Football

Diego Rossi's second-half heroics propelled the reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew to a thrilling 3-2 victory over defending champion Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup round of 16 on Tuesday. The Uruguayan forward's brace overturned a 2-0 deficit, sending the Crew into the quarter-finals against New York City.Inter Miami, led by the absent Lionel Messi, took an early lead through Matias Rojas and doubled their advantage with Diego Gomez's goal. However, Christian Ramirez's strike in the 67th minute ignited the Crew's comeback. Rossi equalized in the 69th minute and sealed the victory with a decisive goal in the 80th.In other quarter-final matchups, New York City rallied from a goal down to defeat Tigres 2-1, with Santiago Rodriguez scoring the winning goal. Philadelphia Union overcame Cincinnati 4-2, with Tai Baribo netting a brace. Mazatlan advanced to the quarter-finals after a penalty shootout victory over Cruz Azul.The quarter-final fixtures are set for Saturday, with the Crew hosting New York City, Philadelphia Union facing Mazatlan, and the winner of Toluca vs. Colorado taking on either Club America or St. Louis. San Jose will travel to Los Angeles FC, with the winner visiting Seattle.

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's Leagues Cup knockout match against reigning MLS champion Columbus on Tuesday due to an ongoing right ankle injury. Messi sustained the injury during Argentina's Copa America final victory over Colombia a month ago and has not yet resumed training with his Miami teammates.The Leagues Cup is a tournament featuring MLS and Liga MX Mexican clubs, with Messi playing a pivotal role in Miami's inaugural title triumph last year. The showdown between Columbus, the 2022 MLS champions, and Miami, the current league leaders, is one of eight matches scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to determine the quarter-final pairings on Friday and Saturday.The round of 16 kicks off on Monday with the Seattle Sounders hosting Mexico's Pumas, a team they defeated in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League final. Other knockout matches on Tuesday include Philadelphia at Cincinnati, Cruz Azul against Mazatlan, Tigres against New York City, Toluca at Colorado, Club America at St. Louis, and San Jose at Los Angeles FC.Messi's absence is a significant blow to Inter Miami's hopes of retaining their Leagues Cup title. The 35-year-old forward has been in impressive form this season, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in 19 MLS appearances.Despite Messi's injury, Inter Miami remain confident in their ability to overcome Columbus and advance to the quarter-finals. The team has a strong squad featuring experienced players such as Gonzalo Higuaín, Blaise Matuidi, and Kieran Gibbs.The Leagues Cup provides a unique opportunity for MLS and Liga MX clubs to compete against each other in a meaningful tournament. The competition has grown in popularity since its inception in 2019 and is expected to attract a large audience this year.

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, is currently enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Florida with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and Inter Miami teammate, Luis Suarez. The trio has been spotted on a boat, soaking up the sun and sharing smiles for the camera.Messi's vacation comes after Argentina's triumph at the Copa America 2024, where he played a pivotal role in securing the team's third consecutive major title. However, the 37-year-old is still recovering from a right ankle injury sustained during the final match against Colombia.Due to the injury, Messi will miss Wednesday's Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game, along with Suarez, who is experiencing knee discomfort. The MLS roster for the match against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars has been updated to reflect their absence.Inter Miami has provided details on the injuries, stating that Messi is still sidelined after missing two MLS matches last week. Suarez, who recently returned from international duty, will also sit out the All-Star Game due to knee discomfort.This would have been Messi's first MLS All-Star appearance since joining Inter Miami last July. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been instrumental in Miami's success, leading them to the inaugural Leagues Cup crown last year.However, Messi and Suarez's availability for Saturday's home match against Mexico's Puebla remains uncertain. Inter Miami has stated that their status will be determined by their "daily recovery process."Despite the injuries, Messi remains a key figure for Inter Miami and Argentina. His presence on the field has been a major boost for both teams, and fans eagerly await his return to action.

