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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

HONG KONG (AP) — Lionel Messi stayed on the bench for the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Inter Miami defeated a Hong Kong XI 4-1 in the latest stop on the MLS team’s preseason Asian tour. Messi played the final seven minutes of the losing effort but a tight hamstring kept the eight-time Ballon D’or winner on the sidelines in Hong Kong along with Uruguayan forward and former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez. The fans who filled the same arena a day earlier at least saw the 2022 World Cup winner in an open training session along with Miami co-owner David Beckham. Robert Taylor opened the scoring for Miami five minutes before the break with a curling shot from the corner of the area. Miami finishes its Asian tour in Japan on Wednesday as it takes on Vissel Kobe.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia’s, Messi, Ballon, Luis Suarez, David Beckham, Robert Taylor, Henri Anier, Jorn Andersen, Lawson Sunderland, Miami’s, Leonardo Campana, Ryan Sailor, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, Hong, MLS, Hong Kong, Miami, Saudi, Uruguayan Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Nassr, Riyadh, Barcelona, Japan, Kobe

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

The Inter Miami star, World Cup champion and global soccer icon will headline a Super Bowl ad for Michelob Ultra, the brand announced Thursday. It’ll be Messi’s first Super Bowl commercial and adds to his massive advertising reach in the U.S. and globally. The Super Bowl spot is part of the beer’s sizable investment in soccer. It’s also expected that Ultra will partner with the men's World Cup when it comes to the U.S., Canada and Mexico in 2026 — when Messi and Argentina will aim to defend their title. He scored twice in the most recent World Cup final in 2022 that Argentina won against France on penalty kicks.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, He’ll, Messi, Michelob, It’s, —, ”, Serena Williams, Tony Romo, Jimmy Butler, Rickie Fowler, Alex Morgan, Canelo Alvarez, ___ Organizations: MIAMI, Inter Miami, Anheuser, Busch, Copa America, Messi, Adidas, Gatorade, International, Royal, Apple, Super, advertising's, Bushwood Country, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Heat, Argentina, France, League Locations: football’s, U.S, Las Vegas, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Royal Caribbean, “

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Lionel Messi's Argentina squad celebrated like they'd won the World Cup again after a dramatic 1-0 win over archrival Brazil on Tuesday. It was Brazil's first home defeat ever in World Cup qualifying, a game that was delayed because of a brawl between fans in the stands. It was also the first time since 2009 that the five-time World Cup winners failed to score in a home game. Political Cartoons View All 1262 ImagesMessi left the pitch in the 78th minute amid a mixture of jeers and applause from Brazil fans. The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada will include 48 teams, meaning direct entry for the top six teams from South America.

Persons: — Lionel Messi's, they'd, Messi, Nicolás, Fernando Diniz, they're, Ángel di Maria, “, Rodrigo de Paul, kneeled, Cristian Romero, Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo, Dibu Martinez, Otamendi, Lionel Scaloni, Endrick, Joelinton, ___ Organizations: RIO DE, archrival Brazil, Maracana, Inter Miami, South, Copa America, Brazil, ”, FIFA Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, — Lionel Messi's Argentina, Brazil, Barcelona, Argentine, Argentina, Rio de Janeiro, Maracana, Rio, Qatar, ” Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, United States, Mexico, Canada, South America, Bolivia, Montevideo, Peru

Goalkeeper Dibu Martinez raced to one of the rails in front of the Argentina fans to ask police to stop the violence. Brazil fans, who jeered and applauded Messi before the brawl began, chanted against him when he returned to the pitch. Argentina leads South American World Cup qualifying with 12 points from five games. The rivalry between Brazil and Argentina started at the club level and grew after the Argentinians won their first World Cup title in 1978. The reginal rivals have since played fierce matches in World Cup qualifying and in Copa America, but not in World Cups.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Dibu Martinez, jeered, Messi, Diego Maradona, Brazil's Organizations: RIO DE, American, Argentina, Police, Inter Miami, South, Argentinians, Copa America, Messi, Brazil's Fluminense, Copa Libertadores, Boca Juniors, ___ Locations: RIO DE JANEIRO, Argentina, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Argentine, Barcelona, Copa, Qatar, Croatia

And with that, Inter Miami got to celebrate the game's greatest player one more time in 2023. He embraced Garber, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas, then hoisted the trophy as the crowd roared. Political Cartoons View All 1240 Images“You, Inter Miami fans, have the best player who's ever played the game,” Garber said. “He’s the main star of this match and we want to join him celebrating his eighth Ballon D’Or,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said. But eight Ballon D’Or trophies sure swing the argument Messi’s way.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, —, Messi —, Don Garber, Garber, Jorge, Jose Mas, ” Messi, “, ”, who's, ” Garber, Ballon, Leo, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, NYCFC, “ You’ve, hadn’t, ” Martino, Michael Jordan, LeBron James ., Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Benjamin Cremaschi, “ He’s, I’ve Organizations: Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, New York City FC, MLS, ” Inter Miami, Inter, Argentina, Uruguay, U.S, CONCACAF, Soccer, Barcelona Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Paris, China, Miami, Argentina, Buenos Aires, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, men’s

