All posts by n8rngtd.top

GOAL takes a look back at the on and off-field moments and stories that defined the icon's first month in Miami

The thing you notice the most is the smile; for the past month or so, it hasn't really left Lionel Messi's face. You can see it at his unveiling, an event that would have been a rain-soaked disaster if held for any other player. You've seen it after each of the nine goals spread across six games as he's celebrated with friends old and new. And that smile has perhaps been biggest in the moments involving his three sons, who themselves are being introduced to a whole new way of life in South Beach.

For the first time in a little while, it seems that Messi is having fun, and why wouldn't he be? What a month it's been in Miami.

With the Argentine leading the charge, Inter Miami have reached the Leagues Cup final, where the club will look to win its first-ever trophy. Since Messi's arrival, their fortunes have completely turned around. They were, and still technically are, a last-place club in MLS but, with Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Tata Martino now involved, Miami feel like one of the biggest clubs in the world.

It's been a wild ride, and it's only been a few weeks. Messi is just getting started but, in just one month, he's already created enough stories and moments to last a lifetime.

• Joe Raedle/Getty Images
  

  The rain-soaked arrival

  It was supposed to be dream moment, but even Messi couldn't stop the rain. On the night of his introduction, the South Florida skies opened up, as they tend to do. It was perhaps the perfect introduction to the state: welcome to Florida, meet the rain, Leo.

  It would have been easy for the weather to quite literally rain on Messi's parade, but Jorge Mas, the man most crucial in bringing him to Miami, saw it a different way.

  “Tonight is a gift and celebration to the city that opened its arms to my family," Mas said. "Tonight we are doing this in the rain. This is holy water!

  A wild proclamation, but also a fitting one when assessing Messi's god-like status all over the world. Despite that rain, fans made the pilgrimage to DRV PNK Stadium not to see Messi play, but to see him speak and wave a bit. Sergio Busquets was there, too, of course, but come on now… this was about Messi.

  That rain-soaked night will be remembered as his introduction to American soccer, albeit an imperfect one.

  Mas understood the significance: "This is our moment! Our moment to change the football landscape in this country. When David and I first met and we dreamt of what Inter Miami represents, it started off with the freedom to dream. And we dreamed of not only bringing elite players and the best players but the best player to ever don boots — and his name is Lionel Andres Messi.”

Advertisement

• Twitter
  

  A dose of normality

  You've seen the pictures by now: Messi out in public doing his shopping. It's like seeing an alien walking among the general population. Who knew that the Messi's liked Froot Loops so much?

  Since his now famous appearance at Publix, we haven't quite seen him out in public as much, aside from a series of dinner photos with Beckham and his long-time Barca team-mates. Part of that, of course, is due to the flurry of Leagues Cup games.

  Still, Miami and the U.S. offer Messi something he never quite had during his time in Barcelona and Paris: privacy. It's something that has called many players before to the United States. Steven Gerrard once said how much he appreciated simply walking up and down the Los Angeles beach with his family, having spent the entirety of his adult life as an icon in Liverpool.

  Messi, unfortunately, doesn't quite have that luxury. He is a different level of famous, after all, which is why he is constantly accompanied by a bodyguard wherever he goes. Messi may be able to make the odd Publix trip, but he'll never be able to live like a normal person.

  The small doses, though, are probably a nice change of pace for a man who has been an icon all over the world for as long as he can probably remember.

  “From the very beginning ever since I arrived the welcome was impressive," Messi said. "It’s a city with many Latinos and that’s why everything is a bit easier. Latino people are close, they show their emotions all the time, they show their sentiments and their care, and proximity. That’s the most important thing. It’s very healthy, and helps acclimate yourself.

  “People in this city and this club have made it easy for us," he added. "The fans, the people that I meet every day on the streets in the city we are now, it’s a spectacular city, and that’s why I can live with happiness."

• Getty Images
  

  Feeling loved again after a rough time in Paris

  It was widely reported and has been admitted as fact: Messi was not happy in Paris.

  His relationship with the club and its fans was always complicated. By the end, things had grown somewhat toxic as Messi and Paris Saint-Germain failed to live up to their own lofty expectations by winning the Champions League.

  “I came here in Miami looking for this, to be able to enjoy again as I was doing all my career after two complicated years [with PSG]," he told . "And luckily, me and my family are in the place where we are happy, not only for football, but for day-to-day life also.”

