World Cup News

Javier Mascherano has left Inter Miami for personal reasons

Lionel Messi will soon answer to a different face as Inter Miami announced the shock resignation of Javier Mascherano as coach. Mascherano’s bombshell decision came just days after Miami drew…

Mascherano quits as Inter Miami coach, 4 months after MLS title espn.in

JAVIER MASCHERANO has left Inter Miami after just over one year in charge. The former Liverpool and Barcelona star departed from David Beckham's MLS side on Tuesday. In a statement, Mascherano revealed he has quit, explaining: “I want to let everyone know that, for personal reasons, I have decided to end my tenure as head...

Mascherano led the club to its first MLS Cup title and is close friends with star Lionel Messi

L'allenatore argentino comunica l'addio pochi mesi dopo aver vinto il titolo MLS: "Ringrazio tutti, non ho dubbi sui trionfi futuri del club"

Only one Manchester United player made BBC Sport’s Team of the Week following last night’s disastrous defeat to Leeds United. Despite Bruno Fernandes doing his utmost to pull the strings, it was United’s only goalscorer on the night, Casemiro, who made Troy Deeney’s selection. DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES […] The post Not Bruno: One Red makes BBC TOTW after Leeds loss, Deeney knows why he’s the only one to excel appeared first on Stretty News.

It’s time to take a look at the upcoming football matches set to appear live on our TV screens this week, so here’s a rundown. It’s set to be another busy week of action with a full batch of football live scores to keep an eye on across the world. Take a look below at […] The post Football matches live on TV this week appeared first on Fan Banter.

The Herons' coach lamented the missed opportunities that ultimately affected the final result against the New York Red Bulls. Leer

Inter Miami were unable to record their first victory at Nu Stadium at the second attempt, as Adri Mehmeti’s equaliser forced them to settle for a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. The reigning MLS Cup champions, whose first outing at their purpose-built home resulted in a 2-2 draw with Austin […] The post Inter Miami 2-2 New York Red Bulls: Hosts held again at Nu Stadium appeared first on Soccer News.

Inter Miami’s hopes of securing a first victory at their new Nu Stadium were frustrated once more on Saturday after Red Bull New York came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw. A week after Lionel Messi and Miami were held to the same score by Austin FC in their opening game at their new […] The post Red Bull New York’s teen spirit frustrates Messi, Miami appeared first on Soccer America.

Matchday 7 Leer

The two managers watched an exciting 2-2 draw unfold at Nu Stadium on Saturday night. Leer

A resilient New York Red Bulls team kept Lionel Messi's team from securing a win. Leer

Lionel Messi had a free kick saved in stoppage time as Inter Miami drew 2-2 with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday to remain without a win at its new stadium.

Inter Miami still winless at new stadium as Messi denied late espn.in

Game summary of the Inter Miami CF vs. Red Bull New York MLS game, final score 2-2, from April 11, 2026 on ESPN.

Inter Miami are set to host New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer action, with all eyes on Lionel Messi. Inter Miami are looking for their first win this Saturday at Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park following last week’s grand opening. Their opponent in this MLS matchup will be New York Red Bulls, with Lionel Messi once again leading the team. The Herons currently sit tied for second place in the Eastern Conference standings with 11 points, level with New York City FC and Charlotte FC, after recording three wins, two draws, and one loss. At the top of the table are Nashville SC with 13 points. Their opponent, New York Red Bulls, have had a similar campaign so far: they trail Inter Miami by just one point in the standings and will be motivated by the chance to make a statement with a win at Nu Stadium. Confirmed Inter Miami lineup Compared to last week’s match, head coach Javier Mascherano will introduce a couple of changes to the starting lineup against New York Red Bulls, taking into account recent performances and minor fitness concerns. Most importantly, Lionel Messi will remain in the starting XI. Lionel Messi of Inter Miami talks with Javier Mascherano as he leaves the field. The confirmed Inter Miami lineup is: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Maximiliano Falcon, Micael, Sergio Reguilon; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright; Mateo Silvetti, Lionel Messi, Telasco Segovia; German Berterame. Confirmed New York Red Bulls lineup After defeating FC Cincinnati last weekend in MLS play, New York Red Bulls enter this matchup against Inter Miami in good form. However, head coach Michael Bradley knows that Saturday’s challenge against Lionel Messi and company will be far more demanding. The confirmed New York Red Bulls lineup is: Ethan Horvath; Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Dylan Nealis, Robert Voloder, Matthew Dos Santos; Adri Mehmeti, Emil Forsberg, Ronald Donkor; Cade Cowell, Julian Hall, Jorge Ruvalcaba.

