Tag: Lionel Messi

By Daniel Edu

Lionel Messi is poised to reunite with his childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, as the Argentine team has agreed to participate in a pre-season friendly at Inter Miami in February.

The Major League Soccer club made the announcement on Monday, revealing that the match against Newell’s will take place at their DRV PNK Stadium on February 15.

Newell’s, based in Messi’s hometown of Rosario, holds special significance for the football star as he played for their youth team before making a move to the Spanish club Barcelona at the age of 13.

Inter Miami’s coach, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino, who also hails from Rosario and played for Newell’s in three separate stints, expressed his excitement about the upcoming fixture. “I am delighted to welcome my beloved Newell’s to our home here in Miami. It will be a special match due to everything Newell’s Old Boys means to me,” Martino said. He sees the match as an excellent opportunity to prepare for what promises to be an exciting season.

This friendly encounter is part of Inter Miami’s packed pre-season schedule, which commences with a match against the El Salvador national team in San Salvador on January 19. Subsequently, the club will engage in two matches in Saudi Arabia, including a showdown with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, followed by fixtures in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

By Daniel Edu

In a remarkable achievement, Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi has once again claimed the title of the world’s most marketable athlete for 2023, as announced by SportsPro. This marks Messi’s second time at the top, making him only the second athlete in 50MM history to achieve this honor, previously securing the spot in 2020.

Surpassing NBA icon LeBron James, Messi’s return to the pinnacle spot underscores his enduring global appeal. The top five also features US Women’s National Soccer Team star Alex Morgan, NBA sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Morgan’s teammate Megan Rapinoe.

Notably, this year’s list highlights the escalating influence of women’s sports, with female athletes constituting nearly half of the top 50. US Open tennis champion Coco Gauff, at 19, is recognized as the most marketable teenager, securing the 12th position.

The selection process for the 50MM list was the most comprehensive yet, incorporating qualitative research, Social Media Ethnography, and innovative market research perspectives. The assessment criteria included Brand Strength, Total Addressable Market, and ECON – Triple Bottom Line, offering a holistic view of an athlete’s marketability.

“This year’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes list follows the most comprehensive assessment of athlete marketability we’ve ever undertaken in the 14-year history of SportsPro’s annual ranking,” stated Michael Long, editorial director at SportsPro.

Chris Collins, president at NorthStar Solutions Group, emphasized their dedication to adapting and evolving with the dynamic sports industry, aiming to set new standards in understanding an athlete’s marketability. Messi’s global appeal and enduring popularity make him a beacon in the ever-evolving landscape of sports marketing. #MarketabilityChampion #GlobalIcon 🌟”

By Daniel Edu

Lionel Messi has put to rest any rumors of leaving Inter Miami on loan this year or in January by unveiling his schedule covering October to February. Speculation had arisen following Inter Miami’s failure to qualify for the MLS playoffs, suggesting Messi might temporarily move to Saudi Arabia or return to his childhood club, FC Barcelona, until the 2024 MLS season commences.

However, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has quashed such loan move speculations, asserting that the 36-year-old Argentine international is not considering a loan transfer. Messi is expected to enjoy a month-long holiday, much like other footballers.

Even Tata Martino, the coach of the Argentine national team and a former coach of Messi, has denied the notion of Messi returning to FC Barcelona on loan, following FC Cincinnati’s victory over Inter Miami.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shared Messi’s schedule, which outlines his commitments from October to February:

**October:**
– 13th: Argentina vs. Paraguay
– 18th: Peru vs. Argentina
– 19th: Inter Miami vs. Charlotte
– 22nd: Charlotte vs. Inter Miami

**November:**
– 17th: Argentina vs. Uruguay
– 22nd: Brazil vs. Argentina
– Friendlies in Asia with Inter Miami (TBD)

**December:**
– Five weeks of vacation ahead of the MLS season

**January:**
– Pre-season preparations begin

**February:**
– MLS season kicks off

This detailed schedule affirms that Messi has no intention of leaving Inter Miami on loan, as he is fully committed to fulfilling his international and club responsibilities in the MLS.

The ongoing debate about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s footballing supremacy has taken an interesting turn, particularly in light of Sir Alex Ferguson’s perspective.

Messi’s move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) has marked a significant shift in his career, raising questions about whether he could thrive outside of Barcelona, where he had spent his entire professional career.

In contrast, Ronaldo’s journey encompassed multiple countries and clubs, from Sporting Lisbon in Portugal to Manchester United in England, Real Madrid in Spain, and Juventus in Italy. His exceptional performances in each league underscored his versatility and extraordinary skills.

Ferguson’s Opinion on Messi vs. Ronaldo

In 2015, Sir Alex Ferguson, the iconic former manager of Manchester United, weighed in on the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate. He stated, “People say, ‘Who is the best player in the world?’ And plenty of people quite rightly say Messi – you can’t dispute that opinion. But Ronaldo could play for Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Doncaster Rovers… anyone, and score a hat-trick in a game. I’m not sure Messi could do it. Ronaldo’s got two feet; he’s quick, great in the air, he’s brave – Messi’s brave, of course. I think Messi’s a Barcelona player.”

Messi Proves Sir Alex Ferguson Wrong

Lionel Messi’s performance since joining Inter Miami in MLS has shattered the notion that he couldn’t thrive outside of Barcelona. In just 11 matches for the club, Messi has scored 11 goals and provided 5 assists. His impact has been undeniable, and he played a pivotal role in Inter Miami winning the league’s cup, a significant achievement for the club.

What’s particularly remarkable is that Inter Miami, prior to Messi’s arrival, was considered one of the weakest teams in the MLS. However, Messi’s presence and performance have elevated the team’s stature, leading to victories against strong opponents, including the reigning MLS champions, LAFC.

This turn of events suggests that Messi is not only capable of excelling outside of Barcelona but can also have a transformative effect on the teams he joins. It’s a testament to his extraordinary talent and adaptability, proving Sir Alex Ferguson’s previous assessment wrong.

Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or award for a record-extending seventh time at a ceremony in Paris on Monday.

Messi won the last edition of the Ballon d’Or in 2019 before last year’s awards were cancelled due to the pandemic. He also won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and in 2015.

The 34-year-old scored 38 goals in 48 games last season for Barcelona and won the Copa del Rey before captaining Argentina to Copa America glory in July.

That was the first major international title of his glittering career, which had been spent entirely with Barcelona before his tearful departure from the Camp Nou in August and subsequent move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi has played just 11 games for PSG so far, scoring four goals, but he was rewarded as much as anything for his continued brilliance down the years.

He has now won the Ballon d’Or twice more than his old rival Cristiano Ronaldo — between them they have won 12 of the last 13 editions with the exception coming in 2018 when Luka Modric claimed the prize.

Prolific Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski finished second and Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was third in the voting by a jury of journalists from around the world.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, came in sixth.