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Tag: Messi

  • MLS: Messi speaks on leaving Inter Miami for European side on loan this season

    MLS: Messi speaks on leaving Inter Miami for European side on loan this season

    Lionel Messi has reacted to speculations he was planning to leave Inter Miami on loan to play for another club once the MLS season is over.

    Inter Miami missed the MLS playoffs by few points and are set to take on Charlotte FC in their last game on Saturday.

    There were rumours flying around that the Argentine could return to Europe on loan during the MLS post-season break to keep up his match fitness.

    However, when asked whether he was considering playing for another club in December, Messi said: “No.

    “It’s a shame [we didn’t qualify]. We came very close. I missed the last few games, we had several injuries. The month of July was very hard for us, we played every three days, we travelled. But we won a tournament which is important for the club and for what is coming next year.

    “I will train, I will play our upcoming match [against Charlotte FC] and I will try to get here [to the national team] in the best possible way for November. After that, I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina. It’s the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return again to do preseason. Start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always.”

  • Bellingham going for Messi, Ronaldo throne – Guti

    Bellingham going for Messi, Ronaldo throne – Guti

    Real Madrid great Guti admits he’s been won over by Jude Bellingham.

    Indeed, Guti feels Bellingham is making a play to become known as the best player in the world.

    He said on El Chiringuito: “Madrid fans love Bellingham so much because he did want to come to Real Madrid. After the controversy that there has been with another player.

    “Bellingham is playing some incredible games.

    “It was the throne of Vinicius, Mbappé, Haaland… But Bellingham is the only one who has realized that the throne of Messi and Cristiano is free… and he is going for it.”

  • Messi might go to Barcelona – Inter Miami coach

    Messi might go to Barcelona – Inter Miami coach

    Inter Miami coach Tata Martino says he’s unaware of talk of Leo Messi moving to Barcelona.

    Messi has been linked with a loan move to Barca with Inter Miami now out of the MLS playoffs.

    Martino said: “Messi to Barcelona? Not to go for a stroll, right?

    “Honestly, that surprises me. I know nothing about it. If you tell me that you are going to visit Barcelona on vacation, then yes, that is a possibility.

    “But to tell you the truth, I have no idea about any of this.”

  • W/Cup qualifier: Messi magic earns Argentina win over Ecuador

    W/Cup qualifier: Messi magic earns Argentina win over Ecuador

    Lionel Messi’s second-half goal gave Argentina a 1-0 home win over Ecuador on Thursday to get their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign off on the right foot.

    World champions Argentina were dominant in possession but frustrated in attack as they struggled to make the breakthrough.

    Captain Messi, however, continued the fine form he is showing with club side Inter Miami by scoring from a free kick after 77 minutes.

    “We played against a great team, with good players and physically strong.

    “Everyone always wants to beat Argentina and even more so now that we are the world champions. We can’t relax, we have to improve on what we’ve been doing.

    “The objective is to qualify for the World Cup again. We really enjoyed what we did but we have to look ahead,” Messi told reporters.

    Messi’s goal also tied him with close friend Luis Suarez of Uruguay as the all-time top scorer in the South American qualifying competition with 29.

    “It’s a pleasure for me that we are both there.

    “Given what the qualifiers mean for us in South American football, it’s a very nice thing for both of us,” Messi, who has now scored 104 international goals, said.

    Argentina will next play at Bolivia on Tuesday.

    In other qualifiers, Paraguay drew 0-0 with Peru while Colombia claimed a 1-0 home win over Venezuela.

    The first round of CONMEBOL qualifiers continues on Friday when Uruguay host Chile before Brazil take on Bolivia.

  • ‘Messi and I experienced tough time at PSG’ – Neymar

    ‘Messi and I experienced tough time at PSG’ – Neymar

    Al-Hilal Brazilian forward,  Neymar has noted  that he experienced “hell” alongside Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain.

    According to him, the two of them failed to “make history” in France.

    Both players left PSG this summer, with Messi signing for American clubide, Inter Miami as a free agent.

    Neymar joined Al-Hilal  in Saudi Pro League after spending  six years at PSG.

    He told Globo: “I was very happy for the year he had, but at the same time very sad because he lived on both sides of the coin, he went to heaven with the Argentina team, won everything in recent years, and with Paris, he lived hell.

    “We lived through hell, both he and I. We get upset because we’re not there for nothing, we’re there to do our best, be champions, try to make history. That’s why we started playing together again; we came together there so we could make history. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it.”

  • I’m shocked Messi didn’t join Saudi club – Ighalo

    I’m shocked Messi didn’t join Saudi club – Ighalo

    Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo has said he was shocked Lionel Messi did not join Saudi Arabi club, Al-Hilal.

