Tag: inter miami

Messi looking forward to Copa América: ‘I don’t want to think about’ retirement

“I want to continue enjoying playing, I have the luck to do a job that I love”

Don’t ask Lionel Messi about retirement.

The Inter Miami star, speaking to the “Soñé que Volaba” show on the Olga YouTube channel, said that he is focusing on the present moment and enjoying his life rather than any thoughts of a career off the field.

“I didn’t think (about retirement),” said Messi on his summer decision to leave Paris Saint-Germain for south Florida. “I don’t want to think about it either, because I want to continue enjoying what I do. I took an important step by leaving Europe and coming here, and I don’t want to continue thinking about the next step.

“I want to continue enjoying playing. I have the luck to do a job that I love and, although I have responsibilities and objectives, it is still something that I enjoy.”

Whenever Messi decides to hang his boots up, he says he doesn’t plan on going too far away from the pitch.

“What I am going to do? I don’t know. I like everything related to football,” said Messi. “I like being with kids, teaching, [but could be a] sporting director also.”

Messi has unsurprisingly taken MLS by storm, producing 11 goals and five assists in just 12 appearances since joining Miami this summer. The Herons have already lifted a trophy, with Messi starring as the club claimed the 2023 Leagues Cup, and are somehow still in the mix for an MLS playoff spot despite being eight points adrift before the Argentine icon arrived.

That said, a heavy schedule may put those hopes on ice. Messi was given a game off last weekend, yet had to leave Wednesday’s home win over Toronto FC with what manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino maintained was just “muscular fatigue.”

Messi at the 2026 World Cup? ‘We will see’

Messi had previously said that a triumphant 2022 World Cup would be his last. A few months later, though, and now the legend isn’t so sure.

“I do think about the Copa América,” said Messi, who said that he’s looking forward to the 2024 tournament, which will be held in the United States. “It will be nice because the Centenario match that we played here was very nice. Although we lost the final, we enjoyed the process a lot.

“After the Copa América we will see, it depends on how I feel… We have to see how I feel. I will see how I feel day-by-day, there are three years left [on his Miami contract].”

Messi added that he hasn’t spent much time pondering whether he’s a lesser player than he was while starring with Barcelona, but admitted that Father Time remains undefeated.

“I don’t think about if I’m lowering my level, I…play as always,” said Messi. “But there is a reality: I’m older, a thousand games behind me, and time passes for everyone.”

[lawrence-related id=28801,28693,28540]

Messi and Alba leave Inter Miami win early, will miss next match

The star pair each left Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Toronto FC in the first half

Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba both departed Wednesday’s win over Toronto FC in the first half, and have been ruled out for Miami’s next match on Sunday against Orlando City.

The Argentine superstar trudged off in the 37th minute of the match at DRV PNK Stadium, with Robert Taylor replacing him. The Herons would go on to win 4-0, with all four goals coming after both players exited.

The reason for Messi’s exit was not readily apparent. The Barcelona legend attempted to play a through ball for teammate Josef Martínez that was intercepted, and slowed measurably in the aftermath. After a few moments of slowly walking as Miami dropped into a defensive shape, Messi put his hands on his knees and stopped moving.

Within seconds, the ball went out, with Messi immediately walking to DeAndre Yedlin to hand over the captain’s armband before leaving the match.

Furthering the club’s worries, Alba was substituted three minutes earlier than Messi.

After the game, head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino admitted that taking Messi and Alba off “wasn’t part of the plan,” but added that the duo hadn’t sustained any new issues and were not suffering from any muscular injuries.

“They trained normally and we felt like they were ready to play. I don’t believe it’s anything new or anything worse than what they have. It’s fatigue. I don’t think it’s a muscular injury,” Martino said.

The coach added that both Messi and Alba would miss Sunday’s league match against Orlando City.

Messi missed Miami’s last game on Saturday with what Martino called  “muscular fatigue” following the international break. During that window, Messi played in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador, but did not step on the field for a 3-0 victory at Bolivia.

Timing couldn’t be worse for Miami

Messi and Alba’s health issues are coming at a particularly rough time for Miami, which is chasing a playoff spot and a U.S. Open Cup title.

Miami has six games to go in the club’s immensely difficult pursuit of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Herons currently sit five points behind D.C. United, who hold the ninth and final postseason berth at the moment.

On top of that, Miami has a shot at its second trophy since Messi’s arrival coming up, with the U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo on September 27.

[lawrence-related id=28693,28571,28414]

Netflix to release four-part Beckham documentary in October

Prepare to see the soccer icon like you’ve never seen him before

Prepare to see David Beckham like you’ve never seen him before.

Netflix has announced a four-part documentary series on the soccer icon — naturally titled “Beckham” — will be released on October 4.

