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.
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.
A reunion with Lionel Messi in MLS that could see Barcelona’s fabled ‘MSN’ strike force reformed at Inter Miami is one of two options available to Neymar as he mulls over his future. The Brazilian superstar is approaching the end of his current contract at Santos, with a big decision on what happens next needing to be made before 2025 comes to a close.
Following Inter Miami’s 3-1 win over Nashville SC in Game 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul - Messi’s longtime national team teammate - praised the captain’s influence and form. He added that Messi’s decision to remain with the Herons beyond this season has given the squad an extra spark heading into the postseason.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has penned a heartfelt message for Lionel Messi after the Argentine GOAT shut down speculation about his future by signing a new three-year contract with the MLS outfit. The forward has shown no signs of slowing down despite turning 38 in June and has already racked up a sensational 39 goals in 44 matches while setting up 19 more to inspire the Herons to an assured playoff spot.
Lionel Messi scored two goals, and Inter Miami took advantage of an admittedly sloppy Nashville SC to earn a 3-1 win and take a 1-0 lead in the first round of their MLS playoff series. The Argentine was short of his best, but opportunistic at the right moments, and the Herons' only real gripe can be that they didn't keep a clean sheet in their pursuit of an evasive MLS Cup.
Lionel Messi this week signed a three-year extension to stay with Inter Miami through 2028, and the Argentine says a major factor was the lifestyle in Florida. In addition to his family enjoying living in Miami, Messi told NBC Nightly News that he evaluated his mental and physical health and ultimately, the decision to remain in MLS was "easy."
Lionel Messi has been told the one reason why eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT, with Danny Simpson explaining that to GOAL during an exclusive interview. Premier League title winner Simpson worked with CR7 at Manchester United and considers him to boast unique qualities that separate him from any other player in history - including Argentine icon Messi.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has confirmed that Lionel Messi will be available for Friday’s MLS Cup Playoffs opener against Nashville SC, easing concerns after the Argentine missed training earlier in the week with a back injury. Mascherano said Messi returned to full training on Wednesday and Thursday, clearing him to feature at Chase Stadium.
Lionel Messi agreed to a contract extension with Inter Miami through 2028, the club announced Thursday, ending months of speculation over the Argentina superstar's future. It's a significant boost for both club and MLS, whose profiles have grown dramatically since his arrival in 2023. Messi, the 2024 league MVP, is the favorite to repeat this season.
David Beckham has shared images of the heartwarming moment in which his mother met Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi for the first time. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in the United States since 2023, with a stunning move being made to South Florida, but he has only just rubbed shoulders with members of Beckham’s immediate family.
Former USMNT star Herculez Gomez sparked debate by saying Carlos Vela's record-setting 2019 campaign was more impressive than Lionel Messi's current Golden Boot-winning season, despite the Argentine's contributing to 48 goals in just 28 appearances. Vela scored 34 goals and contributed to 49 goals in 31 games in 2019.
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