  He harped on that point further in his press conference later on Thursday, adding: “Me going to Paris wasn’t something I wanted. I didn’t want to leave Barcelona and that was from one day to another. I had to get adjusted to a completely different place from where I had been all my life, both from the city standpoint and sporting standpoint, and it was hard. It’s the complete opposite of what’s happening now, thank God.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Introduction to team-mates

  Inter Miami's players all had a similar reaction from the moment they realized what had happened: 'how the hell did sneak into the WhatsApp group?!'

  That, somehow, happened in the hours leading up to his unveiling. Messi, the most famous footballer on the planet, had entered the team group chat under the radar.

  It was in that group chat that striker Leonardo Campana asked for any extra tickets to the event. A new number soon popped up saying he'd handle it. It was Messi.

  "I didn't even know whether Messi was in the group chat yet," said DeAndre Yedlin, "But he popped up straightway and said, 'How many do you need though?'. Straightaway like that.

  "From there I was just like 'Woah!' You know what I mean? Like straight off the bat, they maybe know each other for three days or something. But to show that generosity is a great fresh example of how he (Messi) is."

  In the weeks since, Messi has worked hard to endear himself to his team-mates. He's seemingly developed quite a bond with Josef Martinez, a player he's battled with in CONMEBOL when facing Venezuela. Robert Taylor, a Finnish international who was once languishing in England's lower leagues, is now his go-to running mate. When Ian Fray suffered another catastrophic ACL injury, Messi paid tribute to him, despite knowing him for just a matter of days. And when Philadelphia Union enforcer Jose Martinez took out Noah Allen late in Inter Miami's win, it was Messi who was immediately in his face to defend his new colleague.

  He, of course, already has a relationship with the likes of Alba and Busquets, but Messi has seemingly worked hard to make sure to develop a bond even with his lesser-known team-mates.

  So, when Inter Miami showed up to the field all wearing new club-branded headphones, it was easy to figure out where they'd come from.

  “You have to ask Messi," Yedlin said. "Messi got them for the team. I don’t know if he bought them, but he gave everyone headphones."

The Argentine struck two quick-fire goals to get Pep Guardiola's side back on the path to a 3-1 victory after Osman Bukari's shock opening goal

When Erling Haaland is having an off day, Manchester City fans can thank their lucky stars for Julian Alvarez, who guided the Champions League holders towards a 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade after an almighty scare on the opening night of their European title defence.

Despite utterly dominating Red Star in a first half in which Haaland hit the crossbar and missed two more opportunities, the visitors took a shock lead right before half-time with a goal from out of nowhere by Osman Bukari, initially called offside then awarded by VAR.

City were 45 minutes from becoming only the second team in Champions League history to lose their first game as competition holders, but their fears were quickly alleviated by a beautiful goal by Alvarez, who steered a Haaland pass into the net with the lightest of touches.

Alvarez then put City in front with a free-kick which Red Star 'keeper Omri Glazer really should have kept out, before Rodri, the hero of the Champions League final in Istanbul, fittingly had the final say with a lovely piece of skill and curling finish.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

• Getty Images
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ederson (6/10):

  Had little to do overall but was quick to come out of his area in the second half and thwart a Red Star break, even attempting a backheel in the middle of the pitch.

  Kyle Walker (7/10):

  Alert, physically dominant and hugely influential. Tried to score a couple of times and put the ball in the net but was offside. Really justifying his bumper new contract.

  Ruben Dias (5/10):

  Played Bukari onside for Red Star's shock goal. Other than that he was as solid as usual, using his strength to his advantage.

  Nathan Ake (6/10):

  Dominant in defence and contributed his fair bit in attack.

  Sergio Gomez (4/10):

  Got forward a lot but rarely contributed much. Kept misplacing passes or making the wrong decision. Taken off before the hour-mark.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (5/10):

  Lacked a bit of spark before being replaced late in the first half with an injury problem.

  Rodri (8/10):

  Outstanding from start to finish, even after picking up an early yellow card. Threatened to score for most of the game and finally did so with a classy dribble past a defender and exquisite finish.

  Matheus Nunes (6/10):

  A solid full debut aside from the fact he missed the header which led to Red Star's lightning strike. Otherwise slotted straight into Guardiola's system, although could have shown a bit more ambition in an attacking sense.

