Lionel Messi's transfer to Inter Miami has set MLS on a path to the stars. Literally. And the Magic Messi effect on MLS is just getting started.
Lionel Messi appeared to tweak his left ankle during a training session Monday, but the Inter Miami standout is not expected to miss Tuesday's League Cup semifinal on the road against the Philadelphia Union.
Video from ESPN's Spanish-language affiliate showed Messi as he appeared to roll his left ankle in a close-quarters passing drill. He stepped gingerly on his left foot for a few moments but returned to the drill.
Lionel Messi’s game-tying free kick vs. FC Dallas on Sunday in the Leagues Cup was an insane moment. A new video angle prior to the kick shows that Messi was a little sneaky when he was setting up to take the shot.
While the referee had his back turned the Argentine ever so subtly moved the ball closer to the middle of the field to get a better angle for the shot.
Monterrey will be playing in the quarter-finals of the Leagues Cup against LAFC this Friday and they are, along with Querétaro, the only Liga MX teams qualified for the next round of the tournament.
✅ Round of 32
✅ Round of 16
Quarterfinals pic.twitter.com/5mphS4X2LR— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 9, 2023
Aug. 1 was an incredibly dark day for me personally. On that day I happened to agree with an opinion from Alexi Lalas. His thoughts on the United States women’s national team’s 0-0 draw with Portugal matched mine.
There can be zero question over the value of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV now. Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami turned the streaming service into the hottest thing since the first guy to open a sandwich shop, and it certainly doesn't hurt when you also get to see Sergio Busquets apply tennis ball-like spin to his entry passes in 1080p. Oh, Jordi Alba's here too.
So when does Messi play again? Messi next match for Miami is part of a string of fixtures coming in hot for the Herons as they fight on three fronts: Leagues Cup, U.S. Open Cup and MLS.
Nashville SC defeated Club América 2-2 (6-5 on penalty kicks) Wednesday night in the Leagues Cup to advance to the quarterfinals. The result has become highly controversial with América/Mexico fans calling it a robbery.
The biggest talking point came in the penalty shootout when it initially looked like América goalkeeper Luis Malagón had won his side the game when he denied Jack Maher.
There has been a ludicrous amount of transfer drama in the summer 2023 window and Major League Soccer might have one last trick up their sleeve. Yes, there are transfer rumors of a Kylian Mbappé MLS move.
The 24-year-old has been on the outs with Paris Saint-Germain for a while now as he has one year left on his contract and it’s widely agreed he’s seeking a move to Real Madrid. PSG don’t want to allow Mbappé to leave for free next summer when he's out of contract and instead are looking to sell him this transfer window for around $165 million.
David Beckham's reaction to Lionel Messi's late-game free kick against FC Dallas is pure joy.
It came in the 85th minute of Inter Miami's game versus FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup as his side needed an equalizer.
Here's the free kick in case you missed it.
HE DID IT AGAIN.
LEO MESSI. FREE KICK. EQUALIZER. 4-4. pic.twitter.com/Yh1TXFDENH
Lionel Messi added another dramatic free kick goal to his Inter Miami highlight reel as his side defeated FC Dallas in the Leagues Cup Round of 16 with a scoreline of 5-3 on penalties after drawing 4-4 after 90 minutes.
This was Messi’s first away game since joining Inter Miami and he didn’t disappoint. The Argentine scored yet another brace to bring his goal tally with Miami up to seven goals in four games.
He has scored three braces in a row.