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Kylian Mbappe has told Paris Saint-Germain he will leave the club at the end of the season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. Mbappe, who has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid, will be a free agent at the end of the campaign after seven years with PSG. Mbappe has been at PSG since 2017 after signing from Monaco in a transfer worth a reported $190 million. Mbappe will be the latest superstar player to leave the French club in recent times following the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar last year. Mbappe won five French league titles with PSG, but has so far failed to lead it to success in the Champions League.

Persons: Kylian Mbappe, Germain, Mbappe hasn’t, PSG President Nasser Al, Khelaifi, Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Neymar Organizations: Paris Saint, Associated Press, PSG President, PSG, France, Monaco, Real, Champions League, ___ Locations: Real Madrid, Madrid, Mbappe

☆ Opinion: A thrilling Super Bowl that was also about something more
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Opinion Amy Bass | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Amy Bass Rodney BedsoleThis time around, football pundits wondered if Super Bowl LVIII would be the coronation of Chiefs coach Andy Reid and the establishment of a Kansas City dynasty with a third title in five years. This Super Bowl matchup, of course, had history. “We’re not done.”Key to any Super Bowl, of course, is the halftime show. Compared to Usher on roller skates, the commercials – which often take center stage of any Super Bowl broadcast — were relatively tame. “Taylor Swift is in Las Vegas,” commentator Ian Rappoport had assured Taylor Nation.

Persons: Amy Bass, Read, Patrick Mahomes, Mecole, ” Hardman, Tom Brady, Michael Che, ”, Donald Trump’s, Lady Gaga, Amy Bass Rodney Bedsole, Andy Reid, Kyle Shanahan’s, Mike, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Reid, Kelce, Shanahan, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Swift, Taylor, Purdy, Jake Moody’s, Harrison Butker, Moody, Butker, Mahomes, “ We’re, Usher, Alicia Keys, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Lionel Messi, Dan Marino, Jason Sudeikis shilled, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Dunkin, Robert F Kennedy Jr, ’, Kennedy, Kennedy Jr’s, Taylor —, “ Taylor Swift, Ian Rappoport, “ I’ll, —, Ashley Avignone, Joe Biden, Trump, ” Taylor, Joe Biden ”, Biden, Biden — Organizations: Manhattanville College, CNN, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Budweiser, Denver Broncos, Chiefs, 49ers, Super, Kansas City, Verizon, PAC, “ GO CHIEFS, NFL, Truth Locations: America, Kansas, San Francisco, Japan, Las Vegas, Mahomes, Cetaphil’s, Massachusetts, Sephora

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Live updates from the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Taylor Swift reached LAX in her journey from Tokyo to the Super Bowl, online sleuths sayWill she make it in time? Read moreThree longtime friends have attended every Super Bowl — and don’t intend to stopAs long as they still have each other, they’re still going to go to every Super Bowl. Here’s why millions are excited for Super Bowl SundayMillions of Americans will find something to be excited about when it comes to Super Bowl Sunday. Four in 10 U.S. adults are extremely or very excited for at least one part of the Super Bowl day’s festivities.

Persons: Woo, “, Tony, Susan Chiosso, Tony Chiosso, Taylor Swift, they’ve, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, Andy Reid, Purdy, Kyle Shanahan’s, Jimmy Garoppolo, they’re, Don Crisman of, Gregory Eaton of, Tom Henschel, Taylor, Swift, belting, Rhonda LeValdo, Bill Vinovich, Jennifer Anniston, Christopher Walken, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Jenna Ortega, Lionel Messi, Tom Brady, Judy ” Judy Sheindlin, Usher, That’s, Taylor Swift ., Trent Williams savors, Trent Williams, Williams, ___ Organizations: LAS VEGAS, Super, CBS, Nickelodeon, San Francisco 49ers, Area, Kansas City Chiefs, LAX, Intrepid, NFL, Chiefs, 49ers, San Francisco, Kansas City, KC, U.S, NASCAR, Reading Phillies, Super Bowl, Haskell Indian Nations University, Sunday’s, Rams, Saints, Sunday, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Fame, Pro, Kansas City ., Team, Lahainaluna, School Locations: Las Vegas, Allegiant, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Miami, Don Crisman of Maine, Gregory Eaton of Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania, Acoma Pueblo, Kansas City, U.S, Washington, Hawaii, Lahaina

