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☆ Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez both score twice as Inter Miami routs Orlando City
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez both scored twice as Inter Miami cruised past Orlando City 5-0 in the Florida derby on Saturday. This was the biggest margin of victory in Miami’s short history, underlining the team’s credentials as a strong contender to win this season’s MLS Cup. Suárez scores his second goal inside 11 minutes against Orlando City. “We are aware of the team that we have and we are working towards fighting for the MLS Cup,” Messi said after the match. Orlando, which drew its opening MLS game against Montréal, plays Mexican side Tigres in the Champions Cup on Tuesday.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Messi, Suárez, we’ve, I’ve, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Julian Gressel, Orlando, Robert Taylor, Megan Briggs, Jordi Alba’s, ” Messi Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Orlando City, Miami, Orlando, MLS, Chase, Major League Soccer –, Getty Images Miami, Real, LA Galaxy, Eastern Conference, Nashville, Concacaf, Montréal, Tigres Locations: Florida, Barcelona, Argentine, Real Salt, Mexican

☆ Lionel Messi’s last-gasp goal earns Inter Miami a draw against LA Galaxy in front of star-studded crowd
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The stars were out in force to watch Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami against LA Galaxy in Sunday’s 1-1 draw – and the Argentine, unsurprisingly, didn’t disappoint. LA Galaxy, once a home for some of Major League Soccer’s superstar signings following David Beckham’s arrival in 2007, took the lead in the 75th minute through Serbian striker Dejan Joveljić. Despite its new star-studded lineup, which now also features Luis Saurez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami was thoroughly outplayed for much of the match and looked to be heading for defeat until Messi’s intervention in the 92nd minute. Former Galaxy star Beckham, who has a statue outside of the the club’s stadium and is now a part-owner of Inter Miami, didn’t celebrate the equalizing goal against his former team. Actors Edward Norton and Liv Tyler watched alongside David Beckham and son Brooklyn Beckham.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Novak Djokovic, Halle Berry, Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Anderson Paak, Tobin Heath, Diana Taurasi, David Beckham’s, Dejan Joveljić, Luis Saurez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Kevork Djansezian, Messi, Alba, John McCarthy, Marco Delgado, Busquets, Beckham, “, Riqui Puig, Gerardo Martino, ” Martino, Joseph Paintsil, David Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham, Leo, ”, Cristiano Ronaldo Organizations: CNN, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, LA Galaxy, Argentine, Christen Press, Major League, Serbian, Inter Miami, Barcelona, Galaxy, Miami, didn’t, North, Messi Locations: Miami, Argentina, North America

☆ Lionel Messi: World Cup winner’s dazzling skill lights up Inter Miami’s MLS season opener against Real Salt Lake
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Lionel Messi produced a memorable piece of skill during Inter Miami’s 2-0 victory against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, the opening game of the MLS season. In possession on the edge of the Real Salt Lake box, Messi looked to get a shot away while injured opponent Andrew Brody lay on the ground in front of him. And he showed some speed too,” Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said of the 2022 World Cup winner’s performance, according to ESPN. The star-studded side started to deliver on those expectations in Wednesday’s curtain-raiser to the new season, with Messi at the heart of Miami’s best moments. Messi’s first full season in the US has seen a huge ticket demand for Miami’s games, and Wednesday was no exception.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Andrew Brody, Ballon, “, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ” Messi, Miami’s, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Robert Taylor, Zac MacMath, Suárez, Diego Gómez, MacMath, Diego Gómez's, Megan Briggs, Justen, Julian Gressel, Messi’s, Gómez, Busquets ’, Drake Callender Organizations: CNN, Inter, Real, Real Salt Lake, MLS, Miami, ESPN, “, Chase, Barcelona, Messi, Salt Lake, Inter Miami, Martino’s Inter Miami, Leagues, Salt Lake’s, LA Locations: Real Salt, Salt, Miami, Real Salt Lake, Carson , California

☆ MLS season preview: Messi and Inter Miami target domination of US soccer in ‘year two’
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