Inter Miami have been slipping down the Eastern Conference table, so can they finally get going on Saturday night?

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will visit Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer next week, and a record-breaking crowd is expected. Next week, Colorado Rapids will play a historic match against Inter Miami as part of their 30th anniversary celebration in Major League Soccer. That occasion, combined with Lionel Messi’s presence, has helped the club reach a new ticket sales record. “The race to history is on,” the club announced Friday in a post on its official X account. “We’ve surpassed 60,000 tickets for our 30th Anniversary Match!” This highlights the massive anticipation surrounding the matchup scheduled for Saturday, April 18. This will be just the second time Colorado Rapids face Lionel Messi since his arrival in MLS in the summer of 2023. The only previous meeting was a 2-2 draw at Chase Stadium during the 2024 season, meaning Messi has yet to play an away match against Colorado with the Herons. The arrival of the Argentine superstar is one of the main reasons this match is so special. Another is that the club has chosen this date to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its first MLS season, as Colorado Rapids were one of the league’s 10 founding teams in 1996. The race to history is on 💪 We’ve surpassed 60,000 tickets for our 30th Anniversary Match! pic.twitter.com/fDV7jqf71r — Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) April 10, 2026 Venue change for Colorado Rapids vs Inter Miami Aware of the significance of the match against Inter Miami, Colorado Rapids anticipated an unusually high attendance and decided to change the venue. The MLS Matchday 8 game will not be played at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, as is usually the case, but at Empower Field at Mile High. The selected stadium is home to the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL) and has a significantly larger capacity. While Colorado Rapids typically host crowds of around 18,000 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Empower Field at Mile High can accommodate up to 76,000 spectators. Colorado Rapids set ticket sales record Until now, the highest-attended match in Colorado Rapids history took place on July 4, 2002, against Chicago Fire in MLS. On that occasion, the club also played at Empower Field at Mile High, with approximately 59,500 fans in attendance. That mark has now been surpassed, with more than 60,000 tickets already sold and over a week remaining before kickoff. That figure is expected to continue rising, potentially bringing the stadium close to full capacity.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano has defended his team's start to the 2026 season, despite the "noise" surrounding last season's MLS Cup winners.

Inter Miami take on New York RB in a 2026 MLS regular season clash. Check here for full game details, including date, location, and broadcast information to watch it live in the USA. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Inter Miami vs New York RB on US television and via legal streaming: WHO Inter Miami vs New York RB WHAT MLS 2026 season WHEN 7:30pm ET / 4:30am PT • Saturday, April 11, 2026 WHERE Apple TV STREAM WATCH NOW Match Overview With both clubs separated by just a single point in the standings, this matchup carries early-season weight as the New York Red Bulls look to build on their 10-point start and climb from seventh place, while Inter Miami aim to steady themselves after a frustrating result last time out. Despite being held by Austin FC, Miami remain firmly in the hunt, sitting fourth with 11 points—only two shy of leaders Nashville SC—with Lionel Messi heading a squad capable of shifting momentum quickly; with both sides eyeing a statement win to tighten the race at the top, this showdown shapes up as a must-watch. Details on how to watch Apple TV is the home for Major League Soccer – where you can watch Inter Miami vs New York RB and every MLS game. With the legal streaming service, you can watch the game on your computer, Apple TV, smartphone, tablet, Roku, and other smart streaming devices. Apple TV will stream every MLS game – including MLS Cup Playoffs and Leagues Cup – with no blackouts. Apple TV is available via the Apple TV app on all Apple iOS devices, Mac, PC, Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick, Android TV, Google TV, LG smart TVs, Panasonic smart TVs, Playstation 4 & 5, Roku streaming devices and smart TVs, Samsung smart TVs, Sony smart TVs, Vizio smart TVs, and Xbox One, One S, Series X and Series S. In addition, you can AirPlay or cast from your phone or computer to any compatible screen. SEE MORE: Schedule of MLS games on US TV and streaming How to watch anywhere with VPN If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out World Soccer Talk’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming soccer.

