Football

Lionel Messi's injury scare during Argentina's Copa America 2024 triumph has cast a shadow over his return to Inter Miami. The Argentine maestro was forced off the field in tears during the final against Colombia, leaving his team in a precarious position. However, Lady Luck smiled upon Argentina as Lautaro Martinez's late winner secured a 1-0 victory and back-to-back Copa America titles.Fast forward to Wednesday night, Messi was back in the spotlight as he attended Inter Miami's 3-1 win over Toronto FC. The Argentine captain missed the match due to a ligament injury and was seen in the stands with his family, sporting a walking boot on his injured right ankle.Messi's absence will be a significant blow to Inter Miami, who are currently battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Head coach Tata Martino has stated that Messi's recovery will be evaluated on a weekly basis, leaving his return date uncertain."The club's medical report is out and the information is that regarding the times, it will surely be evaluated week by week," Martino said. "We are going to see just how his recovery is without taking any kind of risk."Messi's return will be crucial for Inter Miami's playoff hopes. The Argentine has been a key figure for the club since joining in 2023, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists in 28 appearances.Meanwhile, Messi has also been asked to apologize for racist chants made by Argentina's players after their Copa America triumph. Argentina's sports sub-secretary Julio Garro has called on Messi to issue an apology, stating that the chants "leave us as a country in a bad position."FIFA has also condemned the incident, stating that "FIFA strongly condemns any form of discrimination by anyone including players, fans and officials."

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine forward, is expected to miss at least the next two matches for his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami, due to an ankle injury sustained during the Copa America final.According to Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, Messi suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle during Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia on Sunday. The team's medical staff has assessed the injury and determined that Messi's availability will be evaluated on a regular basis as he undergoes rehabilitation.Messi's absence is a significant blow to Inter Miami, who are currently second in the Eastern Conference standings. The team is scheduled to host Toronto FC on Wednesday night and Chicago on Saturday night.The 37-year-old Messi was forced to leave the Copa America final in tears after going down in the 64th minute. He immediately signaled to the Argentina bench and remained on the ground for several minutes before removing his right boot and slowly walking off the field. Cameras later captured him on the bench with a visibly swollen right ankle.In an Instagram post on Monday, Messi expressed optimism about his recovery and stated his hope to return to action soon. However, the severity of his ankle injury remains unclear, and it is possible that he could miss additional matches beyond the next two.Messi's injury is a reminder of the physical toll that international football can take on players, especially those who are approaching the end of their careers. The Argentine maestro has played over 1,000 professional matches for club and country, and his body is showing signs of wear and tear.Despite his injury, Messi remains one of the most influential players in the world. His presence on the field inspires his teammates and captivates fans. Inter Miami will hope that Messi can recover quickly and return to action as soon as possible to help the team achieve its goals in the MLS.

Inter Miami's resilience was on full display as they overcame a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Montreal in Major League Soccer. Luis Suarez continued his impressive scoring form, netting his 11th league goal of the season.Montreal seized the early initiative, with Bryce Duke capitalizing on a defensive lapse to give them the lead. Jules-Anthony Vilsaint doubled their advantage with a composed finish. However, Miami refused to be deterred. Matias Rojas converted a free-kick in the absence of Lionel Messi, who had briefly left the field for treatment. Suarez then leveled the score just before halftime, bundling the ball home from close range.After the break, Miami emerged as a transformed team. Rojas's exquisite pass over the Montreal defense found Benjamin Cremaschi, who slotted home the winning goal. Despite late pressure from Montreal, Miami held firm to secure their eighth win in 13 games.In the Ohio derby, FC Cincinnati avenged their Eastern Conference final loss to Columbus Crew with a 2-1 victory. Luciano Acosta starred for Cincy, scoring both goals. Maximilian Arfsten's late strike proved to be a consolation for Columbus.Christian Benteke's hat-trick of headers propelled D.C. United to a 3-2 triumph over Atlanta. Luis Muriel's brace inspired Orlando City to a 3-2 win at Philadelphia Union. Joao Klauss scored twice as St. Louis defeated Chicago Fire 3-1 in the derby. Dallas edged Austin 2-1 in the Texas derby.

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi unleashed an unstoppable attacking force on Saturday, leading Inter Miami to a resounding 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. Suarez's hat-trick and Messi's record-breaking five assists propelled Inter to a dominant second-half performance, avenging their earlier defeat to the Red Bulls.After a lackluster first half, Inter's fortunes turned dramatically with the introduction of Matias Rojas. The Paraguayan substitute ignited the rout with a stunning goal just three minutes into the second half. Messi then took control, orchestrating Inter's attack with his trademark precision.Messi's five assists, a new MLS record, showcased his unparalleled vision and passing ability. He repeatedly found Suarez in dangerous positions, allowing the Uruguayan to showcase his clinical finishing. Suarez's hat-trick brought his season tally to 10 goals in 11 games, proving that his predatory instincts remain sharp despite his advancing age.Messi's influence extended beyond his assists. His telepathic understanding with Suarez, honed during their time together at Barcelona, allowed them to create scoring opportunities with ease. The Argentine maestro's through balls and incisive passes sliced through the Red Bulls defense, leaving them helpless.Inter's victory was a testament to the star power of Messi and Suarez. Their partnership, once feared by opponents around the world, has been rekindled in Miami, bringing joy to the club's fans and sending shockwaves through the MLS.