Lionel Messi and Argentina have once again proven their dominance in international football, securing their second consecutive Copa America title with a thrilling extra-time victory over Colombia. The triumph marks a significant milestone for the Argentine team, drawing comparisons to the legendary Spanish squad that reigned supreme from 2008 to 2012.Despite Messi's absence due to an injury in the second half, Argentina showcased their resilience and determination, thriving without their talismanic captain. Lautaro Martinez's extra-time goal sealed the victory, sending the Argentine fans into raptures.The win has reignited the debate over the greatest of all time (GOAT) between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. While Ronaldo and Portugal faltered in the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals, Messi's Argentina have continued to soar, adding the Copa America title to their World Cup triumph in 2022.Angel Di Maria, Messi's former Real Madrid teammate, weighed in on the GOAT debate, stating, "The best is the one who has more Ballons d'Or, and Messi has eight. For me, therefore there is some distance between him and Cristiano."Meanwhile, Messi is currently sidelined with a ligament injury. He was spotted in the stands during Inter Miami's victory over Toronto FC, wearing a walking boot on his right ankle. Head coach Tata Martino provided an update on Messi's condition, indicating that his recovery will be evaluated week by week.Argentina's Copa America triumph has further cemented their status as one of the most formidable teams in the world. With Messi at the helm, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, where they will aim to defend their title and etch their names in the annals of football history.

Lionel Messi, the undisputed maestro of football, has etched his name in the annals of the sport with an unparalleled career that has embodied excellence like no other. From his humble beginnings in Rosario, Argentina, to his global stardom, Messi's journey has been a testament to his unwavering determination and extraordinary talent.Messi's international career has been a rollercoaster of emotions, marked by both triumph and heartbreak. After a disappointing 2016 Copa America final loss, Messi announced his retirement from international football, sending shockwaves through the world of football. However, the outpouring of support from fans and the realization of his unfinished business with Argentina led to his return.In 2021, Messi led Argentina to their first Copa America title in 28 years, breaking a long-standing drought. The following year, he guided his team to the pinnacle of football, winning the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Messi's performances in both tournaments were nothing short of magical, as he showcased his exceptional skills and leadership qualities.The 2024 Copa America saw Messi and Argentina defend their title, making it an incredible three-in-three in international competitions. Messi's contributions were once again pivotal, as he surpassed Ali Daei as the second-highest international goal-scorer in history.Messi's legacy extends far beyond his individual achievements. He has inspired a generation of young players and has become a symbol of hope and pride for Argentinians. His unwavering determination, coupled with his exceptional talent, has made him one of the greatest players to ever grace the beautiful game.

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.

Lionel Messi's Copa America triumph was bittersweet as he was forced to exit the final early due to an ankle injury. The 37-year-old superstar, who had been hoping to play in his sixth World Cup in 2026, was visibly distraught as he left the pitch in the 64th minute.Despite the pain, Messi's tears revealed a deeper anguish. He had won the Copa, but his dream of playing in another World Cup was slipping away. The injury, which he sustained in the second group match against Chile, had hampered him throughout the tournament.Messi's absence was felt in the final, as Argentina struggled to break down a resilient Colombia side. However, the team showed its resilience and determination, eventually winning 1-0 in extra time.The victory marked Argentina's second consecutive Copa America title, but it was a bittersweet moment for Messi. He celebrated his triumph with a limp, and the injury still lingered on Monday.Messi's future with the national team is now uncertain. He has not ruled out playing in the 2026 World Cup, but his age and fitness will be major factors in his decision.If Messi does retire from international football, he will leave behind a legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. He has won countless trophies with Argentina and Barcelona, and he has inspired a generation of young players.However, Argentina has a bright future, even without Messi. The team has a number of talented young players, such as Alejandro Garnacho, Valentín Carboni, and Thiago Almada, who can help the team remain competitive in the years to come.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma's iconic slow-walk celebration, inspired by Argentine football legend Lionel Messi, has become a popular gesture in the sporting world. After Messi's memorable celebration following Argentina's FIFA World Cup triumph in 2022, Rohit recreated the moment after India's T20 World Cup victory last year.Now, Messi has once again performed the slow-walk celebration, this time after Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in the Copa America final on Monday. However, this time, Messi shared the spotlight with Angel Di Maria and Nicolas Otamendi, who lifted the trophy alongside him.Argentina's Copa America triumph marks their third consecutive major tournament victory, following their 2021 Copa America and 2022 FIFA World Cup wins. This achievement makes them the first South American team to accomplish this feat.The victory was particularly special for Di Maria, who announced his retirement from international football after the match. "I dreamed it, I dreamed that I retired like this," he said. "I have so many beautiful feelings. I am eternally grateful to this generation that made me achieve what I sought so much."Messi's latest triumph adds to his already impressive collection of 45 team accolades, making him the most decorated player in football history. The World Champions dominated the Copa America tournament, topping Group A and defeating Ecuador, Canada, and Colombia en route to the title.