How to watch the MLS season openerThe MLS season opener between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast in the US and UK on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, following the 10-year streaming deal signed in 2022 between MLS and the technology company. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesDays before the MLS season began, league commissioner Don Garber said he believed Miami could still add more superstar firepower to its squad. The Columbus Crew will likely pose a threat once again to win the MLS Cup. Writing for ESPN, Luis Miguel Echegaray said he doesn’t see Inter Miami winning the Eastern Conference.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, it’s, Messi, Luis Suárez, Gerardo ‘ Tata ’ Martino, Suárez’s, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu, Don Garber, “, ” Garber, Leo, Garber, Maddie Meyer, Wilfried Nancy, ’, Luciano Acosta, “ We’re, Luis Miguel Echegaray, Tata Martino, ”, ” GOAL.com’s Ryan Tolmich Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Barcelona, MLS Eastern Conference, Leagues, MLS, Miami, Apple, Uruguayan, Gremio, Messi, CONCACAF Champions League, ESPN, Argentine, Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati, Miami Herald, ”, Eastern Conference Locations: Miami, Real Salt, Brazil, Barcelona, French, Ohio, Argentine

After a 0-0 draw in regulation, the match went to penalty kicks and Vissel won the shootout 4-3. But it wasn't close to the level of booing that broke out in Hong Kong after Messi stayed on the bench for the entire game with a groin injury. The match in Tokyo wrapped up Inter Miami's global promotional tour — stretching from El Salvador to Dallas into Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong and ending in Tokyo. Inter Miami is loaded with former Barcelona players including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Andres Iniesta, another former Barcelona star, played several seasons in Japan with Vissel Kobe and spoke briefly to the crowd before the match.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Vissel, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, ___ Organizations: TOKYO, Wednesday, Inter, Tokyo’s, Miami, Newell's Old, Inter Miami, Barcelona, Vissel Locations: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Asia, Kobe, Argentina, El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Florida, Rosario, Barcelona, Japan, Vissel Kobe

☆ Lionel Messi no-show ignites booing and calls for refunds at Inter Miami match in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Hong Kong CNN —Thousands of soccer fans in Hong Kong were left disappointed when Argentine superstar Lionel Messi failed to take to the field in a friendly match for Inter Miami on Sunday. What started with overwhelming cheers and rapture ended in boos and calls for refunds in the sold-out, 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium. Inter Miami — out to prove a point having gone winless during a worldwide pre-season tour — comfortably defeated a Hong Kong XI 4-1 in an event branded as Tatler XFEST Hong Kong. According to Reuters, tickets went on sale in December and cost between 880 and 4,880 Hong Kong dollars (about $113 and $624). “This whole Messi in Hong Kong thing has been building up for quite some time.

Persons: Lionel Messi, —, Messi, Ballon, Hong, “ Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Louise Delmotte, David Beckham, Messi ”, ”, XFEST, Suárez, “, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Leo, Luis, ” Martino, apologetically, Hong Kong, “ Leo, Suarez, ” Suárez, Martino, Yapp Hung, Yapp, Messi superfan Christer Leung, ” Leung, Lionel, Lam Yik, Reuters “ Messi Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Argentine, Inter Miami, Hong Kong Stadium, Inter Miami —, Hong, Reuters, CNN, Miami, Al, MLS, Major League Soccer, Hong Kong XI, fai, Messi, Argentina, ’, Inter, USA, Sports, Ardent, Argentina national, Australia, Nigeria, Vissel Kobe Locations: Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, America, China, Beijing, Argentina, Ivory Coast, Hangzhou, Japan

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Inter Miami played six preseason matches last season. It's basically an around-the-world, big-crowd, big-money, bright-spotlight batch of preseason games for Inter Miami, which instantly became a global brand when Messi announced last summer that he was joining the Major League Soccer club. Political Cartoons View All 253 Images“It’s incredible,” said DeAndre Yedlin, the Inter Miami defender who was captain until Messi arrived. But Inter Miami not only understands the value of having Messi, it welcomed this massive preseason stretch in advance of an MLS season that starts Feb. 21. “You have to see how many times these people are going to have this possibility.”The financial benefit of Inter Miami and Messi playing in Saudi Arabia hasn't been revealed.

