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☆ Lionel Messi breaks more Major League Soccer records in astonishing performance
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Luis Suárez scored a hat trick for Inter Miami on Saturday, but it is not that impressive feat which is the focus of attention. Instead, it is once again Lionel Messi dominating headlines courtesy of a performance which almost defied belief. In a 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls, Messi broke two MLS records. Last week, in Miami’s victory over New England Revolution, Messi had set two other MLS records. Messi and Suárez formed a formidable partnership while at Barcelona and the pair have seamlessly transferred that understanding onto the pitch when playing for Miami.

Persons: CNN — Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi, Messi, ”, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Suárez, Dante Vanzeir, Matías Rojas, Rojas, Emil Forsberg Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, New York Red Bulls, MLS, Argentine, Chase, New England Revolution, Miami, Messi, Eastern Conference, CF Montreal Locations: Barcelona, New York

☆ Lionel Messi scores twice and breaks two Major League Soccer records in emphatic Inter Miami win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi’s start to the new Major League Soccer season has been impressive, even by the Argentine great’s lofty standards. Inter Miami sits atop the MLS Eastern Conference after a brilliant start which has included six victories in 11 games. In front of 65,612 fans – a new attendance record for a Revolution home game – Messi set two MLS records. “People come to every stadium to see Leo, that’s true, but they also want their team to win,” Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said in Spanish postgame, per the MLS. He has also contributed significantly to the transformation of Miami’s fortunes, helping the team win its first trophy last August, as well as taking it to the top of the Eastern Conference standings this campaign.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Messi, –, – Messi, Maddie Meyer, Tomás, Benjamin Cremaschi, Luis Suárez, Leo, that’s, Gerardo Martino, “ We’re, ” Messi, Ballon d’Or Organizations: CNN, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, New England, Gillette, MLS Eastern Conference, MLS, Messi, New, “, Miami, Argentina, Chase Field, Nashville SC, Eastern Conference Locations: Argentine, Miami, Spanish

☆ FIFA Said to Be Close to TV Deal With Apple for New Tournament
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Tariq Panja | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, is close to an agreement with Apple that would give the tech company worldwide television rights for a major new tournament, a monthlong, World Cup-style competition for top teams that will be played for the first time in the United States next summer. The value of the deal might be as little as a quarter of the $4 billion FIFA had first estimated, the people said. It is unclear if the deal with Apple will include any free-to-air rights, meaning the entire event could be available only to subscribers of Apple TV+, a factor over which senior executives at FIFA have raised concerns. Should the deal go through, it would be the first time that FIFA, which will stage the first expanded 48-team men’s World Cup in the United States in 2026, has agreed to a single worldwide contract. It would also represent the latest foray into soccer for Apple, which in 2022 signed a 10-year, $2.5 billion agreement for the global streaming rights to Major League Soccer.

Persons: Gianni Infantino Organizations: FIFA, Apple, FIFA’s, Major League Soccer Locations: United States, China

☆ Chicago Fire midfielder Kellyn Acosta scores wild stoppage-time goal from inside own half to complete improbable comeback win
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The drama was far from over, however, as Chicago, not content with tying things up, went in search of a winner deep into stoppage time. With under a minute to go, it appeared that the home team’s efforts would be in vain as Kellyn Acosta picked up the ball inside his own half. Acosta wheels away celebrating after seeing his long-range strike drop into the back of the net. “For me it was just about getting the ball in the mixed zone basically and create some things,” he explained. The result saw Chicago enter the win column for the first time this season, while Montréal picked up its first defeat of the current campaign.

