Football

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.

Lionel Messi's global influence extends far beyond the realm of football, as evidenced by a remarkable incident involving a 90-year-old woman in Israel. Ester Cunio, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, found herself facing armed intruders who stormed her home. Amidst the chaos, Cunio's mention of Messi's name proved to be a life-saving intervention.The gunmen demanded information about Cunio's family, but she claimed to have limited Hebrew proficiency and spoke in Argentine Spanish. In an interview with Fuente Latina, Cunio recounted the encounter: "I told him not to talk to me because I didn't understand his language. The Arab language, and I speak poor Hebrew. I speak Argentinian Spanish, so he asks what Argentina is. Then I tell him, 'do you watch football?' He said he liked it and I told him I am from Messi's country."To Cunio's astonishment, the gunman expressed admiration for Messi and placed his arm on her shoulder. He handed her his gun and instructed her to make the peace sign, which was captured in a photograph. Cunio expressed her hope that Messi would see the image and assist in the release of her abducted grandchildren, David and Ariel.Messi's impact transcends sports, serving as a symbol of peace and unity. This incident highlights the profound influence he wields on a global scale, inspiring hope and fostering connections across cultural and linguistic barriers.

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.

Lionel Messi's napkin, a relic from his humble beginnings, is set to fetch a staggering sum at auction. The napkin, estimated to sell for between $380,000 and $635,000, bears the handwritten promise of a contract made to the 13-year-old Messi by FC Barcelona's sporting director, Carles Rexach.The napkin, which has been on display in New York, serves as a testament to Messi's extraordinary journey from a working-class family in Rosario, Argentina, to becoming one of the greatest footballers of all time. In 2000, Messi's talent caught the attention of Barcelona scouts, but the club's hesitation to sign him outright led to a protracted negotiation.On December 14, 2000, at a Barcelona tennis club, Rexach, under pressure from Messi's father, scribbled the promise on the napkin. The napkin became a placeholder agreement until a formal contract could be drawn up.Messi's subsequent career at Barcelona was nothing short of legendary. He won the Spanish league 10 times, becoming the club's all-time top scorer with 474 goals. His departure from Barcelona in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his legacy at the club remains unparalleled.The napkin, which has been kept by Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli for almost 25 years, is now being auctioned off. The sale has generated immense interest, with experts predicting it could sell for much more than the estimated price.The auction, which will run until March 27, will be held in New York, Paris, and London. The napkin is expected to attract bids from collectors and football enthusiasts alike, eager to own a piece of Messi's remarkable history.

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.

Lionel Messi, the legendary Argentine footballer, has been embroiled in a public relations crisis in China and Hong Kong following his absence from an exhibition match in Hong Kong on February 4. The incident sparked widespread disappointment and criticism, leading to the cancellation of two friendly matches in China and a barrage of negative comments on Chinese social media.In an attempt to address the controversy, Messi released a video message on Chinese social media platform Weibo on February 19, explaining his decision not to play in Hong Kong. He vehemently denied any political motivations behind his absence, stating that he had a legitimate groin injury that prevented him from participating in the match.Messi emphasized that he has a deep connection with China and its fans, having visited the country numerous times and expressing his admiration for its culture. He expressed regret for the disappointment caused by his absence and assured fans that he would never intentionally disrespect them.Despite Messi's apology, the damage to his reputation in China appears to be significant. The Global Times, a state-run newspaper, published an editorial suggesting that Messi's actions were politically motivated and aimed at embarrassing Hong Kong. This sentiment was echoed by many Chinese netizens, who expressed their anger and disappointment on social media.The fallout from the incident has resulted in the cancellation of two friendly matches involving Argentina in China. The sports bureau in Hangzhou canceled a match between Nigeria and Argentina, while the Beijing Football Association announced that the city had no plans to organize matches involving Messi.The organizer of the Hong Kong match, Tatler Asia, has apologized for the disappointment caused by Messi's absence and offered a 50% refund to ticket holders. The organizer stated that it would refund a total of 56 million Hong Kong dollars ($7.2 million), resulting in a loss of 43 million Hong Kong dollars ($5.5 million).Messi's attempt to address the PR disaster remains to be seen. It is unclear whether his apology will be enough to appease Chinese fans and restore his popularity in the country. The incident highlights the challenges faced by international athletes and celebrities when navigating the complex political and cultural landscape of China.