After being a serious target of the MLS, Kevin De Bruyne has yet to decide his future once his deal expires at Napoli. Kevin De Bruyne was one of MLS‘s primary targets during the final months of his time at Manchester City, though it was ultimately Napoli who landed his signature back in 2024. Now, the Belgian legend has admitted he has yet to make a decision on his future beyond the Italian club, leaving the door open for MLS to make another run at one of the game’s finest midfielders. After his contract expired at Manchester City in June 2024, De Bruyne chose to remain in Europe rather than make the move to North America, signing with Napoli. In his first season, he became a central figure in Antonio Conte’s system, helping the club claim their fourth Scudetto in the 2024-25 season, but his longer-term future has been left unanswered. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, De Bruyne was asked whether Napoli would be his final club. “I don’t know that yet; I’m not thinking about it right now. I’m not that type of person. I still have a contract, and I’m truly happy in Naples. I’m trying to enjoy the moment now. I believe I can still play for a few more years, then when my body tells me to stop, I will. But for now, I feel good,” he said. De Bruyne, currently 34, turns 35 in June and is under contract through the end of the 2026-27 season, by which point he will be 36. With more than a year remaining on his deal and a firmly established role at Napoli, a departure ahead of next season seems unlikely at this stage. Kevin De Bruyne #7 of Belgium. When asked about the prospect of retirement, De Bruyne left open the possibility of one more chapter in his playing career. “When will I stop? I really don’t know. Certainly, there will be nothing at first, because I’ll want to enjoy my family, who have made so many sacrifices for me. Then I’ll have to find something to do, obviously. In the near future, however, I just want to continue playing football, giving my best to stay at the highest level possible. I feel good, I’m happy, and my family is happy for me,” he said. Could De Bruyne end up in MLS? As his contract with Manchester City wound down, De Bruyne was linked with a potential move to Inter Miami to team up with Lionel Messi, or alternatively as a Designated Player for the then-new expansion franchise San Diego FC. BBC Sport later reported that Chicago Fire had emerged as the frontrunners, holding the discovery rights for the Belgian midfielder. Although De Bruyne ultimately chose Napoli, Chicago are expected to still hold those discovery rights, and with Hugo Cuypers and Jonathan Bamba currently occupying two of the club’s three DP slots, there is room for a marquee addition. By the time his Napoli contract expires, De Bruyne will be 36, putting him in a similar position to Thomas Muller when he joined the Vancouver Whitecaps, and potentially making him the latest global name to make his mark in MLS.

An unexpected moment that went viral Leer

Focused on Manchester United and in the 2026 World Cup, Harry Maguire has reportedly rejected a move to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. Harry Maguire has rediscovered his best form in recent months, catching the attention of Inter Miami as his contract at Manchester United approached its expiration in June 2026. While the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi was reportedly on the table, the English defender has chosen to remain at Old Trafford, with his focus firmly on both the club and the 2026 World Cup. According to Transfermarkt and The Sun, Inter Miami were among the clubs interested in signing Maguire on a free transfer, along with Napoli. With the Herons dealing with a defensive crisis and still holding an available international roster spot, bringing in the England center back was seen as a viable solution to shore up the backline. However, Maguire reportedly turned down Inter Miami’s approach and has instead agreed to a one-year contract extension with Manchester United. That option had always been available for the club to exercise, and following Maguire’s resurgent run of form, United wasted no time in making the announcement official, with still two months remaining in the current season. As for Maguire, the defender expressed genuine enthusiasm about staying. “You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” he said in a statement on Manchester United’s official website. Harry Maguire of England. Maguire and a return to his highest level After a turbulent stretch at Manchester United that saw multiple managers dismissed, the captaincy stripped from him and a near-move to West Ham in 2023, the tide has turned dramatically for Maguire. Back as a regular starter, he has been a key figure in United’s push to third place in the Premier League, a finish that would return the club to the Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season. On the international front, Maguire has also worked his way back into England’s plans since September 2024. He featured in both the Uruguay and Japan friendlies during the March international break, and in an interview with The Athletic made clear just how motivated he is to be part of the World Cup squad. “Whatever role the manager would want me for, whether that’s starting or deciding games late on, I still believe, even at my age, I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes. I don’t think that’s open to question, really,” Maguire said, with Thomas Tuchel set to submit England’s final World Cup squad list in May.

New York Red Bulls head coach Michael Bradley has urged his side to build on a great performance and be the team “that just plays really good football” ahead of their clash with defending MLS champions Inter Miami on Saturday. NYRB picked up a confident 4-2 win over 10-man FC Cincinnati in their last outing, […] The post Bradley urges Red Bulls to be the team that plays ´really good football´ against Miami appeared first on Soccer News.

