Tag: Lionel Messi

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has provided a positive update on the fitness of their star player, Lionel Messi, ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 on Friday.

According to Scaloni, Messi has taken a step forward in his injury recovery and could play a few minutes in Argentina’s upcoming friendlies before their World Cup opener.

“Leo is doing well; he has already trained partly with the group, he’s no longer completely separated,” Scaloni said. “It’s possible he’ll play a few minutes in the friendlies. We’ll see whether that’s tomorrow’s game or the other one.”

Defending World Cup champions Argentina will take on Honduras in College Station, Texas, on Saturday and play Iceland on Tuesday in Auburn, Alabama.

“He’s much better, and that gives us peace of mind,” Scaloni said.

The medical staff of the Argentine national team has plenty of work, starting with their star Messi, who suffered a strain in his left hamstring in Inter Miami’s last match and was not expected to play against Honduras.

Scaloni also confirmed that goalkeeper Juan Musso, of Atletico Madrid, will start the game against Honduras at Kyle Field, given that his first-choice keeper, Emiliano Martinez, suffered a fracture in the ring finger of his right hand during the warm-up for the Europa League final.

Team medical staff has decided to hold him out of both friendlies, although Martinez should be available for the opener against Algeria.

Scaloni will also give minutes to debutant Santiago Beltran, the young River Plate goalkeeper called up for the friendlies.

In defense, right backs Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are recovering from muscle tears, and the coaching staff has called up Agustin Giay and Nicolas Capaldo to replace them in the friendlies.

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Centre-back Cristian Romero is already training with the group after the knee sprain he suffered in April, although he comes in without match fitness.

Lionel Scaloni will have to decide whether to give him minutes or wait a few more days. Another case drawing scrutiny is that of Nicolas Paz, who is training separately after taking a heavy hit to his knee.

He has been ruled out for the Honduras game and will be cutting it close for the World Cup debut. Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez also arrived at Argentina’s camp in Kansas with physical issues.

Although they are improving, it is uncertain whether they will get any playing time in the warm-up matches.

“The situation is improving,” Scaloni said. “They’re fine, and we don’t want to risk them in these games, and the idea is surely that (the injured players) won’t take part in these friendlies.

“In this one (against Honduras), definitely not,” he added. “In the second, there might be a chance that one of them could play.”

Scaloni said the coming week will show “exactly where we stand.”

“For now everything is going quite well, and next week we’ll see,” he said.

Argentina are set to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi of Argentina was among the first 11 players named on Friday to the MLS squad for next month’s MLS All-Star Game at Charlotte, North Carolina.

The MLS lineup, including at least five players competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026, will face a star-studded squad from the Mexican league on July 29.

The MLS “First XI” was chosen in a combined vote of players, fans and media and includes five players on World Cup rosters, Messi, South Korean Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, Americans Tim Ream of Charlotte, Sebastian Berhalter of Vancouver and South African Mbekezeli Mbokazi of Chicago.

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Others in the first batch of MLS All-Stars include goalkeeper Brian Schwake of Nashville, defensive backs Anthony Markanich of Minnesota United and Honduran Andy Najar of Nashville, midfielders Zavier Gozo of Real Salt Lake and German Hany Mukhtar of Nashville, plus Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers of Chicago.

Mbokazi became the second South African selected to an MLS All-Star squad after Doctor Khumalo in 1996, while Son was the second South Korean named an MLS All-Star after national team coach and former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Hong Myung-bo in 2003.

The final MLS Lineup will also include 13 players chosen by MLS All-Star coach Dean Smith of host Charlotte and two chosen by MLS commissioner Don Garber.

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Lionel Messi was at the centre of an injury scare just weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday after abruptly exiting Inter Miami’s Major League Soccer (MLS) clash against the Philadelphia Union.

Argentina superstar Messi was substituted in the 73rd minute at a rain-soaked Nu Stadium in Miami after clutching the back of his left leg and requesting to come off.

The 38-year-old icon appeared to be walking normally as he headed straight down the tunnel after exiting the game, which Miami went on to win 6-4.

Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game it was too early to determine if Messi was injured, and suggested the Argentine’s substitution was precautionary due to the pitch conditions.

“As far as I know, we don’t have a (medical) report on that yet, but we will have one shortly,” Hoyos said after the game when asked for details of Messi’s condition.

“He was genuinely suffering from fatigue in that regard; it is indeed fatigue. He was tired; the pitch was heavy, and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don’t take any risks.”

Messi’s Inter Miami team-mate Mateo Silvetti was unable to shed any light on his compatriot’s condition.

