Lionel Messi

Racism is still the biggest plague of the “Beautiful Game”, and it reared its ugly head on Thursday as Argentina and Lionel Messi fans racially abused Canada’s Moïse Bombito on social media.

Fans weren’t happy about the tackle on Messi from the Colorado Rapids star during the Copa América opener between Canada and Argentina. During the second half Messi went down and received treatment following this tackle from the Canada defender.

The Copa América kicked off with Argentina defeating Canada 2-0 on Thursday, however a FOX audio delay frustrated fans who tuned into FS1.

For the entire first half of the opening match commentators John Strong and Stu Holden were on a roughly two second delay. 

FOX has had audio issues in the past, but thankfully this time at least the audio was behind rather than two seconds ahead. There’s nothing worse than the commentators spoiling what you’re about to see.

Here were some examples of what the audio delay looked like in the highlights during the first half.

Argentina defeated Guatemala 4-1 Friday night at FedEx Field near Washington D.C. in a friendly with Lionel Messi scoring twice. The first Messi goal vs Guatemala came after a terrible goalkeeper blunder and gave the Inter Miami star the easiest goal of his career.

In the 12th minute Guatemala had a surprise 1-0 lead against the defending world champions. Disaster then struck in the Guatemalan penalty area as goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen had a careless giveaway.

If there’s one guy you don’t want to give the ball away to in front of your goal, it’s Messi.

Lionel Messi has hinted to his retirement as he shared with ESPN Argentina on Wednesday that Inter Miami will be the last club he plays for.

Messi will turn 37 on June 24 and will likely be playing in his final major international tournament with Argentina this summer in the Copa América. The 2022 World Cup winner hasn't set an official retirement date but said that Inter Miami will be his curtain call.

His contract with the Herons runs until the end of 2025.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami final club quote

Inter Miami will have a tough month of June.

Messi to miss up to six games with Inter Miami during Copa América

Lionel Messi is set to miss over four games with Inter Miami in MLS ahead of his participation in the 2024 Copa América with Argentina this summer.

Messi, who will play his seventh edition of the South American tournament in the Albicelestes’ effort to defend the title won in 2021, will play his last match for Miami this Saturday against St. Louis City SC before joining the national team camp in Argentina.

No Messi, no party.

Fans in attendance for the Vancouver Whitecaps match against Inter Miami last Saturday, who were most certainly expecting to see Lionel Messi on the pitch at the time of buying their tickets, were not impressed with the Argentine’s ‘unexcused’ absence.

Vancouver fans' reaction to Lionel Messi's absence vs. Whitecaps