Persons: Dominic Iankov, Raheem Edwards, Brian Gutiérrez, Hugo Cuypers, Kellyn Acosta, Jonathan Sirois, Acosta, Jamie Sabau, ” Acosta, ”, “, I’m, Patrick’s, ’, Montréal Organizations: CNN, Chicago Fire, Major League Soccer, CF Montréal, Chicago, Fire, USA, Sports, Reuters, ., Colorado Rapids Locations: Chicago, American, Windy, . Chicago

☆ Stella Artois taps David Beckham to restore its shine
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Stella Artois, the nearly century-old brew, isn’t immune to the difficulties facing beer sales, so it’s drafting one of the world’s most recognizable personalities to help the lager return to its former glory: David Beckham. On Tuesday, the Anheuser-Busch InBev-owned brand introduced the former soccer superstar as the new face of its beer, naming Beckham as its “official ambassador” for Stella Artois. David Beckham is the new face of Stella Artois. Beckham joins fellow soccer superstar Lionel Messi in the A-B ambassador portfolio. “Beckham certainly gives Stella Artois the kind of top-tier recognition that A-B has historically leaned on to gain attention,” Sightline’s Roth said.

Persons: New York CNN — Stella Artois, David Beckham, Beckham, ”, Stella Artois, weren’t, Bump, it’s, ” Bryan Roth, Richard Oppy, Oppy, Victoria Beckham, David, ” Oppy, Matt Damon, Zoe Saldana, Lionel Messi, Bud Light, “ Beckham, ” Sightline’s Roth, “, ” Roth, Messi “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Anheuser, Busch InBev, Bump Williams Consulting, Feel Goods Company, CNN, InBev, Maserati, Wimbledon, Roland, Garros, Inter Miami CF, Major League Soccer, Bowl, North America, Bud Light Locations: New York, Europe, America

☆ Apple has nabbed a key ad exec from NBCUniversal, and it points to its growing TV ad ambitions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple has been making a string of advertising hires, more signs of its ambitions to grow its TV ad business. Crawford helped lead Apple's Major League Soccer ad sales pitch with Todd Teresi, who leads Apple's ads division. Cady will also likely work closely with Lauren Fry, a TV and video ad sales veteran Apple hired in February 2023 as head of video ad sales. Jacqueline Bleazey, who joined video advertising sales in October, from senior director of sponsorships and ad sales at FanDuel and ad agency roles before that, according to her LinkedIn. For advertisers, Apple TV+ is a small but highly-rated player that would let them reach an affluent viewing audience that has been off-limits to them.

Persons: Joseph Cady, Cady, Krishan Bhatia, Winston Crawford, Crawford, Todd Teresi, Lauren Fry, Jason Brum, Chandler Taylor, Jacqueline Bleazey, Ted Lasso, It's, Apple Organizations: Apple, Amazon, Google, Business, Major League Soccer, MLS, MLB, DirecTV, NBCUniversal, Cannes, Netflix Locations: Peacock

☆ 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

☆ LAFC head coach condemns MLS game played in heavy snow as an ‘absolute disgrace’
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Issy Ronald | Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) head coach Steve Cherundolo said it was an “absolute disgrace” that his team’s match against Real Salt Lake (RSL) went ahead despite a blizzard engulfing the America First Field in Sandy, Utah on Saturday. After the Major League Soccer (MLS) match had been delayed for more than three hours due to the inclement conditions, LAFC sunk to a 3-0 defeat while the snow fell around the players. “It was not difficult conditions [but] impossible conditions, an absolute joke that we had to play today,” Cherundolo told reporters. LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo watches on from the touchline. “I didn’t even watch the game, the last 20 minutes you couldn’t see anything.”French World Cup winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was playing in his second game for LAFC.

Persons: Steve Cherundolo, ”, ” Cherundolo, Rob Gray, LAFC, Andrés Gómez, Hugo Lloris, Diego Luna, Gómez, Chico Arango, Cherundolo, Chris Gardner, Pablo Mastroeni, ’ Organizations: CNN, Los Angeles Football Club, Real, Real Salt Lake, America, Major League Soccer, USA, Sports, RSL, LAFC, Getty, MLS Locations: Real Salt, Sandy , Utah

☆ AiScout: Top soccer clubs are using a mobile app to find future stars
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —A London-based technology company is looking to “democratize” talent-identification and scouting in soccer using a mobile app. Free to download and available globally, the aiScout app allows aspiring soccer stars to enter virtual trials for professional clubs by uploading self-recorded footage of themselves completing a series of drills. Ben Greenwood had never had a trial with a professional club until he downloaded the app in 2019. Felton-Thomas said the “lion’s share” of its income comes from charging clubs a license fee to run the platform. Should soccer talent scouts be concerned about being edged out by the arrival of AI in their industry?