The series will trace Beckham’s upbringing, a club career that included stops at Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, PSG and the LA Galaxy, along with his England career, relationship with his wife Victoria, and more.

Beckham now serves as the co-owner of Inter Miami, which recently pulled off one of the biggest coups in MLS history by signing Lionel Messi.

“The definitive multi-part series will go beyond the shine of stardom to explore Beckham’s humble working class beginnings in East London, and the drive and determination that led him to become one of the most recognizable and scrutinized athletes of all time,” Netflix said in a statement.

The series will feature interviews with Victoria Beckham, a host of legends from Real Madrid and Manchester United, including Eric Cantona and Sir Alex Ferguson, as well as Beckham’s parents.

“Beckham” will be led by Academy Award–winner Fisher Stevens (Palmer, And We Go Green, The Cove), who serves as director and executive producer, and will also be produced by Academy Award– and Emmy Award–winner John Battsek (One Day in September, Searching for Sugar Man, Winter on Fire).

Watch the ‘Beckham’ Netflix trailer

[lawrence-related id=23320,9569,25595]

Callender: Messi ‘just wants to be one of the guys’

“I just did my best to help him feel welcome. I tried not to fanboy or anything”

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender has praised Lionel Messi’s humility, saying the Argentine superstar “just wants to be one of the guys” at his new club.

Messi has transformed Inter Miami since his July arrival, with the club going on a 12-game unbeaten run that was snapped last weekend after a 5-2 defeat to Atlanta United — a game Messi sat out.

The Argentina legend has been on an individual tear as well, scoring 11 goals in the 11 games he’s played so far with Inter Miami. Despite Messi’s status as an all-time great, Callender said that his new teammate has simply tried to be a normal member of the team since his arrival.

“He’s a great teammate. He’s kind of shy and, you know, soft-spoken. I always have to think that this guy is coming to a whole new league, a whole new country. He’s probably trying to get settled. Everything is new for him, you know?” Callender told U.S. Soccer’s website ahead of next week’s U.S. Open Cup final against Houston.

“So I just did my best to help him feel welcome. I tried not to fanboy or anything and I think we’ve developed your pretty average standard teammate relationship.

“I see his dedication to the sport and to this team. In the short time he’s been with us, he’s really bought into what we’re trying to do and he’s made some great contributions on the field and off. He just wants to be one of the guys, you know? He wants to be one of our teammates and he’s very humble and that’s something that I respect a lot.”

Callender has been on a rapid rise himself, going from a third-stringer in Miami to one of the best goalkeepers in MLS and now a three-time U.S. men’s national team call-up.

The 25-year-old said that he’s learned a lot from his USMNT camps as he looks to absorb as much as he can from experienced international stars.

“You’re wearing the crest. You’re playing with the best players in your country and you’re competing against some of the best competition in the world,” he said. “There’s just something special that comes with representing your country.

“I’m learning from guys who’ve been to World Cups, who’ve played in different competitions around the world and represented our nation plenty of times. I’m learning from their mentality. Their approach to the game has really helped me become a more competitive player.”

[lawrence-related id=28568,28571,28540]

Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC: How to watch as Messi could make return

Will Messi return to action for Inter Miami’s match against Toronto FC on Wednesday?

Can’t win ’em all — at least, not when Lionel Messi is missing from the lineup.

Atlanta United handed Inter Miami its first defeat in all competitions since Messi’s arrival over the weekend via a 5-2 result.

Miami will look to get back to winning ways against Toronto FC in a midweek clash on Wednesday. Since the arrival of Messi in July (in addition to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba shortly after), Inter had gone unbeaten in 12 matches.

However, Messi and Alba ended up not playing in Atlanta, with head coach Tata Martino saying both missed the match due to “muscular fatigue.”

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC on Apple TV” link=”https://apple.co/3Ltdxha”]

With the loss, the Herons dropped to nine points behind ninth-place D.C. United in the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto is a fantastic opportunity at a rebound, though, as the only team below Miami in the Eastern Conference standings. Going into the game, the status of Messi and Alba is still in doubt.

Here is everything you need to know to catch all the action:

Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC (Major League Soccer)

  • When: Wednesday, Sept. 20
  • Where: DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale)
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Apple TV

MLS Starting Lineups

Inter Miami possible lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Aviles, Miller, Allen; Arroyo, Busquets, Cremaschi; Taylor, Campana, Farias

Toronto FC possible lineup:
Romero; Franklin, Rosted, Bradley, Petretta; Ibarra, Coello, Osorio; Insigne, Kerr, Bernardeschi

MLS Odds and betting lines

MLS odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Tuesday at 9:04 a.m. 

