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☆ 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

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, “

The women’s award finalists are 2023 World Cup winners Aitana Bonmatí and Jenni Hermoso of Spain, plus Linda Caicedo of Colombia. “The Best” awards represent FIFA’s version of the older and more prestigious Ballon d’Or prize. The awards ceremony at the Hammersmith Apollo theater in west London includes men's and women's awards for best coach, best goalkeeper and the Puskas Award for best goal. Messi, Mbappé and Haaland also comprised the shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award, which Messi won for an eighth time in October. The women’s eligibility period covered performances from Aug. 1, 2022 through the World Cup final last August.

Persons: —, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Aitana Bonmatí, Jenni Hermoso, Linda Caicedo, “, Puskas, Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Spain’s, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or, Spain's Alexia Putellas, ___ Organizations: Ballon, Hammersmith Apollo, Messi’s, Mbappe’s, England, Barcelona, Spanish, Champions League, FIFA Locations: Spain, Colombia, London, Messi’s Argentina, Mbappe’s France, Qatar, Sydney, Australia

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

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

☆ 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

☆ Luis Díaz inspires Colombia to emotional victory as his father watches from stands after kidnap release
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Luis Díaz scored two goals to help Colombia stun Brazil in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, as his father watched on from the stands just a week after being released by kidnappers. On October 28, Díaz Sr. was abducted along with his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, by ELN gunmen in his hometown of Barrancas, northeastern Colombia. Marulanda was rescued later that day, but Díaz Sr. was handed over just under two weeks later to a mixed commission of UN personnel and Catholic priests on Thursday in nearby city Valledupar. Footage once again showed Díaz Sr. passionately celebrating with tears in his eyes. The five-time World Cup champion has now slipped to fifth in the qualifying standings, with Colombia up to third.

Persons: CNN — Luis Díaz, Luis Manuel Díaz, Díaz, Cilenis, Marulanda, Gabriel Martinelli, Allison, Luis Díaz, Juan Barreto, “ I’m, ” Díaz, –, Ronald Araújo, Darwin, Lionel Messi, Ballon, “, ” Messi, TyC Organizations: CNN, Estadio Metropolitano, UN, Liverpool, Brazil, Getty, BBC Sport, Messi’s, TyC Sports, Reuters, “, ”, FIFA Locations: Colombia, Brazil, Barrancas, Valledupar, Barranquilla, Brazilian, AFP, Messi’s Argentina, Argentina, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, ” Argentina

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

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

A photograph showing Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi holding a placard for a sports memorabilia company has been altered to appear as though he is holding a Palestinian flag amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. “Leo Messi Palestinian Support,” reads a post with the altered image shared on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. And the original photo, posted on Instagram on May 10, 2021, by Messi and by the company, shows Messi holding up an Icons.com placard. Reuters has previously addressed a similar image altered to show Messi holding the Israeli flag. The image of Messi has been digitally altered to show him holding a Palestinian flag.

Persons: Lionel Messi, “ Leo Messi, Messi, Dan Rushton, Rushton, MN2S, Read Organizations: Palestinian, Twitter, Facebook, Reuters, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Israel, Instagram, Barcelona, Spain, Gaza, Palestinian

☆ 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

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

☆ Lionel Messi Wins Eighth Ballon D’Or as Soccer’s Best Player
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Victor Mather | More About Victor Mather | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual soccer award of the year, rewards the best player over a 12-month period. But Lionel Messi essentially won it in just about a month late last year. Rather it was his performance in helping carry Argentina last December to its first World Cup since 1986. He won the tournament’s most valuable player award as well. That performance more or less locked up the Ballon d’Or 11 months before it was handed to him.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Aitana, Germain Organizations: Messi, Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Spanish, France, Ballon, Paris St, Miami Locations: Barcelona, Miami, Argentina, Paris