• Getty
  

  Attack

  Phil Foden (8/10):

  Energetic, reactive and instinctive. Kept feeding Alvarez and Haaland and was always on hand to win the ball back.

  Erling Haaland (6/10):

  His finishing was very disappointing but he compensated with a marvellous assist for Alvarez's first goal.

  Julian Alvarez (9/10):

  Quickly turned the game on its head. His first goal was a thing of beauty, a wonderfully subtle finish after a dream pass from Haaland. His second had a bit of luck to it but he took a chance by going straight for goal and testing the weak Glazer. Could have had a hat-trick.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Subs & Manager

  Jeremy Doku (6/10):

  Gave City some extra thrust and a sense of unpredictability.

  Manuel Akanji (6/10):

  Gave his side extra balance after replacing the erratic Gomez.

  Oscar Bobb (N/A):

  Got his Champions League debut by coming on in the 84th minute. Looked exciting if raw.

  Kalvin Phillips (N/A):

  Only came on in the 84th minute.

  Rico Lewis (N/A):

  Only came on in the 84th minute.

  Pep Guardiola (7/10):

  Gave chances to Gomez and a full debut to Nunes and very reactive with his substitutes.

Ashley Young was sent off during the Merseyside derby, as the Everton defender received a second yellow card for scything down Liverpool's Luis Diaz.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Young sent off
• Two bookable offences
• Fixture with the most red cards in the PL

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Young dived into a challenge on Diaz when already on a yellow card, having previously tripped the winger, and was shown a second yellow card. The booking came after Young had heroically denied the forward with a brilliant block in the penalty area, but he went from hero to zero at Anfield.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Everton subsequently went into half-time with 10 men, and it is another example of the Merseyside derby throwing up flashpoints. In total, there have been 29 red cards in clashes between Liverpool and Everton, eight of which have been given to the Toffees.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The last player to be sent off for two yellow cards against Liverpool was Reds legend Sadio Mane, when he was playing for Southampton.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Everton will hope to grind out a result even with 10 men – they went into half-time level at 0-0.

Chelsea are not in talks to buy the former Earls Court Exhibition Centre site despite reports claiming they hoped to relocate from Stamford Bridge.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chelsea not in talks over purchase
• Blues exploring possible options over stadium
• May choose to leave Stamford Bridge site

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  reports that the Blues have not entered into any negotiations over the old Earls Court Exhibition Centre site, despite it being frequently touted as the best possible option for the club were they to leave Stamford Bridge. The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) denied that Chelsea would be able to buy the site in March.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea's future at Stamford Bridge remains somewhat uncertain. There have been suggestions that Clearlake Capital, fronted by Todd Boehly, could decide to redevelop their current home at great expense, although the Blues would need to ground-share with Fulham at Craven Cottage or elsewhere to facilitate the building work.

  There is also the potential that they simply build a new stadium at a fresh site, and continue playing at Stamford Bridge while that work was completed, but such a move would need to be voted through by 75 percent of the 14,000 members of the Chelsea Pitch Owners organisation.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  The ECDC issued a statement, reading: “We categorically deny that there are any talks taking place with Chelsea FC about a stadium relocation to the Earls Court site.

  “After years of consultation with the local community, we have updated our masterplan proposals and today release updated plans.“Our scheme will deliver 4,000 homes, space for 12,000 jobs, acres of public space and cultural venues, restaurants and community facilities.

  “There is no football stadium in the Earls Court masterplan.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  The club will return to Premier League action on November 25 at St James' Park against Newcastle. They will next play at Stamford Bridge on December 3, against Brighton.

Manchester United have been dealt another injury blow this week with goalkeeper Andre Onana forced off during Cameroon's match against Mauritius.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Onana limped off in Cameroon game
• Unknown how serious his injury is
• Marcus Rashford taken off in England match

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The shot stopper was taken off with less than 10 minutes left in his team's 3-0 win in World Cup qualifying on Friday after suffering with discomfort. After limping off the field, Fabrice Ondoa took his place.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The injury will come as a big concern to United manager Erik ten Hag given the Red Devils' long list of fitness issues. Striker Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen both had to withdraw from international duty after sustaining injuries. Meanwhile defenders Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia are all out and midfielder Casemiro is missing until January.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The injury to Onana is not the only issue United to have cropped up on Friday, as Marcus Rashford was also forced off during England's win against Malta. The forward collided with Three Lions team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold at Wembley.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?

