Inter Miami’s forward Lionel Messi continues to put MLS on notice with his exceptional performances. The latest one came during the 6-2 win over the New York Red Bulls this past weekend, during which Messi set a couple of league records.

Messi finished the game by scoring a goal and dishing five assists. By doing so, he set the new MLS record for most assists in a single game and most goal contributions (six) in a single game.

Three of Messi’s assists were converted to goals by his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez while newly-acquired midfielder Matías Rojas bagged two goals thanks to Messi.

“All [goals] were fundamental to the game, but Leo did something historic tonight with five assists and one goal,” said Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino after the game. 

Messi had a slow start to the 2024 campaign, missing four games due to a hamstring injury. But since returning to action in early April, the Argentina national team captain has been on a tear. He scored in five consecutive games and assisted in each of the last four matches.

Messi has 10 goals and nine assists in total eight matches of the new MLS season, while Inter Miami is currently sitting first in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 12 games.

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Inter Miami’s star forward Lionel Messi won’t make a decision on retirement based on his age. Instead, he will let his performance tell him when it’s time to bow out from professional soccer.

During a recent appearance on Big Time podcast, Messi said that he will continue playing as long as feels good and is able to perform at a high level.

“I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or not able to help my team-mates, then I will stop,” Messi, who turns 37 in June, said when asked about retirement. “I am really self-critical; I know when I am good and when I am bad. So for my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.”

Messi made his professional debut with La Liga powerhouse Barcelona in 2004. He went on to establish himself as one of the best players in the history of the game, winning 34 trophies in his 17 years with the club. He left Barca in 2021 for a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023.

Despite being on the back end of his career, Messi continues to be the best player on the field at any given moment. In five games he played for Miami in 2023, he has five goals and two assists. The Argentina national team captain is currently out with a muscular injury and is scheduled to return to action at some point in early April. 

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Argentina’s national team is scheduled to play a pair of international friendly matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States later this month. According to an announcement made by the Argentina Football Association, the team’s captain and Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi won’t be part of the roster for these two games as he’s dealing with a “minor hamstring injury”.

Messi experienced hamstring issues last week during the CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Nashville last week, being forced to leave the game early in the second half. He subsequently missed Inter’s 1-3 win over D.C. United over the weekend.

It is unclear how much time Messi could miss due to the hamstring injury. Speaking with the media after D.C. United game, Miami’s head coach Tata Martino said that his star player will be evaluated “week by week”.

Martino did share that Messi’s goal is to play in CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. Inter Miami is set to face Monterrey, with the first leg of the matchup being scheduled for April 3rd.

Despite not being able to play, Messi could still join Argentina’s national team at some point this week. According to ESPN, Messi’s plan is to rehabilitate with Argentina’s medical staff before continuing the recovery process in Miami. 

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are scheduled to face off in what could potentially be their final showdown after Inter Miami confirmed its participation at the Riyadh Season Cup. Inter Miami is set to face Al Hilal on January 29 before playing against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr on February 1.

“These matches will offer important tests for our team, which will benefit us as we approach the new season,” Miami sporting director Chris Henderson announced. “We’re excited for our group to get the chance to go up against teams with as much quality as Al-Hilal and Al Nassr.”

Messi and Ronaldo have played against one another on 36 occasions, with Messi’s team winning 16 matches and Ronaldo’s team winning 11. During these matches, Messi has scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists while Ronaldo has racked up 21 goals and one assist. Messi and Ronaldo previously faced off when the former traveled with his then-club PSG to participate in the Riyadh Season Cup earlier this year, defeating a team of SPL All-Stars 5-4.

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Inter Miami was defeated 5-2 by Atlanta United on Saturday, thereby marking the club’s first loss since the arrival of Lionel Messi in July. This also brings an end to the club’s 12-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino revealed that both Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba would be absent from the game due to muscular fatigue. Still, Atlanta coach Gonzalo Pineda confirmed that the inclusion or absence of such stars would not have an impact on his team’s approach to the game.

“I checked the Twitter account to know he was not coming,” Martino admitted, before explaining that he instructed his team to not pay too much attention to the latest goings-on regarding Messi. “Honestly, I told the players, there are a lot of things out there in the atmosphere and everything seems to be about Inter Miami. We have to turn that to about us.”

