The first stop of Lionel Messi's India tour took an unexpected turn as angry fans ripped up seats and hurled objects onto the pitch as chaos descended at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. The unsavoury scenes came due to fan disgruntlement at Messi's brief 20-minute appearance, where they 'could not see his face'. The event organiser has been detained as a result of the incident and an enquiry is ongoing.
Mohamed Salah has been urged to follow Son Heung-min's example and head to Major League Soccer in January, with Chris Waddle insisting the Liverpool legend should consider a new life in America as age and tactical demands catch up with him. With tensions under Arne Slot still raw, the Egyptian winger is again being pushed toward an Anfield exit as speculation intensifies.
Mic'd Up: The Apple TV analyst breaks down Inter Miamiâs MLS Cup win, explains why Messi still decides everything, backs MLSâs move to a fall-spring calendar, and tips LA Galaxy to rebound in 2026.
MLS commissioner Don Garber has publicly encouraged Mohamed Salah to consider a move to the United States amid escalating uncertainty over the Liverpool starâs future. With his relationship with manager Arne Slot fractured and interest growing across the Atlantic, Garber urged the Egyptian to speak directly with Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller to learn how transformative MLS life can be.
Juventus legend Claudio Marchisio has explained why he would always urge youngsters to follow the âexampleâ of Cristiano Ronaldo over that of Lionel Messi. The two all-time greats have reached the very top of their chosen profession, but took different paths en route to the summit. Portuguese icon Ronaldo has always been about hard work, while Argentine GOAT Messi is more naturally gifted.
Lionel Messi has been caught on camera speaking English. The Argentine superstar has been plying his trade in the United States since 2023. He forms part of a large Spanish-speaking community in Miami, but has clearly been working on becoming bilingual. He was captured putting his language skills to the test in footage obtained by the match referee during the 2025 MLS Cup final.
Messi has lifted the trophy, but the real work starts now. Miami have decisions to make, Philadelphia's prodigy Cavan Sullivan is waiting for his chance, and every contender is hunting the right signing before February.
Former USMNT star Tim Howard reflected on Inter Miamiâs 3-1 MLS Cup win over Vancouver, acknowledging the significance of the title while warning of challenges ahead. He said the trophy cements the clubâs place in MLS's history after years of high-profile signings and marketing. He also cautioned that next year could provide challenges for Lionel Messi and warned Vancouver are on the rise.
Lionel Messi has been named Landon Donovan MLS MVP for the second straight season. The eight-time Ballon dâOr winner produced 48 goal contributions - the second-highest total in league history - and carried Inter Miami to third place in the Eastern Conference. He is the first player to win the award in back-to-back years.
Lionel Messi is considered to be âbetter than everâ as questions continue to be asked of his participation at the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine superstar is yet to confirm his involvement, but the door will always be left open for him. Ariel Ortega sees no reason why the eight-time Ballon dâOr winner cannot form part of a global title defence, with any fears regarding his presence in MLS being calmed.
Former Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe has used a Dragon Ball Z analogy to explain the GOAT battle that continues to rage between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Portuguese superstar is considered to be Vegeta to Messiâs Goku, with Pepe claiming that the eight-time Ballon dâOr-winning Argentine âslaps everyoneâ when it comes to the greatest of all-time debate.
Fifteen years ago, Manchester City were so enamoured with the all-conquering Barcelona that they sought to replicate the same structure. They began by hiring chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, before eventually landing Pep Guardiola to manage the team. All that was missing was Lionel Messi - though they nearly signed the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner at the very start of the Abu Dhabi-led project by mistake!
Lamine Yamal continues to be billed as the ânext Lionel Messiâ, having stepped out of the same La Masia academy system at Barcelona, but the teen sensation has been told that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe is âcloserâ to earning GOAT status than he is. That is the opinion of ex-Blancos star Guti, who has seen Yamal likened to Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona.
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