Persons: Lionel Messi's, Al Nassr, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, ”, DeAndre Yedlin, it’s, Leo, he’s, what's, Ballon, Messi —, Germain, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Saudi Arabia hasn't, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, LIV Golf, hasn't, ” Messi, Drake Callender, “ Organizations: — Inter Miami, Inter Miami, Al, Dallas, Cotton, Major League Soccer, ” Inter Miami, Argentina, MLS, Inter Miami —, Paris Saint, “, Messi, Saudi, Florida International University, it's, Ronaldo Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Florida, Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Portugal, El Salvador, Hong Kong, Japan, Saudi, Spanish, Riyadh, “

Even, as it turns out, his Inter Miami teammates. He was the captain for Inter Miami to start this season. He’s making somewhere between $50 million and $60 million per season with Inter Miami, and the revenue streams are making that possible. “And then I will come back again, preseason, start from scratch and prepare for the best possible outcomes as always.”Everything is different for Inter Miami now. It was a ride like none other for Inter Miami this season, and the club knows 2024 will be another whirlwind.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, ” Yedlin, He’s, —, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, “, Ballon d’Or, ”, Guardiola, Germain, Jordi Alba, They’re, “ I’ll, ” Messi, — Messi, Alba, Sergio Busquets —, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ” Martino, — Luis Suarez, “ I’ve, I’ve, Drake Callender Organizations: Inter Miami, Premier League, U.S, Major League Soccer, Manchester City, Messi, Barcelona, Paris Saint, MLS, Leagues, Inter, Apple, CONCACAF, ”, Argentina, ” Inter Miami Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Florida, Paris, Miami, China, Argentina, Uruguayan, North America

Inter Miami was eliminated from playoff contention earlier this month. He and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham have enormous followings in Asia, along with several endorsement deals in the region. This is the first international tour for Inter Miami, which is about to end its fourth MLS season. The team won the Leagues Cup this season, doing so shortly after Messi began playing for Inter Miami in July. That suggests this trip could be another major financial win for Inter Miami.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Chris Henderson, Messi —, —, David Beckham, “, Xavier Asensi, hasn't, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Chinese Super League, Qingdao Hainiu, Chengdu Rongcheng, MLS, Inter, ” Inter Miami, men's, Rose, Argentina, Australia, Olympic, Beijing Games, Leagues, Beijing, Charlotte, Wednesday, Argentina's, World Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, China, Qingdao, Chengdu, Argentina, California, Beijing, Asia

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami's lineup on Wednesday night. Messi was subbed off in the 37th minute of Inter Miami's match against Toronto, after spending a few minutes laboring with what appeared to be a leg issue. But Messi's status overshadowed everything, and Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said after the game that the Argentine star will miss Sunday's game at Orlando. It was the second big injury blow for Inter Miami on Wednesday. Despite its place in the standings, Inter Miami now controls its postseason destiny.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, he's, Messi, subbed, Robert Taylor, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, “, ” Martino, Martino, Ballon, Jordi Alba —, —, ” Taylor, Facundo Farias, Benjamin Cremaschi, Drake Callender, Messi didn’t, Yedlin —, That’s, ”, Win, Cruz Azul, ___ Organizations: Inter, Toronto, Miami, Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, Messi, Inter Miami, Orlando, Bolivia, Atlanta United, Inter Miami's, U.S, Houston, MLS, New York City FC, Messi isn't, D.C, United, Atlanta, Leagues, Nashville, Miami club’s, Leagues Cup Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Argentine, Toronto, —, Chicago, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Miami

☆ Lionel Messi: Inter Miami star exits match against Toronto FC with apparent injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Lionel Messi’s return to the pitch was short-lived after the Argentine superstar was subbed off in the 37th minute of Inter Miami’s match against Toronto FC on Wednesday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Just a few minutes after teammate Jordi Alba was subbed off with an apparent injury, Messi appeared to be experiencing discomfort. He then took off his captain’s armband and placed it on Deandre Yedlin before exiting the match himself. Inter Miami would go on to defeat Toronto FC 4-0. Wednesday’s match marked the first time Messi has played since September 7, when he helped lead Argentina to a victory over Ecuador in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Jordi Alba, Messi, “, Tata Martino, Alba Organizations: CNN, Argentine, Inter, Toronto FC, Wednesday, ” Inter Miami, Apple, Inter Miami, MLS, Atlanta United, Mercedes, Benz, Inter Miami’s, Orlando City SC, Houston Dynamo FC Locations: Fort Lauderdale , Florida, Argentina, Ecuador

