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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Since joining Inter Miami last season, Argentine star attacker Lionel Messi has helped the MLS side to recruit a number of his former teammates, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez. As it turns out, there is one more player interested in a reunion with Messi.

Brazilian star forward Neymar recently had a chat with ESPN Argentina and was asked about the prospects of playing with Messi once again.

“Hopefully we can play together again. Leo is a great person, everyone knows him in football and I think he is very happy and if he is happy, I am too,” said Neymar.

Neymar and Messi first teamed up with Barcelona, playing together with the La Liga giants between 2013 and 2017. The two won eight trophies together, including two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy. They reunited again in 2021 when Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain and won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles. 

Neymar left PSG in the summer to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in a €90 million transfer. However, he managed to play only five games for his new club, scoring one goal and adding three assists, before suffering a devastating knee injury while on international duty with Brazil. He is expected to return to action in late 2024.

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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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Lionel Messi picked up a groin injury in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday evening in what was his final match of the 2023 calendar year. The Argentina captain was substituted in the 78th minute of play as a result.

“I felt discomfort in my adductor,” Messi explained. “It was my last game of the year, so I have time to get well to start 2024 giving everything.” According to the forward, the delay at the start of the match due to clashes between fans and police had a detrimental effect on his groin as it gave his body time to cool down in the locker room.

Messi has struggled with injuries throughout the past season, missing five MLS matches due to a hamstring injury. Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru last Thursday was his first full match since returning from injury on October 7. With their victory over Brazil, Argentina remains on top of the COMNEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier standings.

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Inter Miami icon Lionel Messi expressed his pride in the team despite narrowly missing out on a spot in the MLS playoffs. A 1-0 loss against Charlotte FC on Saturday sealed Miami’s fate.

“I am proud of everything the team accomplished this season,” Messi stated in an Instagram post. “With everyone’s work and effort, we were able to win the Leagues Cup, achieving the first title in the history of Inter Miami CF, we reached the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and we were even fighting to get into the MLS playoffs practically until the last moment.”

Messi played 14 matches for Inter Miami this season, scoring 11 goals and leading them to the Leagues Cup. Unfortunately, injury limited his playing time this season, with the Charlotte game being his first full match since returning to the pitch. Following the conclusion of this season, Miami is set to play two matches in China in their first-ever overseas tour.

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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi returned to full practice with his squad on Thursday and Friday; a positive sign after the player missed the last four games due to a leg injury. The Argentinian is hoping to make his return to the field in Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati in the MLS on Saturday.

“You have to evaluate him … He trained [Thursday] and will train [Friday]. But every day it gets better.” Miami assistant coach Javier Morales said of Messi’s progress before Friday’s practice. The club also released an optimistic post on X hinting at Messi’s return to the team.

Nos vemos mañana pic.twitter.com/LTI4IW7opY

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 6, 2023

Should he be fit to feature, Saturday’s game would be Messi’s last home appearance of the season for Inter Miami should they fail to make the MLS playoffs. With just three games remaining, Miami needs to close a gap of five points in order to qualify ahead of CF Montréal.

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Inter Miami fell to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Wednesday night; a match that Lionel Messi had no involvement in. With just three games of the regular season to go, Miami’s chances of clinching a playoff spot are rapidly fading.

“Barcelona missed him, and the Argentine team missed him,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino said about the absent Messi. “Of course, we’re going to miss the best player in the world.”

Messi’s impact on his MLS team is undeniable, with Miami managing an impressive record of 8-0-4 in matches that Messi has played for the team. Without the Argentine World Cup winner, Miami has gone 1-3-2 in six games since he arrived at the club from PSG.

Since September’s international break, Messi has struggled with a recurring leg injury. While he started his team’s 4-0 victory over Toronto FC, his injury fired up again, forcing him off the pitch in the first half.

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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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Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as the frontrunners for FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award. The list of 12 nominees also includes Declan Rice, who helped West Ham United to the UEFA Europa Conference League title, and Man City’s Julián Álvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva.

Should Messi emerge victorious, he would win the title for a record third time, adding to his victories in 2019 and 2022. Most notably, the Inter Miami star led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year. Still, he faces stiff competition from the likes of Haaland, who scored 52 goals this year and helped Man City to the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble.

Voting for the award opened on Thursday and will close in mid-October. The list of voters includes national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.

The post Messi, Haaland, Mbappe Lead FIFA’s Best Men’s Player List 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.

Since joining Inter Miami last season, Argentine star attacker Lionel Messi has helped the MLS side to recruit a number of his former teammates, including Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez. As it turns out, there is one more player interested in a reunion with Messi.

Brazilian star forward Neymar recently had a chat with ESPN Argentina and was asked about the prospects of playing with Messi once again.