In a sudden change of plans, the two rivals of Lionel Messi's Argentina prior to the 2026 World Cup have been reportedly revealed. Lionel Messi is in the final stages of his preparation ahead of Argentina‘s campaign at the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. With just two friendlies remaining before the tournament begins, the Inter Miami star is now dealing with a change of opponent. As announced by AFA, Argentina will face Honduras and Iceland in the two friendlies scheduled for the June international window ahead of the World Cup. The match against Honduras is set for June 6, while the clash against the Icelandic side follows on June 9, leaving Messi and company just one week to regroup before their tournament opener against Algeria on the 16th. The Honduras fixture had long been floated as a possibility, even during the March window when Argentina ultimately faced Mauritania and Zambia. The Iceland match, however, came as a surprise to fans, not because of the opponent itself, but because Serbia had been widely expected to fill the European slot on the schedule. In his press conference on March 26 ahead of the Mauritania game, head coach Lionel Scaloni had spoken with confidence about the June plans: “Regarding the June matches, it is my understanding that one of them will be against Serbia. That is my understanding; we requested it, thanks to the fact that (Claudio) Arzeno is on Serbia’s coaching staff, and we were able to speak with him. If the match can be played, I believe one of our opponents will be Serbia.“ Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring against Zambia. A recent L’Équipe report noted that Argentina’s upcoming opponents carry a combined average ranking of 85th in the FIFA standings, reigniting the debate around the quality of the Albiceleste’s warm-up schedule. While none of the three sides have qualified for the upcoming World Cup, Argentina, ranked third in the latest update, will face Honduras, ranked 66th, and Iceland, ranked 75th, with the originally planned Serbia, ranked 39th, now out of the picture. Messi set for iconic college football venues While the caliber of the opposition may not generate much excitement, the settings certainly will. Messi and his Argentina teammates are set to play in front of massive crowds at two storied college football stadiums ahead of their World Cup title defense. The game against Honduras on June 6 will be held at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, home of the Texas A&M Aggies and one of the largest stadiums in the country with a capacity of 102,733. The venue last hosted a high-profile soccer occasion when Brazil defeated Mexico 3-2 in a friendly that drew an attendance of 85,249, according to ESPN. The clash against Iceland will then take place at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, home of the Auburn Tigers and another iconic Southeastern Conference venue. With a capacity of 87,451 and the game set to be played on a grass surface, it will mark the first time in the stadium’s 87-year history that a soccer match has been played on its field.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been at the center of one of the most intense rivalries. While some praise the Portuguese scoring prowess, others praise the Argentine’s all-around capacity. In light of this, 1986 World Cup champion Oscar Ruggeri makes the difference between both stars. Even though Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are already veterans, they continue to be the subject of constant comparisons. While some praise the Portuguese’s goal-scoring prowess, others highlight the Argentine’s ability to shine all over the pitch. In this context, 1986 World Cup champion Oscar Ruggeri joined the conversation, making clear the difference between the two stars throughout their careers. In an exclusive interview with Bolavip, Oscar Ruggeri made it clear that comparing Messi and Ronaldo doesn’t make sense, highlighting the difference between the two. “It wouldn’t even cross my mind to discuss the subject, because there’s a huge difference between the genius we have and the other one, who is a great player. Messi is a genius and Ronaldo is a star. He’s truly a star, a very good player, but he’s not a genius like Messi.” Throughout his career, Lionel Messi has made an impact far beyond his goal-scoring prowess. Starting from the right wing, the Argentine established as the team’s primary creative force, consistently linking up play. As a result, he has racked up 407 assists, leading him to take on a different role in his later years. Nevertheless, he shines as a scorer with 903 goals, proving himself to be one of the most complete players in history. While Ruggeri does not consider Cristiano Ronaldo a genius, Ronaldo has shattered every stereotype. Initially embarking on his career as a brilliant left winger, injuries transformed him into a historic center forward. Far from faltering, he has consistently ranked among the world’s top scorers for over 20 years, amassing 967 goals and nearing the elusive 1,000-goal mark. Now 41 years old, he continues to shine in the Saudi Pro League. Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal shakes hands with Lionel Messi of Argentina Messi and Ronaldo set for a historic duel in 2026 World Cup After shining in the MLS and the Saudi Pro League, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand out as clear candidates to compete in the 2026 World Cup. Although they are already veterans, both remain leaders of their national teams, considered key figures for their head coaches. Unlike previous editions, this could be their final tournament, making the outcome potentially historic. If they confirm their presence with Argentina and Portugal, they would become the players with the most World Cup appearances in history, cementing their names in the tournament’s legacy. In addition, Ronaldo could aim to win this major trophy for the first time in his career, while Messi will look to defend his title, providing a historic opportunity in their long-standing comparison. The 1,000-goal milestone may set up Messi-Ronaldo duel After more than 20 years, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are unmistakably approaching retirement. Nevertheless, they are engaged in another major duel: The 1,000-goal milestone. While the Argentine sits at 903 goals, the Portuguese has 967, making him the clear favorite to reach it first. However, the focus may not be on who gets there first, but on who ultimately achieves it, putting pressure on the Inter Miami star.