Inter Miami announced Wednesday that its planned trip to China for a pair of exhibition matches has been called off. Political Cartoons View All 1227 Images“The tour promoter, NSN, has informed Inter Miami CF of the cancellation of its China Tour due to unforeseen circumstances in China,” read Inter Miami's statement. Messi returned to the U.S. early Tuesday after winning the Ballon d'Or and was with Inter Miami for a training session that morning. He remains under contract to Inter Miami for the 2024 and 2025 MLS seasons, making between $50 million and $60 million annually. He and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham have enormous followings in Asia, along with several endorsement deals in the region.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon, —, Li Keqiang, ”, “, NSN, Messi's ballyhooed, — hasn’t, David Beckham Organizations: Inter Miami, Argentina, TyC, Inter Miami CF, “ Inter, Inter Miami's, Major League Soccer, —, Australia, Olympic, Beijing Games Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, China, Argentina, U.S, Beijing, Asia

PARIS, France (AP) — Lionel Messi is the favorite to win a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday. Spain’s Aitana Bonmati is the favorite for the women’s award after leading her country to victory at the Women’s World Cup in August. But it is Messi who is favored to lift the Ballon d'Or, which is awarded to the best player in the world that year. His first Ballon d'Or was in 2009. The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to start at 19:30 GMT.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Spain’s, Messi, Germain, Erling Haaland, Ballon Organizations: MLS, Inter Miami, Leagues, Paris Saint, Manchester City, Premier League, Champions League, FA Locations: PARIS, France, Ballon, Paris, Argentine, Qatar, U.S, City

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

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Lionel Messi is in the starting lineup for Inter Miami in its MLS season finale against FC Charlotte. He was in the Inter Miami bench area with his teammates for the match after returning from Peru earlier in the day. It’ll be the first time Inter Miami goes on a foreign tour. Messi has 11 goals in 13 matches with Inter Miami this season. He was able to play as a reserve on Oct. 7 against Cincinnati, but Inter Miami lost 1-0 in the outcome that sealed its playoff elimination.

Persons: CHARLOTTE, — Lionel Messi, Messi, Charlotte, Ballon, It’ll, ___ Organizations: Inter Miami, MLS, FC Charlotte, Miami, Eastern Conference, Argentina, Peru, Inter, Leagues, Cincinnati Locations: N.C, Charlotte, Inter Miami, Peru, China, Argentina

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi says he will play in Inter Miami's season finale on Saturday, although the club hasn't confirmed that is the actual plan. Inter Miami says Messi's contract, a 2 1/2-year deal that runs through the 2025 season, is worth about $150 million. Messi is also expected to play in Inter Miami’s colors in early November, when the team plays two exhibition matches in China. But a leg injury derailed his season, and essentially ended Inter Miami’s chances of making the postseason. He was able to play as a reserve on Oct. 7 against Cincinnati, but Inter Miami lost 1-0 in the outcome that sealed its playoff elimination.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, hasn't, Messi —, Messi, ” Messi, Gerardo “ Tata ” Martino, Charlotte, Ballon, It’ll, Ronald Blum, ___ Organizations: Inter, Argentina, Peru, Inter Miami's, Major League Soccer, Charlotte, Wednesday, Inter Miami, MLS, Charlotte Observer, Association, Orlando City, World, Leagues, U.S, Miami, Cincinnati, AP Locations: FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla, Inter Miami, Peru, Miami, Argentina, Paris, China, New York

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 Gives M.L.S. First Taste of the Weight of His Star
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( James Wagner | More About James Wagner | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

He hugged the owners of his new team, including the former star David Beckham. 10 — Lionel Messi grinned and looked up at the crowd and the fireworks. If it has felt like a dream that Messi, who won the World Cup in December as Argentina’s captain and who has claimed seven Ballons d’Or as the world’s best player, chose Inter Miami of M.L.S. as his team for the twilight of his career, his unveiling event was proof that, yes, this has actually happened. Messi’s introduction was called La PresentaSíon, the presentation in Spanish, but with “Sí” (“Yes”) emphasized.

Persons: David Beckham, Lionel Messi grinned, Messi, d’Or, ” Messi, “ Sí Organizations: Inter Miami Locations: M.L.S, Miami, South Florida

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