“I’m just as in the dark as everyone else,” Silvetti said. “At that moment, we were all focused on the match. I didn’t know if it was an injury or if he was simply tired.

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“We’re hoping it turns out to be nothing serious. Given his mindset and everything else, we’re going to wish him the very best.”

Messi has carefully managed his workload since joining Inter Miami in 2023, with team staff regularly excusing him from games during particularly congested fixture periods.

He has spent multiple stints on the sidelines in the past few years due to problems with his hamstring, which caused him to miss parts of Miami’s pre-season campaign earlier this year.

Any significant injury to the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner, though, would deal a huge blow to Argentina’s hopes of defending their World Cup crown in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament kicks off in Mexico City on June 11, with Argentina due to play their opening game against Algeria in Kansas City five days later.

Inter Miami’s game on Sunday was the last before MLS takes a break ahead of the World Cup.

Messi has not formally confirmed he plans to play in the World Cup, but is widely expected to return for what will be a record-equalling sixth appearance at the finals.

Argentina’s squad is due to be named next week, and the South American giants will head to the United States shortly afterwards for pre-World Cup friendlies against Honduras in Texas on June 6, followed by a game against Iceland on June 9.

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Lionel Messi struck a goal and a dazzling assist to finally earn Inter Miami a first win at their new stadium Sunday, beating the Portland Timbers 2-0.

The 38-year-old Argentine icon confounded the Timbers’ defence all night long in a timely reminder of the danger he still poses at the World Cup, which kicks off in less than a month.

Messi struck first, starting and finishing a slick team goal for the defending Major League Soccer champions on the half-hour mark.

Messi laid off the ball to Luis Suarez, who found Telasco Segovia with a through ball. Segovia’s instinctive backheel landed back at the feet of Messi, who swept it into the far corner from close range.

Ten minutes later, fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul romped up the right flank, finding Messi, who played a one-two with Suarez.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or-winner then slalomed his way into the box, through four defenders, before using the outside of his left foot to tee up German Berterame for a tap-in.

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Messi missed chances to add to his tally in a slower and goalless second half, curling a left-foot strike from outside the box just inches wide of the post.

And he nearly added a stunning free kick deep into stoppage time, denied by a superb James Pantemis save, who dove at full stretch and barely tipped the ball away from the top corner.

It was the fifth home game at the gleaming, purpose-built Nu Stadium, which was opened to great fanfare last month.

Until now, the 27,000-capacity arena had witnessed three frustrating draws and a humiliating Miami collapse from 3-0 up to lose 4-3 to Orlando City.

Despite their recent struggles at home, the win sends Inter Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference, one point clear of Nashville SC, who have two games in hand.

The World Cup, being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, kicks off June 11.

Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, who lifted the trophy with Argentina at the last edition, in Qatar, is set to become the first player to appear in six different World Cups.

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Argentina captain Lionel Messi has voiced his support for former Barcelona and PSG teammate Neymar, insisting the Brazilian star still deserves a place in Brazil’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 despite ongoing injury and fitness concerns.

Neymar, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 international goals, has not represented the national side since suffering a serious knee injury in October 2023.

Since returning to Santos FC last year, the 33-year-old has struggled to regain rhythm and consistency.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, has repeatedly kept the door open for Neymar’s return and recently stated that the forward still has time to prove his fitness ahead of the tournament.

Speaking on the Lo del Pollo show, Messi stressed that players of Neymar’s calibre should always be considered for football’s biggest stage.

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“We want the best players to be there and Neymar, no matter his form, will always be one of them,” Messi said. “It would be wonderful to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to football.”

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also named Brazil among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup, alongside reigning champions Argentina, as well as Spain and France.

“I still believe Brazil is always a contender and has the players necessary to compete for the title in any major tournament,” he added.

Messi, who famously guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is expected to feature in what could be his final appearance at the global event.

The FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States of America (USA), Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on June 11.

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Lionel Messi will start for Argentina in a friendly against Zambia on Tuesday in what is the reigning world champions’ final game on home soil before they defend their FIFA World Cup crown.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Messi, who began on the bench for Friday’s lacklustre 2-1 win over Mauritania, will spearhead what is expected to be a full-strength side against Zambia.

“Messi will be in the starting lineup tomorrow,” Scaloni said.

Messi, 38, has not formally confirmed whether he plans to play in the 2025 World Cup, but he played a full part in Argentina’s qualification campaign for the finals.

Scaloni indicated that he expects Messi to be part of his squad for what would be the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s sixth World Cup appearance.

