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.
Lionel Messi was not included in Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni's squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Brazil, with the forward missing out due to a muscle strain.
Why is Messi not playing for Argentina?
Messi is back.
In a thrilling 2024 MLS playoffs rematch encounter between Inter Miami and Atlanta United on Sunday, Lionel Messi made his return to the club starting XI, having an incredible display in The Herons' crucial 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A late Lionel Messi goal vs Cavalier was worth the price of admission for the home crowd in Kingston, Jamaica, as Inter Miami cruised to a 2-0 victory Thursday night and 4-0 on aggregate in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Messi began the night on the bench but entered the game with the Herons leading 1-0 and replaced Luis Suárez in the 53rd minute. The Uruguayan scored Miami’s opener from the penalty spot in the first half.
Messi then struck in the final seconds of the game to put one last nail in the Cavalier coffin.
Messi goal vs Cavalier
Inter Miami are in hot water with their own fans after Lionel Messi didn’t appear in the matchday squad for Thursday’s Concacaf Champions Cup home game vs. Cavalier.
Inter Miami gave no indication or warning that Messi wouldn’t be available for the game until the lineup was released. This left fans outraged as they paid top dollar to see him play at Chase Stadium only to learn he wouldn’t be on the field.
The backlash online came in droves.
Fans react to Messi absence vs Cavalier
MLS is the real deal, folks.
Major League Soccer has solidified its position among the world’s top-tier soccer leagues, now ranked as the ninth-best league globally, according to Opta Analyst.
MLS ranked as ninth-best league in the world, over EFL Championship and Eredivisie
This milestone places MLS above renowned leagues like the English Championship and the Dutch Eredivisie — two leagues in Europe with long histories of having top soccer talents.
“No Messi, No Party" — every Houston Dynamo fan right now, probably.
Fans who bought tickets for Houston Dynamo’s hosting of Inter Miami — eager to see the appearance of Lionel Messi — were hit with devastating news on Saturday night after reports indicated that the Argentine was to miss the clash at Shell Energy Stadium this weekend.
Major League Soccer put its foot down and showed that no one is above the rules as Lionel Messi and superstar teammate Luis Suárez were both hit with fines after week 1 of the new season.
Suárez and Messi fined by MLS
The attacking pair were fined an undisclosed amount for violating the league’s “hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent” rule.
A spectacular Lionel Messi goal vs Sporting KC opened the scoring of Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Tuesday. Miami won 4-1 on aggregate.
Messi got the home crowd at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on their feet in the 19th minute with a golazo from the top of the box. Luis Suarez found his former Barcelona teammate with a cross and Messi finished beautifully on the half volley.
Lionel Messi goal vs Sporting KC
MLS is back... to taking on criticism.
The 2025 MLS season kicked off with plenty of drama, most notably highlighted by San Diego FC’s stunning debut win against the 2024 MLS Champions. The new expansion club managed to pull off one of the most shocking opening weekend results in recent memory, defeating defending champions LA Galaxy at their home turf. There’s a new team in town, California.