Persons: ’, ”, Richard Felton, Thomas, Ben Greenwood, Felton, ” Felton, player’s, he’s, We’ve, you’re Organizations: London CNN, English Premier League, Chelsea, Burnley, EPL, Bournemouth, Major League Soccer, US, View Research, CNN Locations: London, Felton

☆ 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

☆ MLS Season Pass: The world is obsessed with soccer. Can Apple make Americans love it too?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A centerpiece of that plan is “MLS Season Pass,” a sleekly designed streaming package that ditches the fragmentation other sports suffer from and lets fans stream globally every game — without blackouts — in the Apple TV app. The package costs $14.99 per month or $99 for the season and slightly less ($12.99 per month or $79 for the year) for existing Apple TV+ subscribers. “Once people tuned into the product, they were watching longer than our linear versions in past years,” Camilo Durana, executive vice president of MLS’ Apple partnership, properties and events, told CNN. On Wednesday, Apple released a new Sports app that shows live MLS scores and pushes people to watch them on “MLS Season Pass” on the Apple TV app. That matches a third-party report from analytics firm Antenna showing that “MLS Season Pass” was getting 6,000 new signups a day before Messi arrived but soared to 110,000 signups a day after he signed.

Persons: ” Sacha Kljestan, ” Kljestan, Kevin Egan, Andrew Wiebe, Kaylyn Kyle, Bradley Wright, Phillips, “, ” Camilo Durana, Maddie Meyer, Apple, Lionel Messi, Dre, Durana, Messi, It’s, Santosh Rao, ” Rao Organizations: New, New York CNN — Football, Major League Soccer, Apple, MLS, CNN, NFL, NBC, CBS, FOX, US, TSN, Columbus Crew, Inter Miami, Apple Music, Sports Business, Mobile, Manhattan Venture Partners, doesn’t Locations: New York, Spanish, Canada, Apple’s

☆ Spring Training at Coachella: Can the M.L.S. Cash In on Its Preseason?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Ken Belson | Alex Welsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Dan Perkin and Scott Bissmeyer, work buddies on vacation, sat on metal bleachers watching the Portland Timbers play the San Jose Earthquakes in the first of four preseason Major League Soccer games that day. Self-described “M.L.S. road trippers,” they have visited numerous M.L.S. stadiums, and have watched teams in Tucson, Ariz., where as many as 11 clubs came together for preseason training in the past. teams — along with two from the United Soccer League and four from the National Women’s Soccer League — gathered at a 1,000-acre property outside Palm Springs, Calif., for preseason training, Mr. Perkin and Mr. Bissmeyer decided to check it out.

Persons: Dan Perkin, Scott Bissmeyer, Perkin, Bissmeyer Organizations: Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Major League Soccer, United Soccer League, National Women’s Soccer League — Locations: ”, Tucson, Ariz, Palm Springs, Calif

☆ Apple releases free new sports app for iPhone
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The app, called Apple Sports, does one thing well: show sports scores from all the major teams and leagues. Apple services chief Eddy Cue said the company designed the app to be fast and simple for multiple quick checks per day. This new app, which won't come pre-installed on iPhones, is tightly integrated with Apple's other Services apps, such as the TV app and News app. It works for sports Apple carries, as well as games on streaming services that are connected to the Apple TV app, many of which still require a cable subscription but will increasingly be available from over-the-top streamers. Apple will also have features that will allow users to follow college basketball's March Madness tournament in the app, Cue said.