Like a LinkedIn Premium member, Manchester United star Harry Maguire has left a glowing endorsement of himself. Maguire put pen to paper on a new United contract at the start of the week. The 33-ye…

Explore MFF’s detailed preview for Inter Miami vs New York RB in the Major League Soccer. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 00:30 BST match.Explore MFF’s detailed preview for Inter Miami vs New York RB in the Major League Soccer. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 00:30 BST match. Match Details Fixture: Inter […]

Explore MFF’s detailed preview for New England vs DC United in the Major League Soccer. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 00:30 BST match.Explore MFF’s detailed preview for New England vs DC United in the Major League Soccer. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 00:30 BST match. Match Details Fixture: New England vs […]

Harry Maguire rejected the opportunity to join Inter Miami before agreeing to extend his contract at Manchester United, according to The Sun, choosing top-level European football over a move to the MLS side co-owned by David Beckham where he would have been teammates with Lionel Messi. For a player in his early thirties who spent […] The post Manchester United star turned down the chance to play with Messi before signing a new deal at Old Trafford first appeared on Premier League News Now.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! With the news becoming official that Patrick Agyemang will miss the World Cup with an Achilles injury, Alexi and Mosse discuss what that means for the US roster this summer and what strikers could step up and step in for the injured Agyemang. After, the pair break down all the happenings from the first leg of the UCL quarterfinals, including PSG dominating Liverpool, Bayern beating Real Madrid away, Arsenal winning late, and Atletico Madrid seeing off Barcelona. In U.S. Abroad, Alexi asks if it is time for Christian Pulisic to leave AC Milan in the wake of his poor form. Alexi and Mosse then preview the upcoming MLS weekend matches that will see Messi and Inter Miami host Michael Bradley’s NYRB and old rivals New England DC facing off once more. In #AskAlexi, Alexi recounts his favorite trash talk moments and gives a full postmortem for Italy missing the World Cup and in One For The Road, Alexi and Mosse discuss negativity within the USA fanbase and tease a giveaway. Presented by Zillow #Zillow Patrick Agyemang OUT for the World Cup (5:11)UCL Quarterfinal first leg recap (11:43)Should Pulisic leave AC Milan? (24:38)MLS Weekend Preview (31:50)#AskAlexi (42:39)One for the Road (53:32) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luis Suarez could end up facing Lamine Yamal’s Spain after leaving the door open for a return to Uruguay national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Luis Suarez had not been part of Uruguay‘s World Cup plans until now, currently 39 years old and winding down his career at Inter Miami. But the veteran striker could yet find himself facing Lamine Yamal‘s Spain after leaving the door open to a surprise return to the Celeste. Suarez brought his international career to a close in September 2024, playing the full 90 minutes in Uruguay‘s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier against Paraguay before stepping away. Since then, he has been absent for the Celeste’s last 17 matches, including the remaining qualifying fixtures and the most recent round of friendly games. In an interview with Uruguayan outlet Diario Ovación, Suarez opened up about what retirement from the national team has felt like: “I’ll be honest with you… It’s a reality that since I retired from the national team… The flame of football has been slowly dying out for me. You maintain the desire, that passion for football through goals, through dreams, and you always dreamed of being in the national team.“ The striker then shed some light on the thinking behind his decision, while also hinting at second thoughts. “I retired from the national team to pave the way for other players and because I thought a time had come when I could no longer be useful to the national team.” But he stopped short of closing the door entirely. “Obviously, the national team is always what you want. Today you start thinking and turning things over in your head, and you are close to the World Cup, and if they need you, what do you do?” he added. Luis Suarez acknowledges the fans on his last match as a player of the Uruguay national team. One of the biggest obstacles standing between Suarez and a potential comeback is not his form in front of goal, but his strained relationship with head coach Marcelo Bielsa. Just a month after announcing his international retirement, Suárez publicly took aim at the Argentine manager, claiming that “Bielsa has separated the entire group, even through his way of training.“ Despite that friction, Suárez made his loyalty to Uruguay crystal clear, with the final squad list expected to be submitted in May. “I will never say no to my country; I will absolutely never say no to my country. If they need me, I will never say no to the national team. That is impossible, as long as I keep playing, as long as I remain competitive,” he concluded. Suarez and Yamal could clash for the first time Although Suarez was one of Barcelona’s most lethal strikers during his time at the club, he and Lamine Yamal never shared a pitch in the first team. Suarez left Barcelona in 2020 and Atletico Madrid in 2022, while Yamal made his debut in April 2023, by which point the Uruguayan had already returned to South America. The 2026 World Cup, however, could bring together the past, present and future of FC Barcelona on the same field. Uruguay and Spain have been drawn together in Group H and are set to meet on Friday, June 26, at Estadio Akron, in what figures to be a pivotal match in the group standings, one where both Yamal and a potentially returning Suárez could prove to be the difference-makers.

