Football

Lionel Messi's summer schedule is shaping up to be a whirlwind of international commitments and club obligations. The Argentine maestro will be a key figure for his country at the Copa America (June 20-July 14) and is rumored to be considering participation in the Paris Olympics (July 24-August 10).Adding to Messi's packed itinerary, Inter Miami, his current club, will compete in the Leagues Cup (July 26-August 25). The tournament pits MLS teams against Liga MX clubs, further complicating Messi's availability.Javier Mascherano, Messi's former Barcelona and Argentina teammate, provided an update on the star's potential Olympic involvement. "Lionel is aware that age is catching up with him," Mascherano told Tyc Sports. "He has to manage his workload because he has had a year of heavy activity."Mascherano emphasized that the invitation to the Olympics was extended to give Messi time to consider his options. "We believed it was necessary to extend this invitation so that he has the time to think it over and analyze it because he would have to leave his club," he said.Mascherano also commented on the possibility of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez joining the Olympic squad. "How could we not consider Dibu Martínez? We have the advantage of having the World Cup-winning team," he said. "Dibu is among the best goalkeepers in the world."However, Mascherano ruled out the inclusion of Ángel Di María, another former Argentina teammate. "Ángel appreciated the call, but he has no intention of going to Paris," he said. "We have ruled him out; he wants to give space to the younger players."Messi has previously won an Olympic gold medal in 2008, but his participation in Paris remains uncertain. He is expected to be a key player for Argentina in their Copa America title defense, as they aim to retain the trophy they won in 2021.

Inter Miami's star-studded lineup put on a dominant performance, crushing Orlando City 5-0 in their MLS encounter on Sunday. The match, held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, showcased the brilliance of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, who combined for four goals.Suarez opened the scoring with a sensational brace in the opening 11 minutes. His first goal came from a deflected shot off the crossbar, while his second was a clinical finish from close range. Robert Taylor extended Miami's lead to 3-0 in the 29th minute.The second half belonged to Messi, who mesmerized the crowd with two stunning goals in a six-minute span. His first goal was a fortunate deflection off the post, while his second was a towering header assisted by Suarez.Despite the impressive performance, Messi's night was marred by an unfortunate incident. After his brace, he attempted a free-kick that went wide and struck a baby girl in the stands. The incident left the toddler in tears.Speaking after the match, Messi expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance. "We're doing well, we're enjoying it, we're growing," he said. "Today was an important match to win, to continue on this path of growth and this has to make us very strong for everything that's to come."Inter Miami's victory was a testament to the quality of their squad. Suarez and Messi proved to be an unstoppable force, while the rest of the team provided solid support. The win keeps Miami in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.