Persons: Aaron Judge, Roger Maris, Eddy Cue, incentivized, there's, it's Organizations: York Yankees, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Globe Life, Getty, Apple Sports, Major League Soccer, Apple, Super, Major League Baseball, Golden State Warriors, New England Patriots, Apple Apple, National Football League, YouTube, CNBC, National Basketball Association . Apple, Google, Apple News, Duke, Hollywood, Sports, MLB NFL NCAA, WNBA MLS, NCAA, NHL Bundesliga, Liga, Ligue, League Serie Locations: York, Arlington , Texas, U.S, Canada

☆ Ticket prices are crazy to see Lionel Messi in his MLS season debut against Salt Lake
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —Lionel Messi’s debut in his first full Major League Soccer season might not cost fans the extraordinary prices seen last year for his first-ever game with Inter Miami, but they do show that “Messi Mania” hasn’t diminished despite his rocky preseason. That’s 1,257% more expensive than the cheapest, or “get in” price of last season’s home opener when it cost $7 for a seat. Prices on the secondary market are elevated for the rest of Inter Miami’s season with tickets about 70% more expensive than last year. In particular, Inter Miami sales are 150-times higher compared to the start of last season and is the most in-demand MLS team, with the Los Angeles Galaxy in second and the New England Revolution in third. “The surge in sales for Inter Miami, and the league as a whole, are a testament to his legacy as a soccer star,” said StubHub spokesperson Adam Budell told CNN.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, “ Messi, ”, Messi, TickPick, “, ‘ Messi, ’, ” Brett Goldberg, Adam Budell, Messi’s, Billy Lalor Organizations: New, New York CNN, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, MLS, Miami, Real Salt Lake, Inter Miami’s, Montreal, Inter, CNN, MLB, NHL, Los Angeles Galaxy, ”, North Locations: New York, Real Salt, Argentina

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami closed out their tumultuous Major League Soccer preseason with a 1-1 draw against Messi's boyhood club, Newell's Old Boys on Thursday night. Messi checked out of the game Thursday with Inter Miami's Luis Suárez in the 60th minute. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesShanyder Borgelin put Inter Miami ahead 1-0 with a header in the 64th minute, and Newell's Franco Díaz tied it in the 83rd minute. Inter Miami set off on a global tour of exhibition games aimed at promotion and marketing, featuring Messi and the Uruguayan star Suárez. Inter Miami was outscored 12-7 in its first five games before a win in Hong Kong.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Messi, Martino, Inter Miami's Luis Suárez, Borgelin, Newell's Franco Díaz, Messi's, Suárez, Leo, Luis Suarez, ” Martino, Luis, fizzling, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Messi's, Newell's, FC Barcelona, Inter Miami's, Messi, MLS, Uruguayan, ” Inter Miami, Salt Lake Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Rosario, Argentina, Hong Kong, Salt

☆ Chinese city cancels Argentina soccer match after Messi backlash in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —A city in mainland China has canceled its plan to host a soccer match featuring Argentina’s national team amid a growing backlash in the country against star player Lionel Messi. Messi has faced an outpouring of criticism after he remained on the bench during an exhibition game featuring his Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in Hong Kong. Public relations nightmareMessi stayed on the substitute bench when Inter Miami played the Hong Kong team on February 4, despite repeated requests from the Hong Kong government and organizer, Tatler Asia, for him to get on the field. Messi later said this had been a “shame,” and that he had wanted to participate. “Our aspiration was to create an iconic moment in support of the government’s efforts to remind the world how relevant and exciting Hong Kong is.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, jeered, hasn’t, XFEST, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Argentina’s, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Hangzhou Sports Bureau, Hangzhou Olympic Sports, Argentina, Beijing Workers, Hong Kong, Hong, Tatler Asia, Vissel Locations: Hong Kong, China, Hangzhou, Argentina, Nigeria, Ivory, Vissel Kobe, Japan, Beijing, Asia

☆ Is Soccer Ready to Retire Its Last Taboo?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For as long as he could remember, his ambition had been to become a professional soccer player, to make a living doing the thing he loved. Martin was gay, and there were — as far as he knew — no gay soccer players. Forever.” Or at least, he thought, long enough “for me to live out my dream.”In reality, that contrast was not quite that stark. In 2018, at age 23, and while he was playing for Minnesota United in Major League Soccer, Martin came out as gay. He was thought to be the only openly gay male professional soccer player in the world at the time.