Inter Miami (-310) vs. Toronto FC (+650)

Draw: (+440)

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Messi and Inter Miami on Apple TV” link=”https://apple.co/3Ltdxha”]

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Martino provides Messi update ahead of Toronto FC match

The Argentine superstar could be set to miss a second straight game

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino has said that Lionel Messi will be evaluated after Tuesday’s training session to determine if he’s able to play on Wednesday against Toronto FC.

Messi missed out on Saturday as Miami fell 5-2 at Atlanta United, snapping a run of 12 unbeaten games since the 36-year-old arrived in July.

Martino said that Messi and Jordi Alba both missed the match due to “muscular fatigue,” after Messi had also missed Argentina’s game against Bolivia over the international window. The head coach had previously insisted that Messi was not injured.

The defeat in Atlanta was damaging to Miami’s already shaky playoff hopes, with victory at home against TFC — the only team below Miami in the Eastern Conference standings — a must for the club to maintain a shot at the postseason.

But in a statement shared with the media, Martino couldn’t provide any assurances that Messi and Alba would be ready to face TFC at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday.

“Every player on our roster wants to play every match. That is the mentality of our group,” Martino said. “We have a lot of important matches in a short window of time, and one of my responsibilities as the coach is to care for my players and help them make the hard decisions that will give us the best chance of keeping everyone healthy during this busy run.

“Beginning on Wednesday, we have six matches in 18 days, which is one match every three days, including the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final. Regarding Messi and Alba, both players will train in the full session today with the team and after that we’ll see if they’re available to play and to what extent.”

Martino has previously hinted that his club will prioritize the Open Cup final on September 27 against Houston, as Inter Miami looks to win a second trophy since Messi’s arrival after its Leagues Cup triumph last month.

[lawrence-related id=28540,28414,28243]

Restaurant that delivered Messi’s pizza now unsurprisingly mobbed

Messi tagged Banchero Miami in a post sent to his 487 million Instagram followers

Business is booming at Banchero Miami, and the Argentinian pizza restaurant has more than 487 million reasons to explain it.

That is the approximate number of Instagram followers Lionel Messi shared his pizza delivery with on Friday night, as the Inter Miami star ordered the “Don Antonio” pizza that comes with mozzarella, tomato sauce, tomato slices, onion, anchovies and olives.

Messi was roundly mocked online for the pizza that only slightly resembled a pizza, though it should be noted that Banchero specializes in the Fugazza, a focaccia-like pizza popular in South America.

The truth is, it doesn’t really matter how appetizing said pizza does or does not look. If Messi posts about it and tags the restaurant, the customers will follow.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxTo3r9Oj5T/?hl=en

“The corner of 71st and Collins Ave, look at it!” the restaurant said on Instagram alongside a picture of a line out the door. “Thanks to everyone for choosing us, thanks [goat emoji] for life.”

The restaurant also changed its bio to read “Leo Messi’s favorite pizza.”

Messi’s pizza delivery seemed to confirm the rumors that he didn’t travel for Saturday’s MLS matchup against Atlanta United. After his post on Friday night from Miami, Messi’s absence was confirmed the following day as his side fell 5-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

After handing Inter Miami its first loss of the Messi era, Atlanta United’s social team was ready.

[lawrence-related id=28414,28243,28309]

Messi confirmed out for Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, enjoys very Floridian day instead

Messi’s enjoying a day off with some pizza and youth soccer

Inter Miami faced yet another more or less must-win game in the club’s pursuit of a playoff spot, but Lionel Messi wasn’t there to help.

The iconic No. 10’s status for Saturday’s game against Atlanta United was the subject of some speculation, with Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino saying that the club wouldn’t decide on whether Messi would travel or not until after Friday’s training session.

“We will be careful with him because we have a lot of important games in a short span,” Martino told reporters. “But the idea is to not get Leo or any other player injured.”

Martino later declared that Messi doesn’t have an existing injury, but the realities of international travel while playing in MLS remain daunting. Messi produced a free kick goal in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Ecuador, then traveled but did not play in a 3-0 road win over Bolivia.

Before sitting out that World Cup qualifier in La Paz, Messi had played 12 games in a 48-day span thanks to Miami’s Leagues Cup run, a congested MLS regular season slate, an Open Cup semifinal, and the Albiceleste’s win in CONMEBOL qualifying.

Given all that, hints started to emerge that Messi might not be heavily involved against Atlanta. Following Martino discussing Messi’s status, Messi posted an Instagram story Friday night showing what appeared to be a “Don Antonio” pizza from Banchero, a Miami Beach pizzeria known for its Argentine-style pies.

Credit: Leo Messi on Instagram

Messi then turned up at his son Thiago’s match with Inter Miami’s Under-12 team with what looked for all the world like a full cup of maté and some rolled-up jean shorts.