“Hopefully we can play together again. Leo is a great person, everyone knows him in football and I think he is very happy and if he is happy, I am too,” said Neymar.

Neymar and Messi first teamed up with Barcelona, playing together with the La Liga giants between 2013 and 2017. The two won eight trophies together, including two La Liga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy. They reunited again in 2021 when Messi signed with Paris Saint-Germain and won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles. 

Neymar left PSG in the summer to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in a €90 million transfer. However, he managed to play only five games for his new club, scoring one goal and adding three assists, before suffering a devastating knee injury while on international duty with Brazil. He is expected to return to action in late 2024.

The post Neymar Says He Hopes to Play With Lionel Messi Again 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.

Lionel Messi picked up a groin injury in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Brazil on Tuesday evening in what was his final match of the 2023 calendar year. The Argentina captain was substituted in the 78th minute of play as a result.

“I felt discomfort in my adductor,” Messi explained. “It was my last game of the year, so I have time to get well to start 2024 giving everything.” According to the forward, the delay at the start of the match due to clashes between fans and police had a detrimental effect on his groin as it gave his body time to cool down in the locker room.

Messi has struggled with injuries throughout the past season, missing five MLS matches due to a hamstring injury. Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Peru last Thursday was his first full match since returning from injury on October 7. With their victory over Brazil, Argentina remains on top of the COMNEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifier standings.

The post Messi Suffers Groin Injury in World Cup Qualifier appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami icon Lionel Messi expressed his pride in the team despite narrowly missing out on a spot in the MLS playoffs. A 1-0 loss against Charlotte FC on Saturday sealed Miami’s fate.

“I am proud of everything the team accomplished this season,” Messi stated in an Instagram post. “With everyone’s work and effort, we were able to win the Leagues Cup, achieving the first title in the history of Inter Miami CF, we reached the final of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and we were even fighting to get into the MLS playoffs practically until the last moment.”

Messi played 14 matches for Inter Miami this season, scoring 11 goals and leading them to the Leagues Cup. Unfortunately, injury limited his playing time this season, with the Charlotte game being his first full match since returning to the pitch. Following the conclusion of this season, Miami is set to play two matches in China in their first-ever overseas tour.

The post Messi “Proud” of Inter Miami Despite Premature Ending to Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi returned to full practice with his squad on Thursday and Friday; a positive sign after the player missed the last four games due to a leg injury. The Argentinian is hoping to make his return to the field in Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati in the MLS on Saturday.

“You have to evaluate him … He trained [Thursday] and will train [Friday]. But every day it gets better.” Miami assistant coach Javier Morales said of Messi’s progress before Friday’s practice. The club also released an optimistic post on X hinting at Messi’s return to the team.

Nos vemos mañana pic.twitter.com/LTI4IW7opY

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) October 6, 2023

Should he be fit to feature, Saturday’s game would be Messi’s last home appearance of the season for Inter Miami should they fail to make the MLS playoffs. With just three games remaining, Miami needs to close a gap of five points in order to qualify ahead of CF Montréal.

The post Lionel Messi Joins Full Practice in Hope of Inter Miami Return appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Inter Miami fell to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Wednesday night; a match that Lionel Messi had no involvement in. With just three games of the regular season to go, Miami’s chances of clinching a playoff spot are rapidly fading.

“Barcelona missed him, and the Argentine team missed him,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino said about the absent Messi. “Of course, we’re going to miss the best player in the world.”

Messi’s impact on his MLS team is undeniable, with Miami managing an impressive record of 8-0-4 in matches that Messi has played for the team. Without the Argentine World Cup winner, Miami has gone 1-3-2 in six games since he arrived at the club from PSG.

Since September’s international break, Messi has struggled with a recurring leg injury. While he started his team’s 4-0 victory over Toronto FC, his injury fired up again, forcing him off the pitch in the first half.

The post Messi Misses Miami Defeat to Chicago as Playoff Hopes Fade 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.

Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe have emerged as the frontrunners for FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award. The list of 12 nominees also includes Declan Rice, who helped West Ham United to the UEFA Europa Conference League title, and Man City’s Julián Álvarez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gündogan, Rodri, and Bernardo Silva.

Should Messi emerge victorious, he would win the title for a record third time, adding to his victories in 2019 and 2022. Most notably, the Inter Miami star led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last year. Still, he faces stiff competition from the likes of Haaland, who scored 52 goals this year and helped Man City to the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup treble.

Voting for the award opened on Thursday and will close in mid-October. The list of voters includes national team coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.

The post Messi, Haaland, Mbappe Lead FIFA’s Best Men’s Player List appeared first on SportzBonanza.