Persons: Collin Martin, Martin, —, ” Organizations: Minnesota United, Major League Soccer

☆ Messi’s ‘miracle’ return stirs Chinese anger and conspiracy theories
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“(He) played in five of the six preseason games and only missed the game in Hong Kong, China! Don’t come to China, China doesn’t welcome you,” another user wrote in a post liked by 20,000 others. “Why didn’t Messi play in Hong Kong or participate in the handshake with HK (the Hong Kong) chief executive? Messi's no-show sparks an outcry in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. One social media user noted that it was not only Messi who played in Tokyo, but not Hong Kong.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi didn’t, Messi, “ Messi, Hong Kong, Kenneth Fok, Hu Xijin, didn’t Messi, ” Hu, ”, Louise Delmotte, “ Don’t, Hong, David Beckham, Beckham, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Luis Suárez couldn’t, Philip Fong, “, nimbly, Regina Ip, ” “ Messi, Kenneth Chan, Taylor Swift, ’ Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Sunday, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Vissel, Hong, CNN, Weibo, HK, Global Times, Inter, National Basketball Association, Houston Rockets, Soccer, Ardent, Messi, Argentina national, Australia, Inter Miami's, Getty, The Inter Miami, Hong Kong Baptist University Locations: China, Hong Kong, Argentine, Japan, Vissel Kobe, Tokyo, Beijing, State, China’s Sichuan, Argentina, AFP, Asia

☆ Lionel Messi expresses regret over not being able to play in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Teele Rebane | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi expressed regret Tuesday over not being able to play in a friendly match in Hong Kong. Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, did not step onto the pitch to play against a Hong Kong XI on Sunday, causing outrage among fans. A sellout crowd of 40,000 attended the match in Hong Kong, but the occasion ended acrimoniously when fans booed, jeered and called for ticket refunds as Messi remained on the bench. Even the Hong Kong government said it was “disappointed” that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t brought on during the match. Messi added that he could understand why people were upset that he had not participated in the match, but expressed hope that Miami could play in Hong Kong again at some point.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, ” Messi, clamoring, jeered, ”, Ballon, wasn’t, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Luis Suárez Organizations: CNN, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Hong, Hong Kong XI, Inter, Miami, Wednesday, Vissel Locations: Argentine, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Kobe, Vissel Kobe

☆ Hong Kong government may cut support funding after Messi did not play in friendly match
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, CHINA - FEBRUARY 04: Fans react after not seeing Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi play during the friendly match between Hong Kong Team and Inter Miami CF at Hong Kong Stadium on February 4, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. The Hong Kong government said it may cut funding for a friendly match after soccer legend Lionel Messi did not take the pitch on Sunday. The Miami Herald reported that Messi had an MRI last week ahead of a friendly match in Saudi Arabia. The friendly match had been awarded "M" Mark status which is granted to major sporting events held in the city. Hong Kong said it had awarded the event a matching grant of 15 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.9 million) and a venue grant of HK$1 million.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi Organizations: Inter Miami's Argentine, Hong Kong Team, Inter Miami CF, Hong Kong, Hong, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Argentine, Miami Herald, Florida, China, HK Locations: HONG KONG, CHINA, Hong Kong, China, ., Saudi Arabia

☆ Hong Kong officials demand answers for Lionel Messi no-show
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —The Hong Kong government’s repeated requests for Lionel Messi to play in a sell-out soccer match went unanswered Sunday, a city official said, as cheers turned to jeers for the Argentine soccer legend. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong government, which provided more than $2 million in grants to the match organizer, also said it was “extremely disappointed” the star did not play. Fans make their feelings clear after Lionel Messi's Hong Kong no-show. ‘We do feel a bit scammed’“Messi mania” had captured Hong Kong with Inter Miami’s arrival on Friday as fans swarmed the Major League Soccer team’s hotel. Meanwhile, the stadium reached full capacity during the Inter Miami’s open training session the evening before the match.

