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☆ 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

Through five games, Inter Miami has been outscored 12-7 and won only once. Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino apologized for Messi's absence after Sunday's Hong Kong match. Fans who saw practice on Saturday at least saw the Argentina captain in a kick-around, with Miami co-owner David Beckham also on the field. “We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi) and Luis Suarez,” Martino said. Inter Miami is to practice on Tuesday on the outskirts of Tokyo with snow in the forecast.

Persons: —, Lionel Messi, Messi, Uruguayan Luis Suarez, Suarez, ” John Grady, ”, Grady, Gerardo Martino, David Beckham, Leo, Luis Suarez, ” Martino, “, Luis, ” Messi, Nassr, It's, Martino Organizations: TOKYO, Inter Miami's, Uruguayan, Vissel Kobe, Newell’s, Inter Miami, University of South, Associated Press, Miami, Al, Saudi Arabia —, MLS Locations: El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Florida, Argentina, University of South Carolina, Riyadh, Japan, Tokyo

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

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

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, “

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, “

☆ Messi's new Inter Miami soccer jersey replaces crypto firm logo with cruise operator icon
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Benjamin Cremaschi #30, Lionel Messi #10 and Luis Suarez #9 of Inter Miami CF unveil new jerseys during the Royal Carribean & Inter Miami CF Launch Event on January 23, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi and his teammates at Major League Soccer's Inter Miami will wear the icon of Royal Caribbean International on their jerseys for the upcoming campaign, replacing crypto investment firm XBTO as the club's main sponsor. In a statement published Tuesday, Royal Caribbean International announced it would soon "make its mark front and center" on the Inter Miami's team's soccer jerseys. The sponsorship deal is likely seeking to harness Messi's popularity ahead of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's second season at Inter Miami. Alongside partnering with Hard Rock International for a "Milanese style" chicken sandwich, Messi recently helped Royal Caribbean International to launch its enormous "Icon of the Seas" ship.

Persons: Benjamin Cremaschi, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jason Liberty, Messi Organizations: Inter Miami CF, Royal, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, Royal Caribbean International, Inter Miami's, Royal Caribbean Group, Hard, International Locations: Miami , Florida, Florida, South Florida

☆ FIFA Best Awards: Lionel Messi, Aitana Bonmatí, a green carpet and a mini tuxedo. Step inside the surreal world
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Matias Grez | Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Spaniard went on to be crowned the Best Men’s Coach after guiding City to the treble last season. That is not normal – for anything in history.”Manchester City Pep Guardiola poses with the trophy after being named the best men's coach in 2023. Later, shortlists were determined by two separate panels of experts in men’s and women’s football. Players past and present were in attendance, including the likes of Brazilian great Ronaldo and the newly crowned Women’s Best Player, Aitana Bonmatí. I’m very happy about how women’s football has evolved in Brazil and in the world.

Persons: CNN —, Pep Guardiola, Romina Polenta, Polenta, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, “, Messi, ” Polenta, Manchester City Pep Guardiola, Michael Regan, Johanne Perraud, “ Kiki, ”, Perraud didn’t, murmurs, shortlists, Ronaldo, Aitana Bonmatí, Oussama Nacer, I’ve, Nacer, Thierry Henry, ” Johanne Perraud, Romina, Matias Grez, Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Rubiales, Hermoso, Sarina Wiegman, Marta, “ There’ll, I’m, It’s, Hugo Íñiguez, Íñiguez’s, Íñiguez Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Manchester City, Spaniard, CNN Sport, Qatar, Inter Miami, MLS, Nacer, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Argentine, Colón, Salta Rodríguez Locations: London, Argentina, Qatar, Buenos Aires, France, men’s, Spain, Brazil, Salta

☆ ChatGPT, Oppenheimer and Indian entertainment top the most-viewed Wikipedia pages in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Sergio Padilla | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Given its massive surge in popularity, the page about OpenAI’s virtual chatbot ChatGPT was the most viewed page on Wikipedia this year, amassing more than 49.4 million page views. The Wikipedia entry about the series drew more than 38 million page views. Virat Kohli of India bats during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 Final between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. The page for the league itself received more than 32 million views and the 2023 season receiving more than 20 million views. Chris Pizzello/APThe Oppenheimer film received more than 28 million page views, the page about real-life physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer himself received 25.6 million views while the Barbie film received 18 million.