Tadeo Allende, a key teammate of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, was absent from Wednesday’s training session ahead of the Major League Soccer clash against New York Red Bulls. On Saturday, Inter Miami will face New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, a crucial matchup as they look to stay among the top spots in the Eastern Conference. Three days before that game, a key partner of Lionel Messi, Tadeo Allende, was not present at training. “The big absence from this morning’s training session is Tadeo Allende,” journalist Jose Armando reported on Wednesday in a post on his official X account. “Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul trained without any issues.” Allende, alongside Messi, was Inter Miami’s most decisive player during last season’s playoffs, scoring nine goals in six matches that proved crucial in helping the club win its first MLS title. That prompted a significant investment in him, estimated at around $5 million to secure his transfer from Celta Vigo. However, since then, the Argentine forward has struggled to replicate the level he showed at the end of 2025. In fact, this season Allende has yet to register a single goal contribution: he has played eight matches across MLS and the Concacaf Champions Cup without scoring or providing an assist. Javier Mascherano, Head Coach of Inter Miami CF. Two pieces of good news for Inter Miami Despite Tadeo Allende’s absence, Wednesday’s training session brought two positive updates for Inter Miami regarding other players who had recently been dealing with physical issues: Facundo Mura and Sergio Reguilon. “Mura returned to train with the rest of the group,” Jose Armando reported. The Argentine right back missed the last match against Austin FC at Nu Stadium due to an ankle issue. That forced Javier Mascherano to start Ian Fray in that role, but his performance fell short, leading to Gonzalo Lujan coming on at halftime. The other player who was able to train with the squad is Reguilon. The Spanish left back had also missed last Saturday’s match for the Herons due to muscle issues and is now aiming to return to the team. Upcoming challenges for Inter Miami This Saturday at 7:30 PM (ET), Inter Miami will play their second match at the newly inaugurated Nu Stadium at Miami Freedom Park, looking for their first win there after a 2-2 draw against Austin FC last weekend. Their opponent will be New York Red Bulls, who sit one point behind them in the standings. Following that match, the Herons will travel to face Colorado Rapids one week later.

Harry Maguire reportedly turned down the chance to become Inter Miami’s latest high-profile signing before signing a new deal at Manchester United. The England defender penned a new one-year …

The countdown is officially on for the 2026 SHEIN Women’s Football Awards - and this year’s edition is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