☆ Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win men’s and women’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the annual soccer awards celebrating the best players in the men’s and women’s game. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony on October 30. “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time. Barcelona Femení won Women’s Club of the Year for its standout year, which included three titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League – and having a roster which included six Ballon d’Or Féminin nominees, including the winner, Bonmatí.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmatí, Féminin, Messi, Ballon, Erling Haaland, Germain, Kylian, “, I’ve, ”, David Beckham, Aitana, ” Messi, Odd Andersen, Diego Maradona, Diego, Maradona, ” Barça, Aitana Bonmati, Franck Fife, ” Bonmatí, Novak Djokovic, haven’t, ” Aitana Bonmatí, Javier Borrego, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr, Bonmatí’s, Salma Paralluelo, Jude Bellingham, Gerd Müller, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola’s, Barcelona Femení, d’Or Féminin, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, Argentina Ballon, Spain Gerd Müller, Striker, Emiliano Martínez, Socrates, Vinícius Jr Organizations: CNN, Argentina’s, Inter Miami star’s, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Inter Miami, Argentina –, Copa América, Getty, Argentina national, …, Copa, France Football, Barcelona, Liga, League, Wolfsburg, world’s, FC Barcelona, Europa Press, Chelsea, Roja, Bellingham, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, German, FA, Men’s Club, pipping Inter Milan, Women’s Club, Spanish, Women’s, League –, Norway Yashin, Aston Villa, Argentina Kopa, Real, Brazil Men’s Club, Year Manchester City Women’s Club Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Paris, Argentina, Qatar, Argentine, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Barça, Spanish, Bellingham, Los, Madrid, El Clásico, Manchester, Istanbul, Bonmatí, Manchester City, Norway, Real Madrid, Brazil

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

All of a sudden, after a single summer, the pink jersey is everywhere. Tor Southard was better placed than most, but even he was caught unaware. As Adidas’s senior director for soccer in North America, he had been receiving emails from colleagues for nearly a year asking if the company’s biggest star, Lionel Messi, would be joining Inter Miami, also a client of Adidas. As far as he knew, it was just a rumor. Like the rest of the planet, Southard learned it was true only on June 7, the day Messi announced his intentions in a rare interview with two Spanish news outlets.

Persons: Tor Southard, Adidas’s, Lionel Messi, Messi Organizations: Inter Miami, Adidas Locations: Buenos Aires, Bangkok, England, Southeast Asia, North America

☆ Lionel Messi’s final game of the season for Inter Miami ends in defeat
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —After a fairy tale start to his Inter Miami career, Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer (MLS) season ended in a 1-0 defeat on the road to Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday. “When we arrived, we had two competitions in which we had the potential to compete well: the Leagues Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. David Jensen/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images“Out of the three tournaments, one was won by Inter Miami. The Argentine captained Miami and played the entire match. Miami ends the season 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference, finishing with 34 points, while Messi concludes his campaign having scored 11 goals in 14 games in his debut season.

Persons: Lionel Messi’s, Kerwin Vargas ’, ”, Gerardo Martino, Lionel Messi, David Jensen, Messi, Ballon, Kristijan Kahlina Organizations: CNN, Inter Miami, Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer, Charlotte FC, Bank of America, Miami, Charlotte, Leagues, Messi, U.S, MLS, Argentine, Eastern Conference Locations: Miami

☆ Even Lionel Messi Couldn’t Save a Doomed American Season
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Joshua Robinson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The first season of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi project was all going to plan. The greatest player of his generation ws banging in goals, driving subscriptions to Major League Soccer matches on Apple TV and selling out stadiums wherever he went. Messi seemed happy and engaged. He even looked good in Miami’s flamingo-pink kit. It turns out that adding a seven-time Ballon d’Or winner midway through the season wasn’t quite enough to turn around what had been one of the worst teams in MLS before Messi’s arrival.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: Inter, Major League Soccer, Apple, Miami, MLS

Like many other Black Protestant churches, Calvary Baptist struggled economically during the coronavirus pandemic. But the church has transformed its parking lot to accommodate game-day fundraisers, with volunteers from the congregation staffing the lots and selling spaces for $15 per vehicle. All 250 parking spaces at the Calvary lot were full when Messi’s Inter Miami played the Union. Sometimes, rival fans park at the church. The church parking lot is often full on game days.

Persons: Martin Luther King Jr, Keith Dickens, Calvary, ”, Dickens, Lionel Messi, Jeffrey Scholes, “, Scholes, ” Scholes, King, ” Abe Gitterman, Lisa Lewis, Leslie Cranford, RVs —, Jones, Cranford, Kevin Ness, Jill Connerym, Connery, Taylor, Kevin Ulmet Organizations: Eagles, NFL, Calvary Baptist Church, Major League Soccer, Philadelphia Union, Subaru, Union, Calvary Baptist, Green Bay Packers, MLS, Messi’s Inter Miami, Sports, Chester’s Crozer Theological Seminary . Chester, John’s United Methodist Church, Texas Tech, Red Raiders, T, ”, Christian Science Church, Red Sox, Christian, Christian Science, Bethany Church, Packers, Nashville, Church, Nazarene, Nissan, Tennessee Titans, Lilly Endowment Inc, AP Locations: CHESTER, Pa, Philadelphia, Delaware, Calvary, Lubbock , Texas, St, Boston, Fenway, Green Bay , Wisconsin, Nashville, Haiti, Kenya, “