Persons: New York CNN —, ChatGPT, ”, Anusha Alikhan, Alikhan, It’s, “ Oppenheimer, Virat Kohli, Narendra Modi, Gareth Copley, Jawan, Pathaan ”, Barbie ”, ” Barbie, Oppenheimer, Chris Pizzello, J, Robert Oppenheimer, Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Andrew Tate, misogynist influencer, Tate, Barbie, Cristiano Ronaldo, Matthew Perry, Lisa Marie Presley Organizations: New, New York CNN, New York CNN — Wikipedia’s, Wikimedia Foundation, CNN, Indian Premier League, Cricket, ”, United Nations, Internet, Mobile Association of India, eventual, Australia, ICC Men's Cricket, Narendra, Getty, Men’s Cricket, Warner Bros, Los Feliz Theatre, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Premier League Locations: New York, ” India, India, United States, United Kingdom, China, Australia, Ahmedabad, Wikipedia’s, Los Angeles, Gaza, Ukraine, Hamas, Israel, Romania, ChatGPT, Water

☆ Copa América 2024: CONMEBOL announces 14 host cities as tournament returns to the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —CONMEBOL, South America’s soccer federation, has announced the 14 cities that will host matches at the 2024 Copa América as the tournament returns to the United States for the first time since 2016. Ecuador was originally designated as the tournament host but pulled out in November 2022 due to economic and security concerns, as well as a lack of viable stadiums. CONMEBOL has encountered obstacles in hosting the last three editions of the Copa América held in South America. Now, for the third edition in a row, the host nation has been changed after the US took over organizing duties from Ecuador. Argentina won the postponed 2020 edition of the Copa América, which was moved to Brazil.

Persons: América, Atlanta United’s Mercedes, Michael Zarrilli, ” Ezequiel Fernández Moores, Copa América, Fernández Moores, Amanda Perobelli, ” Fernández Moores, “, Lionel Messi’s, Henry Romero, he’s, hasn’t, Messi, ” Sean Gregory, –, ” Organizations: CNN — CONMEBOL, Miami Gardens, Kansas City, Atlanta United’s, Benz, Copa América, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF –, Copa, Reuters, State, América, FIFA, USA, Canada, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, US, National, Inter Miami, Host Chile, Copa America, –, Leagues, “, TIME, FIFA Club Locations: South, United States, Vegas, Arlington (, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami, Santa Clara, Atlanta, East Rutherford ( NJ, Houston, Austin, Inglewood, CA, Glendale, AZ, Kansas, South America, Ecuador, Peru, North America, Central America, Caribbean, American, America, Argentine, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, California, United, Mexico

☆ Lionel Messi says he is focused on playing at next year’s Copa América but doesn’t rule out appearing at 2026 World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Issy Ronald | Benjamin Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

All I’m thinking about today is getting to the Copa América and being able to play in it,” he said. “Then time will tell whether I’ll be at the World Cup or not. I’m going to be at an age (39) that normally doesn’t allow me to play in the World Cup. That victory, along with a 2021 Copa América trophy, came after international glory had eluded Argentina and Messi for years, as they lost three major finals in a row – the 2014 World Cup, 2015 Copa and 2016 Copa. “Maybe we’ll do well in the Copa América and everything will work out for me to continue.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon, hasn’t, ”, I’ll, “, ” Messi, Messi, Megan Briggs Organizations: CNN, Copa América, ESPN, Argentina, Copa, France, Qatar, MLS, Inter Miami, Leagues, Messi Locations: USA, Argentina