☆ Prince Harry among star-studded crowd watching Lionel Messi and Inter Miami defeat LAFC
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —No athlete attracts an A-list crowd quite like Lionel Messi, as demonstrated by Sunday’s Major League Soccer game between Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC. Ticket demand for Miami games has soared since the Argentinian’s arrival, with the average prices around $690 for Sunday’s match – the most expensive MLS game ever, according to online marketplace TickPick. Since moving from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi is having a huge impact on the pitch, as well as off it. Messi spoke with actor Owen Wilson after the game between LAFC and Inter Miami. It next faces Sporting Kansas City on September 9, while LAFC, currently third in the West Conference standings, plays the Portland Timbers.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Prince Harry, Leonardo DiCaprio, Owen Wilson, Edward Norton, Will Ferrell –, LAFC, Selena Gomez, Tyga, Germain, Messi, Harry, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Facundo Farías, Alba, John McCarthy, Aaron Long, Leonardo Campana, Ryan Hollingshead, Bouanga, Gary A, Vasquez, McCarthy, Gomez, “, ” Messi, “ Zoolander, ” Selena Gomez, Mark J, Terrill, We’ve Organizations: CNN, Sunday’s Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC, Miami, MLS, Paris Saint, LAFC, Sunday, Reuters, BMO, ”, Eastern Conference, Sporting Kansas City, West Conference, Portland Timbers Locations: California, Paris, Miami, Barcelona

☆ Andrés Iniesta: Soccer legend on Lionel Messi and his own new adventure in the UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Ben Church | Becky Anderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In his prime, Andrés Iniesta was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history. After leaving Spain, Iniesta signed for Japanese club Vissel Kobe and enjoyed reasonable success in following five years. Mohamed Farag/Getty ImagesAmid interest from around the world, including Major League Soccer (MLS), Iniesta eventually signed a one-year deal with UAE side Emirates Club. There were reports earlier this year that Iniesta may team up with Lionel Messi in the MLS, although it didn't materialize. “Football is a global sport, it’s a world sport where everybody would like to have different football players,” he said.

Persons: CNN —, Iniesta, – La Roja, Mohamed Farag, ” Iniesta, CNN’s Becky Anderson, “, I’m, he’s, Lionel Messi, Mike Hewitt, – Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Germain, Messi, ”, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema Organizations: CNN, Spain, Vissel Kobe, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, UAE, Emirates, Ajman Club, “, Emirates Club, Inter Miami, MLS, Messi, Argentine, Paris Saint, Europe’s Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Japan, UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, North America, Barça, Catalonia, Catalan, ., Saudi Arabian, Europe

☆ Lionel Messi and Inter Miami capture first trophy in club history with nail-biting victory over Nashville FC in Leagues Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi scored a signature goal Saturday to lead Inter Miami past Nashville FC in a penalty kick shootout to capture the Leagues Cup title and score the club’s first trophy. Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba all scored their penalties for Inter Miami as the shootout progressed into sudden death. Although Inter Miami sits last in MLS standings, the club has had quite the turnaround since the 2022 World Cup winner Messi joined the squad in June. On their journey to the club’s first title, Inter Miami won four of its seven matches in the tournament by multiple goals. With the victory, Inter Miami qualifies directly to the 2024 Concacaf Champions League Round of 16.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Fafa Picault, Inter Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi, Drake Callender, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Callender, Elliot Panicco’s, Ballon d’Or, – Messi Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Nashville FC, Leagues, MLS, Inter Miami’s, Nashville, ESPN, Liga, Concacaf Locations: Geodis, Tennessee

☆ Lionel Messi scores again as Inter Miami advances to Leagues Cup Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —In just one month with Inter Miami, Argentine superstar Lionel Messi already has his team reaching new heights. Messi’s goal against Philadelphia was his ninth in just six games since joining Inter, scoring in each of his six matches so far to sit atop the Leagues Cup scoring chart. After Josef Martinez opened the scoring for Miami, Messi scored in the 20th minute with a low rocket from more than 30 yards out. In the other Leagues Cup semifinal Tuesday, Nashville SC defeated Monterrey 2-0 to set up a final against Miami. The Leagues Cup, an annual tournament between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, was expanded this year to include all teams in each league.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Josef Martinez, Andre Blake, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Bedoya, David Ruiz Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union, Miami, CONCACAF Leagues, Philadelphia, Inter, Leagues, Nashville SC, Monterrey, MLS, Liga Locations: Argentine, Spanish, Philadelphia, Nashville , Tennessee

