All articles tagged with #lionel messi
Messi left the Philadelphia Union match with 17 minutes remaining due to fatigue, not a confirmed injury; while hamstring concerns surfaced, there is no reported muscle damage and tests will determine the issue. Club and coach emphasized fatigue and heavy field conditions, suggesting he should be fit for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign as preparation continues.
Lionel Messi stars as Inter Miami secure their first win at Nu Stadium, underscoring his ongoing impact in MLS.
Inter Miami defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 at the Nu Stadium for their first home win, with Messi scoring and assisting Berterame after a back-heel setup, while La Familia staged a silent protest over player-fan engagement before some players acknowledged the fans after the final whistle.
Messi’s new MLS contract keeps him at $28.3M for Inter Miami, the league’s top earner by a wide margin—more than double Son Heung-min’s $11.2M and Rodrigo De Paul’s $9.7M. MLSPA data map each club’s top earner and wage bill, show the Opulent XI totaling about $74.3M (driven by Messi), and track wage-bill changes across teams from fall 2025 to spring 2026, including San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano situation and other notable signings.
The MLS Players Association released 2026 salary data showing Lionel Messi earning $28.3 million in guaranteed compensation, far higher than any other MLS player and nearly the entire league payroll; the numbers highlight how much clubs rely on Designated Players (DPs) to chase big salaries, with cap room managed via General Allocation Money. Salaries exclude transfer fees and other non-wage costs, so totals don’t reflect transfers like Philadelphia Union’s $4.5 million signing Ezekiel Alladoh. Philadelphia is the lowest-spending club by salary, while the top earners include Son Heung-min, Rodrigo De Paul, Chucky Lozano, Miguel Almirón, Emil Forsberg, Sam Surridge, Riqui Puig, Jonathan Bamba and Hany Mukhtar. The data provides transparency but isn’t the full financial picture of MLS teams.
Barcelona sealed their 29th La Liga title by beating Real Madrid at Camp Nou, extending their run to 11 straight league wins; Lionel Messi—now with Inter Miami—congratulated his former club with a four-word Instagram post, 'Campeones!!! Visca el Barça!!!', as Barça continue their dominance in a post-Messi era.
Inter Miami’s 4-3 loss to Orlando City keeps them winless in four as Lionel Messi delivers a moment of magic but the team’s defensive frailties persist, even amid a midseason coaching shift to Guillermo Hoyos after Mascherano’s resignation. The piece also notes ongoing Miami media/access tensions and broader MLS storylines, including 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan’s substitution controversy for the Union and the San Diego FC/Chucky Lozano saga, capped by a stoppage-time winner for LAFC over San Diego amid Lozano’s absence and fan banners calling for his return.
Argentina will close its World Cup warmups with two U.S. games: June 6 vs Honduras at Kyle Field in College Station and June 9 vs Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn—the latter marking the first international match at Auburn’s venue. Tickets go on sale April 15. Messi’s U.S. presence continues to draw huge crowds as Argentina heads into World Cup Group J (Algeria, Austria, Jordan) after a buildup featuring non-participating opponents in the Road to 26 series.
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 CF celebrated their 2025 MLS Cup victory with a White House East Room ceremony, where Lionel Messi and other club figures met President Donald Trump after a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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.
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.
Paolo Guerrero scores twice to power Alianza Lima to a 3-0 victory over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in a 2026 international friendly at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva in Lima.
The organiser of Lionel Messi's India tour was detained after chaos erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where fans vandalized the venue during Messi's brief appearance, leading to police intervention and an investigation into the mismanagement.
Lionel Messi won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, becoming Miami's first-ever recipient and the first Argentine since 2021. His performance helped Miami reach the MLS Cup Playoffs, and he continues to add to his legendary career achievements.