☆ Lionel Messi: ‘The Messi Experience’ offers fans interactive way of stepping into Argentine’s boots
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —If you’ve ever wanted to briefly step into Lionel Messi’s boots for a day, ‘The Messi Experience’ might be the closest you will get. Kicking off a world tour in Miami in April 2024, the “immersive adventure” will offer fans a brand-new perspective on the Argentine’s legendary career. Brad Penner/USA Today Network/ReutersMessi signed for MLS side Inter Miami in July after his contract expired at Paris Saint-Germain, reportedly turning down more lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia. Messi is currently the MLS’ highest-paid player with more than $20 million guaranteed, the MLS Players Association announced. In July, Inter Miami part-owner Jorge Mas told Spanish publication El Pais in an interview that Messi would earn between $50 and $60 million per year.

Persons: you’ve, Lionel Messi’s, ‘, Messi, ’, “, ” Messi, MLS Messi, Brad Penner, Reuters Messi, Germain, Ballon d’Or, Jorge Mas, Mas, El Organizations: CNN, Primo Entertainment, MLS, USA, Network, Reuters, Inter Miami, Paris Saint, League, La Liga, Barcelona, MLS Players Association, Argentine, Messi, El Pais, Apple TV, Adidas, Apple Locations: Miami, Paris, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Qatar, Spanish, El Pais

☆ 'Messi Meets America' review: Lionel Messi's Inter Miami arrival becomes a flat-footed Apple TV+ docuseries
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lionel Messi is widely considered the greatest soccer player in the world, which makes one wonder how extensive access to him and his new team could yield such a boring sports docuseries. Still, that adequately sums up “Messi Meets America,” an Apple TV+ project whose first three episodes have all the heft of a latenight infomercial. Part of that, admittedly, has to do with the way that Messi carefully protects his image, exhibiting a knack for speaking very earnestly in classic sports cliches. “Can one guy make that big of a difference?” Miami Herald sportswriter Michelle Kaufman asks early on. “Messi Meets America” premieres October 11 on Apple TV+.

Persons: Lionel Messi, “, Messi, –, David Beckham, Beckham, Messi –, “ Messi, America ”, Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Kaufman Organizations: CNN, “ Messi, Apple, Inter Miami CF, MLS, Netflix, Chicago Bulls, Charitably, Miami Herald, America

☆ Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s teenage star is ‘touched by the wand of God’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now, after a record-breaking year, almost everyone in world soccer is aware of Lamine Yamal. In April, at 15 years and 290 days, he became the youngest player to appear in a competitive fixture for the Blaugrana. When his star started to shine, questions were asked about which national team he would choose to represent. Unhelpful comparisonsDealing with such praise and adulation could be tricky for Yamal as he navigates the world of professional soccer. Yamal joined the Barcelona youth ranks at the age of seven, according to FIFA.

Persons: It’s, Yamal, Felipe Mondino, Luis de la Fuente, “, De la Fuente, ”, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Barcelona’s, Fati, David Ramos, Pedri, Xavi, ” Xavi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: CNN, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa, Spanish national, Georgia, La Liga, Granada, Barcelona, Spanish, Premier League, Brighton, FIFA, ESPN Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Moroccan, Equatorial Guinea, Nou

☆ Inter Miami suffers bruising defeat with Lionel Messi absent again through injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Inter Miami suffered a chastening Major League Soccer defeat by Chicago Fire on Wednesday – losing 4-1 – with talisman Lionel Messi missing through injury yet again. Messi has now missed the last four matches and his team has struggled to fill the gap left by the 36-year-old forward. Late last month, Miami manager Gerardo Martino said Messi was dealing with an old scar tissue problem. Michael Reaves/Getty ImagesWith doubts around whether Messi would play the match at Chicago’s Soldier Field, the hosts offered fans a financial incentive to attend. “I understand the expectation in Chicago, like there’s been in other places, but when a player isn’t in condition to play, he can’t play.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi, Gerardo Martino, Xherdan, Maren Haile, Selassie, Josef Martínez, Martino, ”, Michael Reaves, there’s, “, wasn’t Organizations: CNN — Inter Miami, Major League Soccer, Chicago Fire, –, English Premier League, Chicago, Miami, Eastern Conference, MLS, ” Inter Miami, Chicago’s, Inter, FC Cincinnati Locations: Miami, Chicago, United States

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