After the early exit in the Champions Cup, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami suffered a drop of four places in the CONCACAF rankings. Inter Miami have struggled to live up to the expectations that surrounded them heading into the season, suffering an early setback with an earlier-than-expected elimination from the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Herons’ inconsistent run has now cost them in the standings, with Lionel Messi‘s side dropping four places in the CONCACAF club rankings. Ahead of the start of both the 2026 MLS season and the Champions Cup back in February, CONCACAF published their updated club rankings with Inter Miami sitting third, ahead of every MLS side and trailing only Toluca and Cruz Azul. Two months on, the picture looks considerably different for the Herons. Cruz Azul has since overtaken Toluca as the top-ranked club in CONCACAF, while Inter Miami have tumbled from third down to seventh in the same two-month span. The Herons have been leapfrogged by Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Club America and Tigres UANL, all of whom have boosted their standing by advancing to the quarterfinals of the current Champions Cup. Nashville’s series: the biggest blow for Inter Miami As CONCACAF explains, its rankings are calculated using a weighted system that factors in performances across domestic leagues, national cups, continental tournaments and global competitions. Inter Miami had climbed to third on the strength of their 2025 MLS Cup triumph, but their recent results have steadily eroded that standing. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF dribbles the ball against Jeisson Palacios #4 of Nashville SC. The most damaging blow came in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where Messi and company entered directly at the Round of 16 and were promptly knocked out by Nashville SC in a shocking upset. Combined with an inconsistent MLS campaign featuring three wins, two draws and one defeat, the Herons have seen their status as one of the continent’s dominant clubs take a significant hit. Are Inter Miami relying too much on Messi? Inter Miami’s slide in the CONCACAF rankings is also a reflection of a broader concern about the team’s overall trajectory, having fallen short in one of their primary objectives for the 2026 season. The issue is not a decline in Messi’s individual level, but rather the extent to which the team has become dependent on him to produce. Through six MLS games, Inter Miami have scored 11 goals, with Messi leading the way as the team’s top scorer with five. No other player has managed more than one goal, with the rest of the tally spread across six different scorers including Mateo Silvetti, Telasco Segovia, Rodrigo De Paul, Gonzalo Luján, Micael and most recently Luis Suárez, while designated strikers Tadeo Allende and German Berterame have struggled to find the net. The lack of firepower from the supporting cast is further highlighted by Messi’s own numbers, as the Argentine has yet to register a single assist through five MLS appearances despite posting an expected assists figure of 1.71 on SofaScore and averaging 2.2 key passes per game. After finishing the 2025 regular season with 81 goals in 34 games, a rate of 2.4 per match, Inter Miami’s current average of 1.8 goals per game is a sign of a team running well below its capabilities, and a problem head coach Javier Mascherano will need to address sooner rather than later.

With his hat-trick against Orlando City, LAFC star Denis Bouanga claimed the fifth MLS Player of the Matchday award in his career, but remains far from legends Lionel Messi and Hani Mukhtar. Denis Bouanga was one of the standout performers of Matchday 6 in the 2026 MLS season, scoring a hat trick in LAFC‘s dominant 6-0 win over Orlando City. The Gabonese striker claimed his fifth career MLS Player of the Matchday award in the process, though he still has plenty of ground to make up on Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar. In Saturday’s rout of Orlando, Son Heung-min turned heads by registering four assists in the first half alone, matching one of Messi’s records in the process, though three of those passes set up Bouanga, who made no mistake in front of goal. MLS opted to award the goalscorer over the South Korean as the match’s standout player. It marked Bouanga’s first Player of the Matchday honor of the 2026 season and the fifth of his MLS career since joining LAFC in 2022. That total places him among the top three active players in the category, trailing only Mukhtar and Messi. Keeping pace with that duo, however, will be no easy feat. Mukhtar sits second on the all-time active list with eight Player of the Matchday awards since arriving at Nashville SC in 2020. Denis Bouanga #99 of Los Angeles Football Club shoots and scores against LD Alajuelense. Topping that list is an even steeper climb. Messi leads all active players with 13 MLS Matchday awards, eight more than Bouanga, having become the first player to claim six across back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025. He has already added another in 2026, taking home the Matchday 2 honor, also against Orlando City, a strong sign that his form shows no signs of fading. Bouanga chasing hat-trick record Unlike Messi and Mukhtar, who operate more as playmakers, Bouanga has built his MLS reputation on his goal-scoring ability. Saturday’s hat trick pushed his regular-season contributions to 99, with 69 goals and 30 assists in 107 games. Netting all three goals within the first 28 minutes also made it the fourth-fastest hat trick from the opening whistle in MLS history. One milestone he is firmly chasing is the all-time MLS regular-season hat-trick record. His tally now stands at five, leaving him within striking distance of Josef Martinez’s mark of seven. By contrast, Messi has scored just two MLS hat tricks, both with Inter Miami, with the most recent coming in October 2025 against Nashville.

HARRY MAGUIRE snubbed Sir David Beckham’s offer of a mega-money Inter Miami move and wants to finish his career at Manchester United. The England defender, 33, was due to become a free agent in the summer but has extended his Red Devils contract by one year, with an option for a further 12 months. Maguire,...

Tom & Dunny discuss Southampton’s win over Arsenal in the FA Cup, if the Gunners’ season is about to fizzle out, the issue with Arsenal’s culture, Liverpool “giving up” against Manchester City, the Reds’ horrendous summer transfer business, if the club should move on from Virgil van Dijk, Inter Miami’s new stadium, Patrick Agyemang’s heartbreaking injury and what it means for the USMNT at the World Cup. Plus, they answer the age old question… how old is too old to wear a jersey? Sorry Tim. Subscribe to our YouTube page at youtube.com/ @weekinthetackle ! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @weekinthetackle! Follow Tom Rennie on Twitter at @tomrenniesoccer and on Instagram at @tomrenniesoccer Follow Brian Dunseth on Instagram @briandunseth. Follow Tim Horsey on Twitter at @timhorsey and on Instagram at @thorsey17.

