All articles tagged with #inter miami
Lionel Messi scored his 71st career free kick to surpass Pelé, lifting Inter Miami to a 3-2 comeback win over NYCFC at Yankee Stadium with a late winner from Micael; at 38, Messi remains on track to challenge Juninho’s all-time free-kick record (77), needing six to tie and seven to take the lead, as Miami chase MLS Cup and Leagues Cup in 2026.
Lionel Messi became the second player ever to reach 900 top-level goals, scoring early for Inter Miami in a CONCACAF Champions Cup tie. The landmark adds to a career tally that includes 672 Barcelona goals in 778 games, 32 for PSG, 115 Argentina goals in 196 caps, and 81 Inter Miami goals in 92 appearances, with a breakdown of 755 left-footed, 111 right-footed, 30 headed and 4 other; 724 goals from inside the box and 176 outside, plus 112 penalties and 70 free-kicks. Ronaldo sits at 959, while Pele and Romario tallies are debated in official tallies.
Lionel Messi will rest for Inter Miami in their MLS Matchday 4 clash vs. Charlotte FC to stay fully fit for a Concacaf Champions Cup tie against Nashville. Rodrigo De Paul is also expected to be rested, while Sergio Reguilon returns from injury. Inter Miami aim for a third straight league win and to field their best team ahead of the Nashville rematch, with Messi on the sidelines for this match.
Inter Miami earned a valuable away point in a 0-0 MLS draw at Charlotte FC with Lionel Messi rested, while manager Javier Mascherano was sent off late. The Herons weathered pressure through stout defense and key saves, and now shift focus to a midweek Concacaf Champions Cup tie against Nashville.
Inter Miami defeated DC United 2-1 in a relocated MLS match played at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium before 72,026 spectators, with goals from Messi and De Paul. DC United moved the game to attract regional fans amid a long rebuild under René Weiler and Erkut Sogut, but were outplayed in the first half and could not equalize. The result highlighted Miami’s depth beyond its star trio and the market-driven appeal of big-name fixtures, while DC’s Baltimore move aimed to grow a fanbase and support future MLS Next Pro plans.
At Inter Miami’s White House ceremony celebrating the MLS Cup, President Donald Trump praised players and the Cuban‑American owner, then signaled Cuba’s freedom would come after finishing with Iran, using the moment to frame immigration in terms of supporting legally immigrated Americans.
Former President Donald Trump hosted Inter Miami and Lionel Messi at the White House to celebrate their championship, presenting Messi with a jeweled soccer ball as Trump basked in the spotlight amid broader geopolitical news; the moment underscored a clash between Trump’s showmanship and Messi’s more restrained stance.
The piece argues that during Inter Miami’s White House visit to celebrate the 2025 MLS Cup, President Trump used the moment to push foreign-policy and political messaging, with the players and Messi serving as backdrop rather than the focus; it notes Messi’s neutral public stance and frames the event within a pattern of sports figures being leveraged for political aims.
Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup victory lands in a politically charged moment as Trump extends a White House invitation, forcing players to weigh optics, loyalty, and personal beliefs—Messi’s possible attendance only intensifies the dilemma and highlights how teams must navigate politics in sports, often leaving athletes to answer for decisions that carry public consequences.
Lionel Messi sparked a dramatic Inter Miami comeback to stun Orlando City in the Florida Derby as MLS Matchday 2 delivered key moments, with Timo Werner delivering in another fixture; the round also featured Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Müller brace over Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake’s youngsters helping upset the Seattle Sounders.
Lionel Messi scored a brace, including a spectacular late free-kick, to lift Inter Miami from a 2-0 deficit and beat Orlando City 4-2 in the MLS Florida Derby, securing their first win of 2026; Mateo Silvetti and Telasco Segovia added goals as Miami completed the comeback, with a late red card for Orlando adding drama.
During Inter Miami's friendly against Independiente del Valle in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a pitch invasion led to Lionel Messi being knocked down after a fan ran onto the field, with a security guard involved; no injuries or further details are provided in the report.
MLS cleared Lionel Messi of any policy violation after video appeared to show him confronting match officials in a tunnel following Inter Miami's 3-0 loss to LAFC; officials confirmed he did not enter a restricted area or the referees' locker room, and no disciplinary action was taken.
MLS concluded Lionel Messi did not violate league policy following a postmatch video that appeared to show him following referees; the league said the door shown was not to the officials’ locker room and Messi did not enter a restricted area, so no action was taken and he remains eligible for Inter Miami's upcoming match.
LAFC beat Inter Miami 3-0 in the 2026 MLS season opener, with David Martinez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz scoring as LAFC controlled the match on the counter. Messi linked with teammates but Miami failed to finish and couldn’t penetrate a disciplined LAFC defense.