has heightened his status as a global marketing icon, but Steve Carell has discovered that the Inter Miami captain is a man of incredibly few minutes when the cameras start rolling. While brands are desperate to land the Argentine GOAT for their campaigns, they must adhere to a strict protocol that leaves production teams in a total panic.

GOAL runs down the major storylines of the week in MLS, with new stars struggling for rhythm and old ones proving their quality

Lionel Messi has presented his Argentina team-mates with personalised gifts following their 2026 World Cup campaign. The generous gesture was publicly revealed on social media by Kelci-Rose Bowers, the girlfriend of Tottenham Hotspur defender Marcos Senesi, showcasing a stunning golden mate set given to the squad by the captain.

Lionel Messi has made his first public appearance since Argentina’s heartbreaking defeat to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. The legendary playmaker was spotted back in his homeland, taking in some local football as he begins his post-tournament recovery period.