World Cup 2026 will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, so what will happen to North America's summer league?

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are back with a new episode of State of the Union! The European clubs were back in action after the international break and Weston McKennie found the back of the net again for Juventus in a win, but Christian Pulisic stayed cold appearing as a sub in Milan’s loss to Napoli. Malik Tillman scored for Leverkusen and Gio Reyna made another appearance for Monchengladbach as Alexi and Mosse debate whether or not Gio made a mistake not moving to MLS. Pepi and Dest secured a league title with PSV, Balogun scored a worldie for Monaco and Agyemang went down with an injury for Derby. Josh Sargent and Diego Luna got on the scoresheet in MLS and Lionel Messi christened Inter Miami’s new stadium with a goal. In #AskAlexi, the guys break down Doug McIntyre’s latest USA roster predictions and in One for the Road, Alexi explains what it’s like at the FOX studio lot the night before the World Cup.Presented by Zillow #Zillow (0:00) Intro(3:52) U.S. Abroad: Balogun & McKennie on FIRE(14:51) Agyemang goes down with an injury(21:16) MLS recap: Luna, Messi score(30:58) #AskAlexi: Pochettino Roster Prediction(41:47) 1994 vs 2026: How much progress have we seen in U.S.? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LIONEL MESSI went viral with a rare gaffe that saw him looking for "the ghost of Jordi Alba" during Inter Miami's most recent match. Miami hosted Austin on Sunday and drew 2-2 at the Nu Stadium where Messi, 38, and Luis Suarez cancelled out two openers from the visitors. The two Barcelona legends managed to...

This week, Landon and Jeremiah recap Austin playing the spoiler at Inter Miami's home opener. Other questions and topics include: - South Beach Landon - Nico Estevez's plan for Miami - Should Austin FC have won this game? - Landon's experience at Miami's new stadium - Beckham's boring speech - Did Austin deserve a penalty? - Why Estevez's defensive plan worked - Austin to play Louisville in Open Cup - LA Galaxy Preview - Free Parking at Amplify - much more Moontower Soccer is brought to you ...

Another few game weeks have passed and we've got the teams who are the up and up, like Toronto FC, who had themselves an early morning (for us on PST) wild comeback against Colorado. We also look across the league at the big news and transfers and talk Inter Miami's so-Nu-it-ain't-even-done-yet stadium. That's So MLS Links Also We Have a Blog Now

The LAFC star managed to catch up to the Inter Miami captain in a record that only Messi had held, highlighting the playing styles of both players. Leer

On the latest edition of Caught Offside with Andrew Gundling and JJ Devaney, we take a look back at a wild weekend in the FA Cup including a genuinely discouraging Liverpool performance at Man City and a puzzling Arsenal performance at Southampton. We'll also share our thoughts on Inter Miami's new Nu Stadium, Zavier Gozo getting some USMNT hype and Zack Steffen's weekend to forget. Plus, the UEFA Champions League returns with some heavy hitters facing off in the quarterfinals! And we ask whether or not it's ok to blast loud music at the beach. For even more Caught Offside content, get on over to Caught Offside Plus right now! "World Cup Madness" has wrapped up!!! -Episode 1 - Tournament to determine the greatest USMNT World Cup matches of all time -Episode 2 - Tournament to determine the worst USMNT World Cup matches of all time -Episode 3 - Tournament to determine the best USMNT player going into this World Cup and the best overall player going into this World Cup To sign up, just go to https://caughtoffside.supercast.com! Once you have access to the premium feed, be sure to go back and check out our special "welcome episode" from June 24th, 2024 (we don't think you'll be disappointed)! And for all the latest merch, get over to https://caughtoffsidepod.com/ - Spring has sprung, you've made it through the winter, so buy yourself a present! Get a Caught Offside t-shirt! --- Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CaughtOffsidePod/ X: https://twitter.com/COsoccerpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caughtoffsidepod/ Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Argentine captain scored the team's first goal at the stadium, but he couldn't prevent a curious coincidence that seems like a "curse" for clubs debuting in new stadiums in Major League Soccer. Leer

For months, Inter Miami advertised Nu Stadium with one simple message: "We're coming home.'" On Saturday, in a 2-2 draw with Austin FC, they made good on their promise.