Lionel Messi's scoring prowess continues to shine in Major League Soccer (MLS), as the Argentine maestro netted a brace to lead Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday. The win extends Miami's winning streak to three games, with Messi contributing five goals during that run.Despite New England taking an early lead through Tomas Chancalay, Miami equalized through Messi's first goal in the 32nd minute. The 36-year-old then put Miami ahead in the 68th minute with a clinical finish after a superb pass from Sergio Busquets.Messi's influence continued in the final stages, as he assisted Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suarez for Miami's third and fourth goals, respectively. The victory sees Miami climb to the top of the Eastern Conference standings.Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino praised his team's performance, highlighting the importance of their recent win over Kansas City. "The Kansas City game was a key for us, because we had just been eliminated by Monterrey and the team showed their character," he said.New England coach Caleb Porter acknowledged Messi's brilliance, stating, "That's Messi. You have to look at both those moments because I thought they were able to find two goals when we felt pretty good about the way we were limiting their effectiveness in creating clear chances."Elsewhere in MLS, Christian Benteke scored twice for D.C. United in their 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Real Salt Lake moved to the top of the Western Conference with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union, while defending champions Columbus Crew were held to a goalless draw by Montreal.

Inter Miami's star-studded squad faced a brutal 4-0 thrashing at the hands of New York Red Bulls on Saturday, leaving coach Gerardo Martino fuming over his team's lack of desire and spirit.Despite the absence of injured superstar Lionel Messi, Miami's lineup boasted high-profile signings Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. However, they were outplayed from start to finish by a determined Red Bulls side.Former Inter player Lewis Morgan stole the show with a superb hat-trick, while Dante Vanzeir also contributed to New York's dominant performance. Miami, on the other hand, struggled to create any meaningful chances, with Suarez's curling shot in the first half their only notable attempt.Martino took responsibility for the loss but pointed the finger at his players, saying, "There is not much to say, except that we were outmatched from start to finish. Red Bulls had the desire to win and we had no desire to compete."He refused to blame Messi's absence, noting that the team had won without him last week. "The absence of the best player in the world is important for everyone, but last week with D.C. Leo didn't play either," Martino said.Morgan's brilliant performance was a major factor in Miami's downfall. The Scottish international opened the scoring after just three minutes and doubled the lead in the second half. He then assisted Vanzeir for New York's third goal and completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish.The win lifted New York to the top of the Eastern Conference alongside Columbus Crew and Miami. The Revs, meanwhile, earned their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Chicago Fire.

Inter Miami's star-studded duo, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, once again proved their dominance as they led their team to a resounding 3-1 victory over Nashville in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. The win secured a 5-3 aggregate triumph for the hosts in Florida.Suarez opened the scoring early on, capitalizing on a clever pass from Jordi Alba and a sensational through ball from Messi. The Argentine maestro doubled the lead 15 minutes later, receiving a pass from Diego Gomez and firing it home with precision.Inter Miami maintained their 2-0 advantage at halftime, and Robert Taylor extended their lead in the 63rd minute. Messi, who was substituted in the 50th minute, had already made his mark on the game.Nashville's consolation goal came in stoppage time through Sam Surridge, but it was too little, too late. The visitors had held Inter Miami to a 2-2 draw in the first leg, but the second leg proved to be a one-sided affair.Despite Messi's absence in the second half, Nashville struggled to create clear-cut chances. Drake Callender made a crucial save to deny Lukas MacNaughton, while Hany Mukhtar had a goal disallowed for offside.This was the fourth time Nashville had faced Messi since his arrival at Inter Miami. They had previously played to three draws, including a 10-9 penalty shootout victory for Miami in the 2023 Leagues Cup final. Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first penalty kick in that match, helping Miami secure their first trophy.

Inter Miami's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end on Sunday as they succumbed to a 2-3 home defeat against Montreal. The absence of talisman Lionel Messi, who was sidelined with a shin injury, proved costly for the hosts.Montreal took the lead in the first half through Fernando Alvarez's header. Inter Miami equalized in the 71st minute through Leonarda Campana, but their defense faltered, allowing Matias Coccaro and Sunusi Ibrahim to score in quick succession.Despite the setback, Inter Miami showed some resilience, with Jordi Alba scoring a consolation goal reminiscent of Messi's brilliance. Alba received the ball on the edge of the box and curled a shot into the top corner.Assistant coach Javier Morales explained Messi's absence, stating that the Argentine is eager to play every game. Head coach Tata Martino expressed disappointment with the team's defensive performance, despite believing they deserved to win.Messi is expected to return for Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Nashville. He will be keen to avoid fatigue and exhaustion ahead of the Copa America, where Argentina will defend their title.

Inter Miami's star-studded trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets played a pivotal role in their hard-fought 2-2 draw against Nashville FC in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 clash.Nashville dominated the first half, with Jacob Shaffelburg scoring a brace in the 4th and 46th minutes. However, Miami's fortunes changed in the second half as Messi and Suarez showcased their brilliance.In the 52nd minute, Suarez set up Messi just outside the Nashville box. The Argentine maestro used his trademark left foot to curl the ball past the goalkeeper, marking his first-ever CONCACAF goal.As the match entered injury time, Busquets delivered a pinpoint cross to Suarez, who headed home the equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time.Despite Nashville's strong start, Miami controlled the ball for much of the second half. However, coach Tata Martino acknowledged that his team's lack of intensity in the opening minutes of each half could have cost them the game.Nashville coach Gary Smith praised the intelligence and skill of Messi, Busquets, and Suarez, saying, "It's a completely different level of intelligence from the likes of Lionel Messi and Busquets and Suárez. Completely different level."The second leg of the tie will be played in Miami on March 15th, with Inter Miami needing a win or a draw with more than two goals to advance to the quarterfinals.