☆ Brazil vs. Argentina: Historic World Cup qualifier is overshadowed by violence and chaos at the Maracanã stadium
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Brazil suffered its first ever home World Cup qualifying defeat on Tuesday, as Argentina earned a 1-0 win on a night of violence and chaos at the iconic Maracanã stadium. However, the match was overshadowed by violence in the stands which delayed the start of the World Cup qualifier. The Inter Miami forward first led his teammates over to the stand where the fighting was taking place and pleaded with both the police and Argentina fans – some of who were seen throwing ripped out seats at the security officials – for calm. “The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Messi told reporters after the match, per Reuters. Wagner Meier/Getty ImagesThere are 18 rounds in South America’s World Cup qualifying system, with the top six teams progressing to the 2026 event while the seventh-placed country will go into the FIFA play-off tournament, which will involve six countries from other continents.

Persons: Nicolas Otamendi’s, Lionel Messi, –, Aston, Emi Martinez, Ricardo Moraes, Messi, “, ”, ” Messi, Lionel Scaloni, ” Scaolini, “ It’s, Fernando Diniz, Wagner Meier, CNN’s Duarte Mendonça Organizations: CNN, The Inter Miami, Aston Villa, Brazilian Football Confederation, FIFA –, CONMEBOL, CBF, RJ Military Police, Argentine, didn’t, Reuters, Argentina, Fluminense, Copa Libertadores, FIFA Locations: Argentina, Brazil

☆ M.L.S. Fans Will Pay More to See Lionel Messi
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Victor Mather | More About Victor Mather | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A holiday deal offered by the Red Bulls soccer team includes some merchandise, like a travel mug, as well as tickets to two games, including its first home game. But there is some fine print. Miami is the team of Messi, the global superstar, and a chance to see him is a lot more appealing than a random game against, say, Toronto F.C. Some Red Bulls fans who noticed the fine print were annoyed and expressed that on social media — words like “gouge” were common. “It’s purely naïve to expect the league not to try to capitalize on this at all costs,” said Dan Rodriguez, a Red Bulls fan from Westchester County, N.Y.

Persons: Lionel Messi, “, ”, Dan Rodriguez Organizations: Red Bulls, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Miami, Messi, Toronto F.C Locations: Westchester County, N.Y

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

Messi's Inter Miami will travel to Saudi Arabia in February to take part in the Riyadh Season Cup, which also includes Ronaldo's Al Nassr. Saudi Arabia has made a major push to be a big player in world soccer by signing some of the game's biggest players. Political Cartoons View All 1260 ImagesMessi took part in last season's Riyadh Season Cup with PSG and also came up against Ronaldo after the Portugal great's surprise move to Al Nassr. In May, Messi was fined and suspended by the French club for taking an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. The Riyadh Season Cup is scheduled to be held in the first week of February at Kingdom Arena.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Neymar's Al, ”, Turki Alalshikh, Messi, Germain, Ballon, David Beckham, Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Sergej Milinkovic, Savic, Chris Henderson, Henderson, “, ” Henderson, Tim Reynolds, ___ James Robson Organizations: Messi's Inter Miami, Brazil, Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Paris Saint, MLS, PSG, Ronaldo, Miami, Leagues, Real, Copa America, Inter Miami, U.S, Inter Miami didn’t Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Hilal, Paris, Portugal, Argentina, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Saudi, Al, China, Miami

☆ 'Funflation' drives sporting event ticket prices up a whopping 25%
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

'A gigantic bounce back'Admission prices for sporting events jumped 25.1% in October 2023 from the same month a year prior, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' consumer price index data. There's also an alignment of attention-grabbing sporting events taking place this fall. Sports ticket prices were 14.2% higher in October than in November 2019, a smaller gain than the entire index's 19.6% increase, a CNBC analysis of CPI data shows. "We're seeing a gigantic bounce back in prices," Matheson said. StubHub said ticket prices across the top 10 sporting events were 15% higher in 2022 than they were in 2023.