☆ Messi magic continues as Inter Miami reach Leagues Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Aug 15, 2023; Chester, PA, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) misses a shot against the Philadelphia Union the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 15 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi notched his ninth goal in six matches as Inter Miami crushed Philadelphia Union 4-1 to reach the Leagues Cup final on Tuesday. Philadelphia, who made the MLS Cup final last year and have a dominant record at home, were poised to be Miami's biggest test since the latter added the Argentinean striker to their roster last month. Miami will face either CF Monterrey or Nashville SC, who play later on Tuesday, in Saturday's Leagues Cup final, Miami's first final appearance in club history. The win also mean Miami will play in their first ever CONCACAF Champions League next year.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Bill Streicher, Josef Martinez, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Messi, Martinez, Andre Blake, Jordi Alba, Alejandro Bedoya, David Ruiz, Miami's, Rory Carroll, Muralikumar Organizations: Inter Miami CF, Philadelphia Union, Subaru Park, Inter Miami, Philadelphia, Leagues, MLS, Miami, Union, CF Monterrey, Nashville SC, Saturday's Leagues, CONCACAF Champions League, Thomson Locations: Chester , PA, USA, Philadelphia, Miami, Los Angeles

☆ Lionel Messi scores twice, including late freekick, as Inter Miami advances to MLS Leagues Cup quarterfinals on penalties
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Lionel Messi continued his impressive start to life in the US, scoring twice as Inter Miami advanced to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup after a penalty shootout on Sunday. The 2022 World Cup winner’s moment of magic forced a penalty shootout with a spot in the final eight on the line. And Messi once again stepped up, calmly slotting home his penalty, while 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi converted his spot-kick to seal a 5-3 victory for Inter Miami. “It is true that we count on the best player in the world,” said Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino “and you can’t ignore that.”Messi one of Inter Miami's penalties against FC Dallas. The Leagues Cup is joint competition organized by the top-tier soccer competitions in the US and Mexico which features every club in the top two leagues in North America.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Jordi Alba, Benjamin Cremaschi, ”, Gerardo Martino “, ” Messi, LM Otero Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Leagues, Sunday, Argentine, FC Dallas, Miami, Inter, AP Inter Miami, Houston Dynamo, Charlotte FC, Concacaf Champions League Locations: Barcelona, Florida, Mexico, North America

☆ Former Barcelona defender Alba to sign for Inter Miami, says club president
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 18 (Reuters) - Former Barcelona defender Jordi Alba will join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club's president Jorge Mas said on Tuesday. Alba, who has won more than 90 caps for Spain, will be part of a strong ex-Barcelona contingent at Inter Miami, with Messi and Sergio Busquets having already joined the club. Miami are also looking to sign another former Barca player, Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who plays for Gremio in Brazil. Mas said that talks had taken place but "he is a Gremio player and I respect that". The MLS team's president also confirmed the arrival of Paraguayan midfielder Diego Gomez from Libertad, and said they had made formal contact with Argentine side Racing Club to enquire about Tomas Aviles.

Persons: Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Alba, Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerardo Martino, Mas, Luis Suarez, Diego Gomez, Tomas Aviles, Angelica Medina, Toby Davis Organizations: Barcelona, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Tata, TyC Sports, Barca, Uruguayan, Gremio, MLS, Libertad, Argentine, Racing Club, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Miami, Brazil, Paraguayan, Mexico

☆ Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami contract worth between $50 to $60 million per year, according to club’s part-owner
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi is to earn between $50 and $60 million per year when he joins Inter Miami, the club’s part-owner Jorge Mas told Spanish publication El Pais in an interview. The lower of those figures would make Messi the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS) by over $40 million, according to sports salary tracker Spotrac. According to that site, Xherdan Shaqiri currently earns the most in the league with an annual wage of $8,153,000. Mas named Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez as players the team had talked to, as well as Messi’s compatriot Angel Di Maria, most recently of Juventus. Messi is reportedly due to make his debut for the club on July 21 against Mexican side Cruz Azul.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Jorge Mas, Messi, Xherdan Shaqiri, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mas, El, Jorge, David Beckham, Messi “, Sergio Busquets, ”, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, Angel Di Maria Organizations: CNN, Argentine, Inter Miami, El Pais, Major League Soccer, Forbes, MLS, Apple TV, Adidas, Apple, El, Messi, Barcelona, Juventus, Cruz Azul Locations: Spanish, Saudi Arabian, El Pais, Messi’s, Mas, Barcelona, Cruz