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Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino revealed on Friday that new team talisman Lionel Messi is likely to miss his team’s opening game of the new MLS season against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. This game would have been Messi’s MLS debut. This comes as Martino looks at how best to manage his team’s fatigue in what would be their seventh game in just 23 days.

“We will assess further after this evening’s training,” Martino revealed. “It is inevitable that we will not have him at some point.” Messi played in every minute of his team’s six previous matches. The Argentinian looked to be suffering from exhaustion during Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal win at FC Cincinnati, albeit still providing two assists across the 120-minute game.

Messi’s absence will provide a good indication of how strong Miami’s lineup is without their star man. Prior to the 36-year-old’s arrival, Inter Miami fell to the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference; 14 points adrift of the final playoff spot.

The post Lionel Messi Likely To Miss MLS Opener, Coach Reveals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Lionel Messi grabbed two goals and an assist in his first start for Inter Miami as they secured a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday night.

Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets were both in Miami’s starting lineup, with the two pairing up to open the scoring. Busquets provided a lofted pass over the Atlanta defense to Messi, and while the number 10 hit the post with his first shot, he was able to collect the rebound, putting it in the back of the net.

22 minutes into the game, Miami hit Atlanta on the counterattack, with Messi getting on the end of a Robert Taylor pass to double both his and Inter Miami’s tally.

Taylor then went on to score before the halftime break before scoring in the 78th with an assist from Messi to complete a brace of his own.

“It was a good performance and I’m pleased we were able to make our fans happy. A very good game and we took another step in the right direction,” Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino said after the game.

This victory sees Miami top their group and book their spot in the round of 32.

The post Messi Scores Twice as Inter Miami Trounces Atlanta United appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Argentinean star forward Lionel Messi couldn’t have wished for a better debut with his new club Inter Miami. Inter got a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in the League Cup opener on Friday night, with Messi scoring the winning goal.

Messi started the game on the bench, and the sold-out stadium had to wait until the 54th minute to see him on the pitch. The 36-year-old dazzled fans with some nifty moves but waited until the stoppage time to properly introduce himself.

The result was 1-1 with a few seconds left on the game clock. Cruz Azul gave up a foul right outside their penalty box, and Messi approached to take the free-kick. In his signature fashion, Messi launched the ball in the top left corner and placed it into the net just outside the reach of outstretched goalie Andres Gudino.

“I knew it was the last chance,” Messi said after the game. “I just tried like I always do, and fortunately, the goalkeeper couldn’t get the ball.”

Messi believes getting the win was important for the team due to their struggles in MLS.

“It is important for this team to get wins because we are not in a good position in the league. I know this is another tournament, but it will help our morale,” he added.

Inter Miami is currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only five wins out of 22 games played. But with Messi on their side, don’t be surprised if Inter starts climbing quickly to the top.

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David Beckham isn’t backing down in his attempts to lure a big soccer star from Europe to come play in his club Inter Miami. This time Beckham reportedly decided to try and recruit Barcelona’s star forward Lionel Messi.

According to Radio Catalunya, Beckham reached out to Messi in order to see whether the Argentinian would like to continue his career in MLS. The 32-year-old is under contract with Barca until 2021 but has a clause that allows him to leave as a free agent next summer.

Barcelona’s front office is reportedly aware of Inter Miami’s interest and doesn’t intend to leave anything to chance. The club is already preparing a new deal for their star and is thinking about offering Messi a lifetime contract. Another option would be to offer him a 10-year contract, to ensure stability for the club in years to come.

Lionel Messi’s current contract contains a $773M buyout clause, which is the amount that any team would have to pay for his services. However, if the player himself expresses the desire to leave the club before May, he can do that for free each summer.

It’s highly unlikely that Messi would leave Barca anytime soon, as he still plays on a high level. He might change his mind several years from now, but even then, his preference would be a symbolic return to his childhood club Newell Old Boy’s.

The post David Beckham is Reportedly Trying to Convince Barca Star Lionel Messi to Come to MLS appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami’s forward Lionel Messi continues to put MLS on notice with his exceptional performances. The latest one came during the 6-2 win over the New York Red Bulls this past weekend, during which Messi set a couple of league records.

Messi finished the game by scoring a goal and dishing five assists. By doing so, he set the new MLS record for most assists in a single game and most goal contributions (six) in a single game.

Three of Messi’s assists were converted to goals by his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez while newly-acquired midfielder Matías Rojas bagged two goals thanks to Messi.