Tickets for the game cost up to 4,880 Hong Kong dollars ($624) each. In its statement, Tatler Asia said it would refund 56 million Hong Kong dollars ($7.2 million) in total, resulting in a loss of 43 million Hong Kong dollars ($5.5 million). Before the refund, its net income stood at 13 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.7 million), the organizer said. In response to the announcement, the Hong Kong government welcomed the arrangement in a statement, calling it as a responsible move. “One theory is that their actions have political motives, as Hong Kong intends to boost economy through the event and external forces deliberately wanted to embarrass Hong Kong through this incident,” it said.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Messi’s, “, Regina Ip, “ Messi, Hong Kongers, ___ Organizations: Inter, Global Times, Tatler Asia, Tatler, Hong Kong, Hong, Inter Miami, Associated Press, Weibo, Messi, ”, Executive, Miami, Newell’s Old Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Argentina, Tokyo, Asia, Japan, Tatler Asia, Inter Miami, Beijing, Regina, Weibo, El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Florida, Rosario

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSports streaming is here. Will TV break? But now, you've got Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime, Lionel Messi on Apple TV, WWE Smackdown on Netflix, and Google's YouTube TV as the fourth biggest TV provider in the country. Even traditional TV is giving in, with a new mega-sports app from Fox, Disney's ESPN, and Warner Brothers Discovery. This week on TechCheck, we update our "Great Rebundling" deep-dive and ask, does live sports break the dam?

Persons: you've, Lionel Messi Organizations: Sports, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, WWE, Netflix, YouTube, Fox, ESPN, Warner Brothers Discovery

☆ 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

☆ Super Bowl Ads Ditch Politics for Celebs, Taylor Swift and AI
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Sheila Dang(Reuters) - Fans can expect celebrities and more lighthearted commercials, along with glimpses of Taylor Swift, during the Super Bowl on Sunday, as corporate advertisers avoid the recent practice of using the big game to promote social causes. While high-priced Super Bowl commercials often play for laughs in trying to make an impression, the flashy productions can also reflect the national mood. Budweiser in 2017 used the Super Bowl to depict Anheuser-Busch's founder making the journey from Germany to America in 1857, encountering xenophobia and discrimination along the way. NONPROFITS GET IN ON THE GAMEWhile corporations may steer clear of potentially divisive issues, at least two nonprofits have announced Super Bowl ads. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will air a tense anti-cheese commercial featuring actress Edie Falco and a mother cow in distress.

Persons: Sheila Dang, Taylor Swift, ”, Kim Whitler, Lionel Messi, Swift, Travis Kelce, Charles R, Taylor, “ It's, ” Taylor, Bud Light, Light Genie, Dana White, Hall, Peyton Manning, Todd Allen, Whitler, ” Whitler, Robert Kraft, Clarence B, Jones, Martin Luther King Jr, Edie Falco, Bill Berkrot Organizations: University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, Procter & Gamble, Budweiser, Anheuser, Clydesdale, Super Bowl, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Chiefs, Villanova University School of Business, Swift, CBS, UFC, Hall of Fame, Google, Foundation, Combat, New England Patriots, Clarence, Animals, PETA Locations: Germany, America, Israel, Austin

☆ 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

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

CNN —Inter Miami star Lionel Messi returned to action on Wednesday in a match against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, though Chinese fans remain upset that the star did not play in Sunday’s game in Hong Kong. “Hello to all my fans in mainland China and Hong Kong! Philip Fong/AFP/Getty ImagesDuring Wednesday’s game against Vissel Kobe, Messi was brought on for David Ruiz as a second-half substitute. Fans in Hong Kong booed and called for ticket refunds due to Messi’s non-appearance in Sunday’s game, and even the Hong Kong government shared its dismay that the forward had not taken to the field. Luis Suárez, Messi former teammate at Barcelona, was also sidelined with an injury in Hong Kong but played 75 minutes for Miami against Vissel Kobe.

Persons: Lionel Messi, “, ” Messi, Messi, Vissel Kobe, Philip Fong, David Ruiz, Luis Suárez Organizations: CNN — Inter Miami, Vissel, Weibo, Messi, Vissel Kobe, Miami, Hong, Barcelona Locations: Vissel Kobe, Tokyo, Hong Kong, China, Sichuan, Weibo, AFP, Japan

TOKYO (AP) — Look for Lionel Messi to play in Wednesday's friendly in Tokyo with Inter Miami facing Japanese club Vissel Kobe. He sat alone on a stool on stage, wore a pink warm-up jacket, and showed a bit of humility. But I feel much better and I really want to be able to do it.”Messi tried to explain to Hong Kong fans, saying it was impossible for him to play with a groin injury. Through five games from El Salvador, to Dallas, to Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, Inter Miami has won only once and has been outscored 12-7. “I hope we can return and we can play another game and I can be present,” he said.