Persons: John Brown, Bryan M, Bennett, Dan Hornberger, That's, Victor Matheson, Matheson, There's, Lionel Messi's, Taylor Swift, StubHub, Rodney Paul, Paul Organizations: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Highmark, Getty, National Football, Philadelphia Eagles, Bureau of Labor Statistics, College of, Inter Miami, Sports, CNBC, NFL, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, NBA, Syracuse University Locations: Orchard Park , New York, Las Vegas

☆ Prices for a set of Messi’s World Cup jerseys could exceed a record $10 million
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

A set of six jerseys that he wore during last year’s World Cup, which his home country of Argentina won, are being put up for auction by Sotheby’s next week. That shirt currently holds the world record title of being the “most valuable item of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction,” according to the auction house. Bids were initially expected to range from $5 million to $7 million, perhaps signaling that Messi’s jersey prices could go higher. The online auction for Messi’s jerseys runs from November 30 to December 14 and will be displayed during that time in a free exhibition at Sotheby’s gallery in New York. His appearances sent MLS ticket prices skyrocketing and fans had trouble getting their hands on replica jerseys for several months.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Sotheby’s, Michael Jordan, Diego Maradona, ”, Brahm Wachter, Messi, Messi’s, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, Germain Organizations: New, New York CNN — Soccer, France, FC Barcelona, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real, NFL, NBA, MLS, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, FIFA, Adidas Locations: New York, Argentina, Argentine, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Qatar

LONDON (AP) — Sotheby's is set to auction off six shirts worn by Lionel Messi during Argentina's winning run at last year's soccer World Cup in Qatar and thinks they could become the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever sold at potentially more than $10 million. In defeating France in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw at Lusail Stadium, Argentina won its third World Cup. Sotheby’s, which was founded in London in 1744, will offer Messi’s shirts between Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. A free exhibition at the company's New York headquarters will allow the public to see the shirts during the bidding dates. Winning, and lifting, the World Cup last year meant Messi emulated the feat of Maradona in 1986, the second time Argentina won the trophy.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Argentina's, Messi, Michael Jordan’s, Diego Maradona, Maradona, Sant Joan de Déu, Leo Messi, Pele, That's Organizations: France, Lusail, Argentina, U.S, England, UNICAS, Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Children’s Hospital, Leo Messi Foundation, Inter Miami, MLS, Barcelona, European Champions League Locations: Qatar, New York, Argentina, London, York, Sotheby's, Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona

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

☆ Portland Timbers name Neville as head coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO:Soccer Football - England - Phil Neville Press Conference - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - February 18, 2020 Phil Neville during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 7 (Reuters) - Major League Soccer (MLS) side Portland Timbers named former Manchester United full back Phil Neville as head coach on Monday. Neville, who joined the Canada national team's coaching staff after leaving Inter Miami in June, had signed on until the end of the 2026 season, the Timbers said in a news release. The 2015 MLS Cup winners parted ways with Giovanni Savarese in August, ending his five-and-a-half year tenure as head coach. Assistant coach Miles Joseph served as interim head coach until Neville's appointment. Neville, who won six Premier League titles as a player with Manchester United and was part of their 1999 treble-winning side, was the England women's head coach before joining Miami.

Persons: Phil Neville, Peter Cziborra, Neville, Giovanni Savarese, Miles Joseph, Chiranjit, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Football, Phil Neville Press Conference, Wembley, Major League Soccer, Portland Timbers, Manchester United, Canada national, Inter Miami, Timbers, Premier League, Miami, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, England, Bengaluru

☆ Fact Check: Messi photo altered to show him holding Israeli flag
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An image of Argentinian soccer player Lionel Messi holding a placard for a sports memorabilia company has been digitally altered to show Messi holding an Israeli flag. The altered image is on Facebook with the caption: “Messi support Israel”, and is modified further to look like a screenshot of a post on Messi’s official Instagram account. There is no evidence of the photo being posted to Messi’s Instagram page. Reuters has addressed a similar image altered to show Messi holding the Palestinian flag amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The image has been digitally altered to show Messi holding an Israeli flag.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, “ Messi, Israel ”, “, Icons.com, ” Icons.com, Read Organizations: Facebook, Reuters, Messi, Inter Miami FC, Thomson Locations: Miami, Israeli, Israel

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