“All [goals] were fundamental to the game, but Leo did something historic tonight with five assists and one goal,” said Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino after the game. 

Messi had a slow start to the 2024 campaign, missing four games due to a hamstring injury. But since returning to action in early April, the Argentina national team captain has been on a tear. He scored in five consecutive games and assisted in each of the last four matches.

Messi has 10 goals and nine assists in total eight matches of the new MLS season, while Inter Miami is currently sitting first in the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 12 games.

The post Lionel Messi Sets Record for Most Assists in a Single MLS Game appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami’s star forward Lionel Messi won’t make a decision on retirement based on his age. Instead, he will let his performance tell him when it’s time to bow out from professional soccer.

During a recent appearance on Big Time podcast, Messi said that he will continue playing as long as feels good and is able to perform at a high level.

“I know that as soon as I believe that I can no longer perform, or no longer enjoy the game, or not able to help my team-mates, then I will stop,” Messi, who turns 37 in June, said when asked about retirement. “I am really self-critical; I know when I am good and when I am bad. So for my retirement, it will not matter what age I am. If I feel good, I will keep playing.”

Messi made his professional debut with La Liga powerhouse Barcelona in 2004. He went on to establish himself as one of the best players in the history of the game, winning 34 trophies in his 17 years with the club. He left Barca in 2021 for a two-year stint with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023.

Despite being on the back end of his career, Messi continues to be the best player on the field at any given moment. In five games he played for Miami in 2023, he has five goals and two assists. The Argentina national team captain is currently out with a muscular injury and is scheduled to return to action at some point in early April. 

The post Lionel Messi on Retirement: “If I Feel Good, I Will Keep Playing” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Argentina’s national team is scheduled to play a pair of international friendly matches against El Salvador and Costa Rica in the United States later this month. According to an announcement made by the Argentina Football Association, the team’s captain and Inter Miami star forward Lionel Messi won’t be part of the roster for these two games as he’s dealing with a “minor hamstring injury”.

Messi experienced hamstring issues last week during the CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Nashville last week, being forced to leave the game early in the second half. He subsequently missed Inter’s 1-3 win over D.C. United over the weekend.

It is unclear how much time Messi could miss due to the hamstring injury. Speaking with the media after D.C. United game, Miami’s head coach Tata Martino said that his star player will be evaluated “week by week”.

Martino did share that Messi’s goal is to play in CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals. Inter Miami is set to face Monterrey, with the first leg of the matchup being scheduled for April 3rd.

Despite not being able to play, Messi could still join Argentina’s national team at some point this week. According to ESPN, Messi’s plan is to rehabilitate with Argentina’s medical staff before continuing the recovery process in Miami. 

The post Lionel Messi Set to Miss Argentina’s Upcoming Friendly Matches in the U.S. appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are scheduled to face off in what could potentially be their final showdown after Inter Miami confirmed its participation at the Riyadh Season Cup. Inter Miami is set to face Al Hilal on January 29 before playing against Ronaldo’s Al Nassr on February 1.

“These matches will offer important tests for our team, which will benefit us as we approach the new season,” Miami sporting director Chris Henderson announced. “We’re excited for our group to get the chance to go up against teams with as much quality as Al-Hilal and Al Nassr.”

Messi and Ronaldo have played against one another on 36 occasions, with Messi’s team winning 16 matches and Ronaldo’s team winning 11. During these matches, Messi has scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists while Ronaldo has racked up 21 goals and one assist. Messi and Ronaldo previously faced off when the former traveled with his then-club PSG to participate in the Riyadh Season Cup earlier this year, defeating a team of SPL All-Stars 5-4.

The post Ronaldo and Messi to Face Off in Riyadh Season Cup appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami was defeated 5-2 by Atlanta United on Saturday, thereby marking the club’s first loss since the arrival of Lionel Messi in July. This also brings an end to the club’s 12-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino revealed that both Lionel Messi and his former FC Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba would be absent from the game due to muscular fatigue. Still, Atlanta coach Gonzalo Pineda confirmed that the inclusion or absence of such stars would not have an impact on his team’s approach to the game.

“I checked the Twitter account to know he was not coming,” Martino admitted, before explaining that he instructed his team to not pay too much attention to the latest goings-on regarding Messi. “Honestly, I told the players, there are a lot of things out there in the atmosphere and everything seems to be about Inter Miami. We have to turn that to about us.”