“The important thing is that he comes and enjoys being at a World Cup — which, theoretically, will be his last,” Scaloni said of Messi. “We want him to enjoy it, because later on, you really miss playing in events like these.”

Scaloni said Messi on Tuesday will be surrounded by the established core of the team, which topped South American qualifying, and that will start the World Cup among the favourites for the title.

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“Most of the players we know well will be playing. This will be the final test,” Scaloni said.

“Later, we’ll make some changes to take a look at some of the younger guys, but the idea is to field our most familiar lineup,” he said, emphasising that Friday’s scrappy win over Mauritania was not representative of his squad.

“I am convinced that the team’s performance level is not what we saw the other day,” Scaloni said. “If we see that the team isn’t quite there, we’ll look for other options. But they deserve a vote of confidence.”

Scaloni has already submitted a preliminary 55-player list to the Argentina Football Association, with the final 26-man squad to be confirmed at the end of May.

“I have the list pretty well figured out, but if performance levels aren’t up to par, we’ll take measures to ensure we bring the absolute best squad possible; we are striving for something as close to perfection as we can get,” he said.

“The players who have been with us for a while hold a slight advantage simply because we know them well; however, they have to maintain that advantage — and everyone knows what happened the other day (against Mauritania) cannot be repeated.”

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Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.

Messi was at the forefront as Miami players, coach Javier Mascherano, and team co-owner Jorge Mas flanked Trump, who opened proceedings with comments on military action in the Middle East.

But he soon got down to the team’s 2025 exploits and rememiniscences of Brazilian icon Pele’s 1970s stint with the New York Cosmos and its electrifying effect on soccer in the United States.

“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said. “I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”

The players came bearing gifts for Trump, including a No. 47 jersey from the team’s signature pink kit, reflecting his status as the nation’s 47th president.

From Trump, there were shout-outs to Miami’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, rising star Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul, and a subtle dig at former president Joe Biden.

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“It’s my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before: Welcome to the White House, Lionel,” Trump said, an oblique reference to the fact Messi did not attend the ceremony when Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025.

“I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports,” Trump said. “They come to the Yankees, or they come to the Dodgers… and there’s such a clamour.

“Everything’s great, but they don’t win. This guy won,” he said with a gesture toward Messi.

“Leo, you came in, and you won. There’s a lot more pressure put on you than anyone would know because you’re sort of expected to win,” Trump added.

Trump’s rundown of Miami’s 2025 achievements included not only their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final but also their 2-1 victory over Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, which marked the first time a North American team had beaten a European one in an official competition.

In accepting Trump’s congratulations, Mas, the son of Cuban immigrants, said Miami’s rise since its 2020 inaugural season was based on the philosophy that “if you work hard and you sacrifice and you dream, it can be possible.”

Inter Miami’s global success is “not only because of Lionel Messi, but these men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” Mas said. “We can play with the big boys.”

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Son Heung-min bested Lionel Messi in the battle of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) global superstars, spearheading a comfortable 3-0 win for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) over Inter Miami on the US league’s opening weekend.

The South Korean, already beloved in California as he embarks on his first full season, set up a first-half strike for David Martinez, before Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz sealed victory.

Leading the Black-and-Gold’s potent attacking trio with Bouanga and Martinez, Son cantered through the centre of Miami’s defence all night, raucously cheered by some 76,000 fans, the second-largest attendance in MLS history.

The Saturday night game had been moved to the cavernous Memorial Coliseum to accommodate the demand for MLS’s two best-known players, with commissioner Don Garber boasting the league could have sold out LAFC’s usual stadium “five times.”

But for those who poured in to see eight-time Ballon d’Or-winner Messi, there were slim pickings, as the tightly marked 38-year-old failed to get a shot on target despite Miami dominating possession.

LAFC started brightly, allowing Miami plenty of the ball but attacking swiftly on the break.

Gabonese star Bouanga looked particularly dangerous, playing through Son for an early one-on-one. But the South Korean could not get a shot away, running it wide to the keeper’s right.

At the other end, Lionel Messi, who has had limited training opportunities since picking up a hamstring strain in a friendly two weeks ago, looked off the pace.

The Argentine great repeatedly lost possession, and as the frustration built, LAFC struck.

With Rodrigo De Paul robbed on the centre circle, the ball fell to Son, who was given too much time by backpedalling Miami defenders.

He slid the ball out to the right to Martinez. The young Venezuelan curled it round the keeper with a first-time shot, inside the back post.

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Moments later, Messi’s first genuine chance from the edge of the box flashed inches wide.