Persons: Hong Kong government’s, Lionel Messi, jeers, –, Messi, Ballon, Kevin Yeung, XFEST, Lionel Messi's, Justin Chin, Yeung, “, ” Yeung, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, ‘, ’ “ Messi, ”, Ada Kam, Luis Suárez Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hong Kong, Inter Miami’s, Hong, Hong Kong XI, Culture, Bloomberg, Getty, Inter, Major League Soccer team’s, CNN, Nigeria Locations: Hong Kong, Hong, Argentine, Lionel Messi's Hong Kong, Miami, Inter Miami’s, Tokyo, China, Argentina, Hangzhou, Ivory Coast, Beijing

ATLANTA (AP) — Raheem Morris wants to make the most of his second opportunity as the Atlanta Falcons' coach. Morris brought up the Super Bowl loss and said he will be motivated to bring Atlanta its first championship. “I would never, ever feel slighted ... for what people would feel about coach Belichick, right?”Team president Greg Beadles said Belichick “was obviously a serious candidate. “I do understand the importance of being the first Black coach in Atlanta history without an interim tag,” Morris said. “He’s got two rings,” Fontenot said of Morris, who also won a Super Bowl as a Tampa Bay assistant.

Persons: — Raheem Morris, Morris, Tom Brady, ”, ” Morris, Morris —, —, “, Arthur Blank, Warrick Dunn, ” Dunn, Brett Jewkes, Jewkes, Blank, Bill Belichick, “ I've, Belichick, Greg Beadles, Belichick “, ” Beadles, Morris “, Terry Fontenot, Jim Harbaugh, Mike Vrabel, Arthur Smith, Smith, Rich McKay, McKay, Beadles, Fontenot, Zac Robinson, Jimmy Lake, Marquice Williams, Robinson, Lake, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, “ He’s, ” Fontenot, “ We’re Organizations: ATLANTA, Atlanta Falcons, Falcons, Super, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Former Patriots, Super Bowl, Atlanta, ”, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Tampa, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta United, Major League Soccer, Blank, Rams, Tampa Bay Locations: Atlanta, Michigan, Tampa Bay

☆ Here's why Apple stock is still worth holding despite Wall Street's shortsightedness
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +14 min

Asked a double-edged question: "What can you do to make my Apple stock go up." On Friday, we had so many storylines going it is hard to get your head around Apple's Vision Pro launch and its import. Most of all, however, the customer satisfaction level allows him to experiment with something really radical: the Vision Pro. No one is buzzing about how Apple can't meet demand for the Vision Pro. People walk in an Apple store on the day the Vision Pro headset goes on sale in Los Angeles, Feb. 2, 2024.

Persons: Apple's, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Matt Horween, Tim Cook, Cook, AirPods, Goldman Sachs, Apple, Ray, that's, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Mike Blake Organizations: Costco, Apple, Meta, Apple's Vision, Web Services, Reality Labs, Dow Jones Transportation, Federal Reserve, Huawei, Vision, Major League Soccer, CNBC Locations: China, Republic of China, Los Angeles

☆ 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

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kicked off their tour of Saudi Arabia by losing to Al-Hilal 4-3 on Monday. The Major League Soccer team is playing two games in the oil-rich kingdom as part of its preseason preparations, but even Messi could not inspire it to victory in Riyadh. While Messi got on the score sheet with a second-half penalty, Malcom came up with the decisive goal to win the match in the 88th. He ultimately opted for a move to the United States to join David Beckham's Miami and quickly led the team to its first trophy, the Leagues Cup. Just when Miami looked to have a draw, Malcom came up with the winner.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, Malcom, Hilal, Germain, David Beckham's Miami, Cristiano Ronaldo's Al, Nasser, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Abdullah Al, Hamdan, Luis Suarez, Michael, Messi's, David Ruiz, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Al, Major League Soccer, Messi, Paris Saint, Leagues, Newcastle, Fulham Locations: RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Hilal, Riyadh, Paris, United States, Miami, Hong Kong, Japan, Al

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