The post Inter Miami Suffers First Loss Since Arrival of Messi appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino revealed on Friday that new team talisman Lionel Messi is likely to miss his team’s opening game of the new MLS season against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. This game would have been Messi’s MLS debut. This comes as Martino looks at how best to manage his team’s fatigue in what would be their seventh game in just 23 days.

“We will assess further after this evening’s training,” Martino revealed. “It is inevitable that we will not have him at some point.” Messi played in every minute of his team’s six previous matches. The Argentinian looked to be suffering from exhaustion during Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup semifinal win at FC Cincinnati, albeit still providing two assists across the 120-minute game.

Messi’s absence will provide a good indication of how strong Miami’s lineup is without their star man. Prior to the 36-year-old’s arrival, Inter Miami fell to the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference; 14 points adrift of the final playoff spot.

The post Lionel Messi Likely To Miss MLS Opener, Coach Reveals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Lionel Messi grabbed two goals and an assist in his first start for Inter Miami as they secured a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Tuesday night.

Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets were both in Miami’s starting lineup, with the two pairing up to open the scoring. Busquets provided a lofted pass over the Atlanta defense to Messi, and while the number 10 hit the post with his first shot, he was able to collect the rebound, putting it in the back of the net.

22 minutes into the game, Miami hit Atlanta on the counterattack, with Messi getting on the end of a Robert Taylor pass to double both his and Inter Miami’s tally.

Taylor then went on to score before the halftime break before scoring in the 78th with an assist from Messi to complete a brace of his own.

“It was a good performance and I’m pleased we were able to make our fans happy. A very good game and we took another step in the right direction,” Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino said after the game.

This victory sees Miami top their group and book their spot in the round of 32.

The post Messi Scores Twice as Inter Miami Trounces Atlanta United appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Argentinean star forward Lionel Messi couldn’t have wished for a better debut with his new club Inter Miami. Inter got a 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in the League Cup opener on Friday night, with Messi scoring the winning goal.

Messi started the game on the bench, and the sold-out stadium had to wait until the 54th minute to see him on the pitch. The 36-year-old dazzled fans with some nifty moves but waited until the stoppage time to properly introduce himself.

The result was 1-1 with a few seconds left on the game clock. Cruz Azul gave up a foul right outside their penalty box, and Messi approached to take the free-kick. In his signature fashion, Messi launched the ball in the top left corner and placed it into the net just outside the reach of outstretched goalie Andres Gudino.

“I knew it was the last chance,” Messi said after the game. “I just tried like I always do, and fortunately, the goalkeeper couldn’t get the ball.”

Messi believes getting the win was important for the team due to their struggles in MLS.

“It is important for this team to get wins because we are not in a good position in the league. I know this is another tournament, but it will help our morale,” he added.

Inter Miami is currently at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only five wins out of 22 games played. But with Messi on their side, don’t be surprised if Inter starts climbing quickly to the top.

The post Lionel Messi Debuts for Inter Miami, Scores Winning Goal Against Cruz Azul appeared first on SportzBonanza.

David Beckham isn’t backing down in his attempts to lure a big soccer star from Europe to come play in his club Inter Miami. This time Beckham reportedly decided to try and recruit Barcelona’s star forward Lionel Messi.

According to Radio Catalunya, Beckham reached out to Messi in order to see whether the Argentinian would like to continue his career in MLS. The 32-year-old is under contract with Barca until 2021 but has a clause that allows him to leave as a free agent next summer.

Barcelona’s front office is reportedly aware of Inter Miami’s interest and doesn’t intend to leave anything to chance. The club is already preparing a new deal for their star and is thinking about offering Messi a lifetime contract. Another option would be to offer him a 10-year contract, to ensure stability for the club in years to come.

Lionel Messi’s current contract contains a $773M buyout clause, which is the amount that any team would have to pay for his services. However, if the player himself expresses the desire to leave the club before May, he can do that for free each summer.

It’s highly unlikely that Messi would leave Barca anytime soon, as he still plays on a high level. He might change his mind several years from now, but even then, his preference would be a symbolic return to his childhood club Newell Old Boy’s.

The post David Beckham is Reportedly Trying to Convince Barca Star Lionel Messi to Come to MLS appeared first on SportzBonanza.