    He revealed that Messi’s deal was part of the reasons his former club, Al-Hilal didn’t extend his contract.

    He also said Messi would have gotten twice of Al Nassr striker, Christiano Rolando’s salary if he had joined the Saudi club.

    Recalled the World Cup winner made a shock move to Major League Soccer side, Inter Miami last month after leaving PSG.

    Speaking in a recent interview with popular football journalist, Oma Akatugba: “I’m shocked Messi didn’t go to Saudi Arabia because it was part of the reasons my contract was not being extended [with Al-Hilal]. I thought it was a done deal.

    “The money they were offering him in Saudi [Arabia] was crazy. He was going to earn twice what Ronaldo was earning. I was shocked he didn’t go there. He chose Miami,” he said.

  • Inter Miami owner reveals details of Messi transfer, how much he will earn

    Inter Miami owner reveals details of Messi transfer, how much he will earn

    Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has detailed how they convinced Lionel Messi to join.

    The Argentine great chose to join Inter Miami ahead of offers from Al-Hilal and a return to Barcelona.

    Mas told El Pais, “In 2019 we started thinking about how we could bring him in. Messi can turn MLS into the second or third best league in the world. I think he comes with the desire to make a mark, and he can do that beyond football. When he retires he will have a stake in the club.”

    Mas said Messi’s contract will be worth “$50 or 60 million a year”.

    “I was there for three years. A year and a half, very intensely. Many conversations with Jorge (Leo’s father). I saw it was done at the end of May.

    “(David) Beckham was talking to Leo, only about football, because he was playing. I didn’t want him to feel under pressure. We spoke in Barcelona, Miami, Rosario, Doha…. I spent the whole World Cup in Qatar, watching Argentina.

    “The Apple contract was very important to close the deal.”

  • Gareth Bale advises Messi ahead of Inter Miami move

    Gareth Bale advises Messi ahead of Inter Miami move

    Former Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale has sought to offer advice to Lionel Messi about his move to MLS.

    The Barcelona icon is signing for Inter Miami after leaving PSG this month.

    Bale, who played last season with LAFC and won the MLS Cup, said: “It is a lot more chilled (in MLS). If you lose at Real Madrid, it is like the world has ended.

    “You are crucified. You feel down. You go home and you’re not happy.

    “They accept losing a bit more (in America). There is no consequence. You can’t get relegated over there.

    “When you lose a game you go on to the next one. They accept losing a lot better over there.

    “They know how to lose but they celebrate every win like you have won the championship. He will definitely enjoy it.”

  • Messi wanted to go back Barca but… – Tevez

    Messi wanted to go back Barca but… – Tevez

    Former Argentina international, Carlos Tevez says Lionel Messi was eager to return to Barcelona this summer.

    Messi will leave PSG at the end of the month to sign for Inter Miami.

    Tevez explained on ESPN, “Not being able to go back to Barcelona was terrible for him but he made a decision knowing and understanding his situation a bit.

    “He didn’t want to go back and force many of his teammates to change teams or reduce their salaries. He couldn’t go back and be the villain of the movie”.

    “Leo chose the United States because he likes Miami, it will be calm for him and his family. I think what he did was the most correct thing. If he couldn’t go back to Barcelona, he couldn’t stay in Europe.”

  • PSG confirms Messi is leaving club

    PSG confirms Messi is leaving club

    Argentina football great Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after Saturday’s final Ligue 1 match of the season against Clermont Foot, coach Christoph Galtier confirmed on Thursday.

    It has long been speculated that Messi would quit PSG when his two-year deal expired after being suspended by the recently-crowned French champions in early May.

    The suspension was for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia.

    “It’s his last game at the Parc des Princes,” Galtier told reporters. “I have had the privilege of coaching the best player in football history.”

    The coach said he hoped Messi would be given a good send-off.

    PSG ultras have booed the forward on occasions this season.

    The 35-year-old has been heavily linked in the media with Saudi club Al-Hilal.

    His great rival Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Saudi side Al-Nassr in January.

    Former club FC Barcelona, where Messi had spent his entire career before financial problems meant he joined PSG, have also shown interest in his return.

    But pundits say this is just a smokescreen to appease fans and the same financial constraints will prevent the Spanish champions from re-signing him.

    MLS side Inter Miami — part owned by David Beckham — have also been mentioned in the media as a possible destination.

    But Saudi Arabia looks the most likely option for Messi, who has made no recent comment about his future.

    He long ago said he would like to retire at Newell’s Old Boys in his Argentinian birthplace of Rosario, but there has been little movement on this front.

    Messi, who finally achieved his dream of winning the FIFA World Cup last year, wants to continue playing until at least the Copa America in June and July 2024 in the U.S.