Tristan Muyumba and Brooks Lennon each scored first-half goals as Atlanta United also took advantage of an own goal to earn an impressive 5-2 victory Saturday over victory Inter Miami, who were without Lionel Messi. Despite the loss, Leonardo Campana's sombrero flick to goal combination in the first half to open the scoring was an absolute masterclass. Check it out below.
LEO. CAMPANA.
In a recent interview in his home country of Argentina pertaining to his availability for the 2026 World Cup, soccer superstar Lionel Messi called Major League Soccer -- his current home -- "a minor league."
The comment to Star+ came in the context of laying out his priorities, which continue to be trying to support his national team to the fullest. That includes competing in next summer's Copa America for Argentina.
UPDATE: Inter Miami have released a statement that the reports of the club's participation in the Riyadh Season Cup is inaccurate.
Inter Miami statement on rumored friendly vs. Al-Nassr, calling the news “inaccurate”:
“Earlier today, an announcement was issued stating that Inter Miami CF is scheduled to play in the Riyadh Season Cup. This is inaccurate.” pic.twitter.com/DoRsm2kp30
Inter Miami played an organized friendly vs. New York City FC on Friday to celebrate Lionel Messi’s eighth Ballon d’Or. The game was dubbed the “Noche d’Or” but ended as a night of horror as NYCFC spoiled the night with a 2-1 win.
The festivities at DRV PNK Stadium started upbeat with Messi presenting his legendary eighth Ballon d’Or award to the fans.
Leo Messi presents the Ballon d'Or in front of Inter Miami's fans pic.twitter.com/NYM2aunk92
Inter Miami look to be adding even more firepower to their star-studded roster next season with the addition of Luis Suárez. Top Argentine reporter César Luis Merlo reported the Suárez Inter Miami transfer news.
Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis was named the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year on Thursday.
An immediate impact in the ️.
Newcomer of the Year: Giorgos Giakoumakis. pic.twitter.com/AyHGq9slod— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 2, 2023
Lionel Messi was voted as the best player in the world on Monday winning his eighth Ballon d’Or award. A new thing fans got to see is a Messi rings photo with the Inter Miami star having specially made rings for each of his Ballon d’Or wins.
The 36-year-old Argentine and adidas teamed up to make the iconic photo happen as it’s a nod to the legendary basketball star Bill Russell who passed away last year.
Russell won eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966 and took a historic photo wearing all the championship rings.
Some Major League Soccer fans weren’t pleased to hear the news that Lionel Messi was one of three finalists for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. While the Argentine World Cup winner dominated headlines, he only made six MLS appearances.
Messi joins Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis and St. Louis City midfielder Eduard Löwen as the finalists for the newcomer award.
Here’s a brief overview of the three players’ MLS stats this season.
Giakoumakis
Lionel Messi wasn’t at his usual best in Inter Miami’s last MLS game of the season and fans on social media have found clips of the No. 10 throughout the game that show he might’ve not been amused of playing while already being eliminated from playoff contention.
Inter Miami travelled to North Carolina this past weekend ahead of the last match of their 2023 MLS Season against Charlotte FC. The closure to a historic season.
The name and logo for San Diego’s new Major League Soccer team were leaked and it’s the worst we’ve ever seen.
San Diego’s ownership group paid a staggering record expansion fee of $500 million to become the 30th team in the league. Imagine dropping half a billion dollars for a crest and logo that looks — and pardon my French — this dogshit.