☆ Inter Miami to sign Barca midfielder Busquets as free agent
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 23 (Reuters) - Barcelona's former Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is joining Inter Miami as a free agent, the Major League Soccer club announced on Friday. Miami made the news official by posting a video on social media showing quotes from the likes of Pep Guardiola, Xavi Hernandez, Luka Modric and Messi praising Busquets. loadingThe former Barcelona captain, who retired from international duty last year, played over 700 games for the Spanish champions, winning nine LaLiga crowns, seven Copa del Rey titles, three Champions League trophies and three Club World Cups. Busquets was also linked with moves to the Saudi Arabian league as Al Hilal and Al Nassar made bids for his services. Miami are reportedly looking to sign a third former Barca player as they are keen on left-back Jordi Alba, who is also leaving the Spanish club after the end of the season.

Persons: Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola, Xavi Hernandez, Luka Modric, Messi, Busquets, Al Nassar, Jordi Alba, Janina Nuno Rios, Ken Ferris Organizations: Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Barca, Copa del Rey, League, Saudi, Al, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Spain, Nou, Miami, Barcelona, Al Hilal, Mexico City

☆ Xavi relies on flawless defence mechanism to lead Barcelona back to glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The change in mentality may not have sat entirely comfortably with Xavi who said Barca's style was "non-negotiable" when he was appointed coach in November, 2021. A former Barca player himself, Xavi was a symbol of their attacking style as a flamboyant midfielder who won every major title with the club and with Spain. They have conceded 13 goals in the league, by far the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. The trio hold the key to stifling their rival's attacking threats, particularly Araujo who has arguably been Europe's top defender this season. Barcelona were last champions of Spain in 2018-19 when they still had club greats Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading their attack up-front.

☆ Substitute Pedri earns Barcelona 1-0 win at Girona
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GIRONA, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Pedri celebrated his 100th match for Barcelona as he came off the bench and scored from close range in the second-half to give the LaLiga leaders a hard-fought 1-0 win at Girona on Saturday. With forwards Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres suspended and midfielder Pedri recovering from muscle discomfort, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez opted to rotate his side on a chilly afternoon at Montilivi. Despite having almost 70% of possession in the first half, Barcelona struggled to break the deadlock against Girona’s low block. Barcelona finished the match with only three shots on target, having made the most of their only clear opportunity. "I believe that in these games you have to win it in any way possible," Barcelona defender Jules Kounde told DAZN.

☆ Spain make one change in defence, Germany replace Havertz
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Steve Keating | Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AL KHOR, Qatar, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Spain coach Luis Enrique made one change to his starting lineup against Germany in their World Cup Group E on Sunday following their opening 7-0 demolition of Costa Rica, with Dan Carvajal replacing Cesar Azpilicueta in defence. The Spaniards, who will all but qualify with a win over the Germans, were otherwise unchanged in attack with Dani Olmo, Feran Torres and Marco Asensio. Germany, who suffered a shock opening loss to Japan and are in desperate need of points, brought on fullback Thilo Kehrer in the place of Nico Schlotterbeck. Coach Hansi Flick also dropped forward Kai Havertz, boosting his midfield with Leon Goretzka. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Germany salvages draw against Spain but World Cup hopes still hang in the balance
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Niclas Füllkrug’s late strike was enough to salvage a point for Germany against Spain as qualification from Group E goes down to the wire. Germany needs to beat Costa Rica and hope Spain defeats Japan or, if Japan earns a draw, ensure it has a superior goal difference. Álvaro Morata celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Germany. But just when it looked as though Germany was growing into the match, Spain found the breakthrough thanks to substitute Morata, who ran onto Jordi Alba’s low cross and poked the ball past Neuer. Germany will know only a victory against Costa Rica will do – but even that might not be enough.

A defeat against Spain after Germany's shock 2-1 opening loss to Japan would have left Hansi Flick's men facing a huge challenge to get into the knockout phase. Spain coach Luis Enrique said he was left ruing his side's failure to hold on to their lead. Spain top the standings with four points and now need only a draw in their final Group E game against Japan to progress. They need to win against Costa Rica on Thursday and their hopes then depend on Japan losing. If Japan draw it would come down to goal difference or goals scored by Germany and Japan.

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