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.
Lionel Messi will once again be the notable absentee from the MLS All-Star Game this week in Charlotte, but the Inter Miami superstar is set to avoid the disciplinary action that followed his withdrawal last year. Despite being named to the roster for the showpiece event against the Liga MX All-Stars, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been granted special leave alongside international team-mate Rodrigo De Paul.
Atlanta United are reportedly exploring a blockbuster move to upgrade their attack, opening talks with former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez. The Uruguay international has emerged as a leading target as the club prepares for a potential designated player opening, although Atlanta are also pursuing Switzerland forward Breel Embolo.
U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Sebastian Berhalter is set to join Middlesbrough in a deal worth around $2 million, sources have confirmed to GOAL. Berhalter was entering the final six months of his contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps, who will get a fee for their star midfielder rather than see him walk for free at the end of his deal with the club.
Antoine Griezmann has officially introduced himself to Major League Soccer in the best fashion possible. The French icon scored a superb goal on his MLS debut for Orlando City, helping his new side secure a dominant 4-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
Luis Suarez stepped up in the absence of Lionel Messi to score twice and guide Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire, spoiling Robert Lewandowski's MLS debut. After the match, Herons manager Guillermo Hoyos praised the Uruguayan veteran, comparing his tactical intelligence to that of his iconic Argentine team-mate.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never been team-mates, but Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL that it would “make sense” for two GOATs to be kept apart in MLS if CR7 were to join his eternal rival in the United States. There has been talk of a remarkable union being pieced together at Inter Miami, but not everybody is convinced that a couple of iconic figures should grace the same team.
Inter Miami have secured the blockbuster free transfer of Casemiro, but Major League Soccer have immediately launched a formal investigation into the deal. The league is actively reviewing allegations of tampering made by LA Galaxy, who held the initial discovery rights for the Brazilian midfielder, casting a significant shadow over his highly anticipated arrival in the United States.
Minnesota United have officially confirmed that James Rodriguez has left the club following a brief stint in Major League Soccer. The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich playmaker finds himself as a free agent once again after the Western Conference side decided against extending his stay in the United States.