Persons: Lionel Messi, refeunds, Luis Suarez —, —, Messi, Andres Iniesta, ” Messi, ”, Suarez, Mark Conrad, ” Conrad Organizations: TOKYO, Inter Miami, Vissel Kobe, Hong Kong, Kobe, ” Inter, Tokyo Olympics, Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business, Associated Press Locations: Tokyo, Barcelona, Japanese, Hong Kong, El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia

☆ 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

☆ It’s not just the Super Bowl. Catching a game is becoming unaffordable
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In 2023, the average NFL ticket climbed 8.6% to $120, according to Team Marketing Report, a sports market research company. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the Super Bowl, is the third smallest NFL stadium. The closing of the upper deck in Oakland helped the Athletics raise ticket prices during the early 2000s, for example. Five of the most recent seven NFL stadiums have seating for 71,000 or less. Relatively small, that ranks it 27th out of 30 NFL stadiums in capacity.

Persons: ”, Victor Matheson, Lionel Messi’s, Todd Kirkland, ” Matheson, Kirby Lee, Dennis Coates Organizations: New, New York CNN, Super, NFL, College of, Nebraska, Lionel Messi’s MLS, Atlanta Braves, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, Ticketmaster, New York Yankees, USA, Reuters, Athletics, Oakland, Las, University of Maryland, Minnesota Twins, Florida Marlins, NFL’s Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers Locations: New York, Las Vegas, Oakland, Baltimore County

☆ Lionel Messi: Paper napkin ‘contract’ to seal move to FC Barcelona heads to auction with a $380,000 starting bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The paper napkin containing the agreement which saw Lionel Messi join FC Barcelona will go to auction with a starting price of $380,000 (£300,000). Together with Rexach, Minguella helped organize Messi’s initial audition with the Blaugrana in September 2000. On December 14, Rexach, Minguella and Gaggioli met for lunch at the Pompeia tennis club to sign the napkin. “Yes, it’s a paper napkin, but it’s the famous napkin that was at the inception of Lionel Messi’s career. It changed the life of Messi, the future of FC Barcelona, and was instrumental in giving some of the most glorious moments of football to billions of fans around the globe.”

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Carles Rexach, Minguella, Horacio, ” Rexach, Horacio Gaggioli, Josep Minguella, Rexach, Gaggioli, Joan Gaspart –, – Messi, ” Ian Ehling, “, Lionel Messi’s Organizations: CNN, FC Barcelona, Messi, Barcelona, Camp, La Liga, Bonhams Locations: Barcelona, Argentine, York

NEW YORK (AP) — Budweiser is bringing back some familiar characters this year in its Super Bowl ad. Some advertisers are releasing ads ahead of Super Bowl 58 in the hope of capitalizing on the buzz that builds as the game approaches. Bud Light also angered supporters of transgender rights who felt it abandoned Mulvaney. “The first Super Bowl spots to be released embrace light humor," said Northwestern University marketing professor Tim Calkins. "This isn’t a surprise; safety is key when advertising on the Super Bowl so most advertisers will stay far away from controversial topics.”As always, commercials are stuffed — even overstuffed — with celebrities.

Persons: Bud Light, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, “, ”, Ray Taylor, they’ve, hasn't, Lionel Messi, Kate McKinnon, Pete Davidson, Tim Calkins, Vince Vaughan, Tom Brady, Brady miffed, Wayne Gretzky Organizations: Budweiser, Super, advertising's, CBS, Paramount, Nickelodeon, Anheuser, Busch, Villanova School of Business, ” Anheuser, Bud, Kawasaki, Northwestern University Locations: Labrador, America

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, “

☆ Icon of the Seas: The world’s largest cruise ship sets sail on maiden voyage
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —There is nothing subtle about the world’s largest cruise ship. The commotion brought traffic to a halt along the causeway to Miami Beach that parallels the cruise ship channel. Icon of the Seas’ list of superlatives and firsts is longFinding time to fit in everything onboard Icon of the Seas promises to keep passengers busy. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than required for ships designed today. Royal Caribbean International is clearly pitching Icon of the Seas to a market that goes beyond cruising.

Persons: Lionel Messi, ”, Hurricane Hunter, Oz, Bryan Comer, Comer, Colleen McDaniel, McDaniels, ” McDaniels, Michael Verdure, Rob Clabbers, Q, ” Clabbers, Wagyu, Michael Bayley, ” Bayley, Jay Schneider, Royal, “, ‘, ’ ” Schneider, Terry Ward Organizations: CNN, Port, Hurricane, Storm, Royal, The International Council, Clean Transportation, Royal Caribbean International, Cruise, CNN Travel, Seas, Star, Royal Caribbean Locations: Port of Miami, Turku, Finland, Miami Beach, Argentine, Miami, Eastern Caribbean, Sedona , Arizona, Royal Caribbean, Florida’s Port Canaveral, Orlando, Chicago, Izumi, Caribbean, Vegas, Florida, Tampa

☆ 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

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, “

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