Banchero is located right on Miami Beach, while Inter Miami’s academy teams play at the club’s training facility. Both of these places are nowhere near Atlanta.

There were also reports from ESPN Argentina saying that Messi did not make the 664-mile trip north, but whatever, that’s not as fun. What’s on a Don Antonio? Jorts? That’s the good stuff.

(By the way, the Don Antonio comes with mozzarella, tomato sauce, tomato slices, onion, anchovies, olives, and the official position of Pro Soccer Wire is that it looks a little odd, but we’d try it for sure)

Anyway with kickoff approaching, the club delivered confirmation: no Messi in the starting 11, or on the bench.

Without Messi, Martino started Robert Taylor and Facundo Farías to either side of Leo Campana.

Following what ended up being a 5-2 Atlanta rout, Martino said that both Messi and Jordi Alba (who, like his former Barcelona teammate, played no part in the defeat) were simply in need of some rest.

“They both have muscular fatigue,” Martino told reporters after the match before alluding to the artificial turf playing surface. “It has nothing to do with the field.” Messi had previously shrugged off worries about playing on plastic.

[lawrence-related id=28349,28371,27821]

Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami: How to watch as Messi returns to MLS play

A massive crowd is expected at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the marquee matchup

The international break felt a lot different this time around in Major League Soccer.

Plenty of players in the league reported for international duty, but few have ever done so after riding the highs Lionel Messi has been hitting recently with Inter Miami.

Despite having to play a match against Sporting KC over the international break without Messi (a 3-2 win), Miami remains unbeaten in 12 games since the Argentine arrived — with Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba joining shortly after.

Now Messi and Co. return to MLS play against Atlanta United, with a massive crowd expected at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

In the Leagues Cup in July, Inter cruised to a 4-0 win over Atlanta in a contest where Messi bagged a brace. However, it’s expected to be a much tighter affair in MLS play.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United on Apple TV” link=”https://apple.co/3sSTT7L”]

In fact, in a rare occurrence, Miami is the slight underdog. Atlanta, sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, has a decent shot to become the first team to beat Miami since Messi’s arrival.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami is on 28 points after 26 matches, sitting six points behind D.C. United in the final postseason position.

Here is everything you need to know to catch all the action:

Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami (Major League Soccer)

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 15
  • Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
  • Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Apple TV

MLS Starting Lineups

Atlanta United possible lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Sosa, Sejdic, Wolff, Almada; Giakoumakis, Lobzhanidze

Inter Miami possible lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Miller, Aviles, Alba; Arroyo, Busquets, Gomez; Taylor, Martinez, Messi

MLS Odds and betting lines

MLS odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Odds were last updated Friday at 1:39 p.m.

Atlanta United (+135) vs. Inter Miami (+150)

Draw: (+300)

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch Messi and Inter Miami on Apple TV” link=”https://apple.co/3sSTT7L”]

We recommend interesting sports viewing/streaming and betting opportunities. If you sign up for a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Martino to make late Messi call for Atlanta United match

The Inter Miami coach insisted that his star is not injured

Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino said Lionel Messi is healthy and available for his side’s match at Atlanta United on Saturday, but cautioned his team would still have to be careful with the Argentina star.

Messi only played in one of Argentina’s two matches over the recent international break. The 36-year-old scored the winner against Ecuador last week before being substituted late due to what he called fatigue.

Though he traveled to Bolivia, Messi would then sit out Argentina’s second match of the window — a 3-0 victory for the World Cup champions.

With his team’s superstar back for a playoff push, Martino said he would make a decision on his involvement after training on Friday.

“[Messi] is fine. But we will wait until after training today to make a decision,” Martino told the media on Friday, adding that Messi trained with the team on Thursday as well.

“We will be careful with him because we have a lot of important games in a short span. But the idea is to not get Leo or any other player injured.”

When asked if Messi was injured at all, Martino replied: “He doesn’t have an injury.”

(UPDATE: Messi reportedly didn’t travel to Atlanta, which he appeared to confirm on Friday night by posting a video on Instagram of his pizza order in Miami)

Currently on a 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Inter Miami is getting closer to climbing back into MLS playoff position. Martino’s side is still second-bottom in the Eastern Conference, but is now only six points back of D.C. United in the last playoff position, with two games in hand.

The match against Atlanta was set to be the first time Messi played on artificial turf since his arrival to Inter Miami. Though there had been some speculation he could opt out of such matches, Messi said last month he was happy to play on turf.

“I played all of my youth career on artificial turf,” Messi told reporters. “It’s been a long time since I played on turf, but I don’t have a problem with it.”

[lawrence-related id=28243,27972,27821]