Miami came out after the break with more aggression, and Messi briefly pulled the strings, firing another shot just over the crossbar.

Around the hour mark, the World Cup winner collided face-first with the back of Ryan Porteous and was down on the ground for a minute or so, but clambered back up to the relief of his team and nation.

LAFC were happy to soak up the pressure. And their patience was soon rewarded.

Timothy Tillman played a giant, looping through ball from deep in his own half to Bouanga, who headed it over the rushing keeper, rounded him and knocked it into the net.

Son Heung-min should have had another assist, pulling it back from the touchline to Bouanga, who this time could not latch on to the opportunity.

The South Korean was hooked moments later, looking frustrated to be hauled off with just minutes remaining despite the hearty applause.

His replacement, Ordaz, put the game to rest, slotting in from a mazy run down the left and a low cross by Bouanga.

The game served as a suitably splashy start for a hugely important MLS season that will be split in two by the 2026 World Cup, which takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

World Cup host countries typically see boosts for their domestic leagues, and MLS bosses are determined to keep US eyeballs on the planet’s biggest sport long after national teams have returned home.

Speaking to AFP at half-time, MLS commissioner Gerber said the league will splash “tens of millions” of dollars on its biggest ever marketing effort, to harness the upcoming huge spike in soccer interest.

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Lionel Messi has voted in favour of former Barcelona teammate Ousmane Dembele for the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award, it has been revealed following the release of official voting details by world football’s governing body.

FIFA published the ballots of national team captains, coaches and selected media representatives from each member association after the awards ceremony in Doha, where Dembele was crowned the 2025 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and France forward finished ahead of Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, with Kylian Mbappe placing third.

Messi, who had previously won the award, named Mbappe as his second choice, while opting for Yamal, the teenager who had inherited his iconic Barcelona No. 10 shirt, as his third pick.

Dembele’s triumph capped a remarkable season in which he played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic campaign.

Under Luis Enrique, the French winger enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career, scoring 35 goals across all competitions, including 21 in Ligue 1 to finish as the league’s top scorer.

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His standout performances were central to PSG’s maiden UEFA Champions League title, highlighted by a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final.

The Paris club also completed a historic continental treble, becoming the first French side to win the Champions League, domestic league and main domestic cup in the same season, before going on to reach the Club World Cup final.

Dembele’s stellar year had already been recognised earlier when he won the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or, edging out Yamal, who finished second, while PSG midfielder Vitinha placed third.

The award made Dembele the first French player to claim the Ballon d’Or since Karim Benzema in 2022.

Lionel Messi was among those to publicly congratulate Ousmane Dembele following his Ballon d’Or success, further underlining the respect he commands among football’s elite.

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MUMBAI: Legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt message on social media following an unforgettable meeting with Argentina’s FIFA World Cup-winning superstar Lionel Messi at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, arrived in Mumbai earlier in the day as part of his GOAT India Tour 2025, with the city’s stop emerging as the centrepiece of his visit.

The atmosphere at Wankhede in the evening was electric, as chants of “Messi, Messi” rang around the stadium when the Argentine great walked out alongside Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul.

The reception reached another level when Tendulkar, Mumbai’s own sporting icon, joined Messi on the field, triggering thunderous applause from the packed stands.

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The moment symbolised a rare convergence of greatness, with both legends synonymous with the iconic No.10 jersey and celebrated for redefining excellence in their respective sports.

Tendulkar presented Messi with his India No.10 jersey from the historic 2011 World Cup triumph, a gesture that drew loud cheers from fans.

Soon after the meeting, Tendulkar took to his official X account to share his joy.

“Must say, today was a 10/10 day Leo Messi 😉,” Tendulkar wrote, alongside a picture of him handing over his No.10 Team India jersey to the football icon.

Must say, today was a 10/10 day Leo Messi 😉 pic.twitter.com/L6AaYY1PdL

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 14, 2025

Beyond the star-studded exchange, Messi and his teammates also spent time on the pitch with young girls from Maharashtra’s grassroots football initiative, Project Mahadeva.

The budding footballers shared a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they passed the ball around with Messi watching closely and joining in.

The celebrations continued as Messi and his teammates took turns kicking footballs into the crowd, each effort drawing louder roars from the stands.

Project Mahadeva was later officially unveiled by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis alongside Messi, with the Chief Minister thanking the Argentine star for inspiring the next generation and expressing hope that these young players would one day feature in a FIFA World Cup.

Actor Tiger Shroff, who is associated with the initiative, was also present and met Messi on the field.

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