  It is not yet known if Onana will feature for Cameroon when they meet Libya on Tuesday. Man Utd are back in Premier League action when they travel to Everton on Sunday, November 26.

It was a "mental" 90 minutes as Liverpool managed a 4-3 victory against Fulham on Sunday, match-winner Trent Alexander-Arnold said.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Liverpool played out wild 4-3 win
• Reds looked set to lose to Fulham
• Alexander-Arnold scored late winner

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Alexander-Arnold scored a late goal to secure the three points for the Reds, who looked set to lose 3-2 just two minutes before his strike. After substitute Wataru Endo pulled the home team level, the right-back, who found the net with a great free-kick that went down as a Bernd Leno own goal to open the scoring in the first half, lashed in a minute later to spark wild celebrations from his side and their fans.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

  "Mental, to be honest. Game of ups and downs," he said to when asked for his reaction to the match "Leading then getting clawed back twice then obviously losing with five minutes to go, get the equaliser and then get the winner. It's an unbelievable game full of emotion, but just very, very happy to get the win and be able to get it over the line."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The England international sparked the game into life with his free-kick shot that struck the bar and went in off of the goalkeeper's back. But Fulham managed to pull level before Alexis Mac Allister's wonder goal brought Liverpool ahead again. Just before half-time, though, Kenny Tete nudged in another equaliser and then it looked like the visitors would go on to win as Bobby De Cordova-Reid headed in after 80 minutes. Endo and Alexander-Arnold ensured their team avoided an upset on home soil, however, as Liverpool went on to make it four games unbeaten.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Reds will hope to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Sheffield United on Wednesday. The Blades host Liverpool off the back of a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Burnley and sit bottom of the table with just five points from 14 matches.

Inter Miami have officially landed Argentine talent Federico Redondo for a fee of $8m from Argentinos Juniors.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Redondo officially joins Miami
• Signs via U22 initiative
• Midfielder son of Real Madrid great, Fernando

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 21-year-old officially inked a new deal through 2027 with the Herons, who have a club option for the 2028 season. He will not, however, take up a coveted Designated Player spot – and instead is joining via U22 initiative.

  He will also be replacing winger Facundo Farias on the roster, as a season-ending injury player replacement, meaning his contract will not go against the Herons total.

Advertisement

• WHAT INTER MIAMI SPORTING DIRECTOR CHRIS HENDERSON SAID

  “We’re pleased to bring an exciting young midfielder like Federico to Inter Miami. He’s a very promising player who is sharp with the ball at his feet, and shows awareness out of possession. We believe in his potential, but also feel he will immediately be a strong addition to our squad as we look to build on our successes in 2024,” said Chris Henderson, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director.

• Getty
  

  WHAT REDONDO SAID

  “I’m very happy to join a club that is growing so much. It’s a great opportunity to share the pitch with top players,” said Redondo. “I’m looking forward to integrating in the group with my teammates. We have to go step by step but always dream big.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Redondo – son of Real Madrid great Fernando – has been likened to be a regeneration of Sergio Busquets in the midfield… who he will of course share the pitch with at Inter Miami.

  The midfielder will instantly boost the Herons odds of success in 2024, while also being a key addition to their youthful core moving forward. Also an integral part of the Argentina U23 international squad, Redondo will be headed to Paris this summer for the Olympic Games with La Albiceleste.

  The 21-year-old is the next Argentine star at South Beach, and Herons fans are buzzing over his potential.

  Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

Luis Suarez looks to be in “real pain” at Inter Miami, with former USMNT star Taylor Twellman claiming to “feel bad” for the Uruguayan striker.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Veteran striker did consider retirement
• Nursing long-standing knee problems
• Yet to find a spark in the United States

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 37-year-old striker admitted when bringing a spell in Brazil at Gremio to a close in late 2023 that retirement had crossed his mind as he continues to battle long-standing knee issues. He was, however, talked into taking on one last challenge in the United States.

  Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Suarez has been reunited with form Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi in Florida, with their potentially devastating partnership in the final third tipped by many to carry the Herons towards more major honours in 2024.

• Getty
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Suarez has, however, found the going tough through pre-season and the start of the new MLS campaign. He has looked some way short of his fearsome best, with it suggested that fitness problems are preventing him from performing at anywhere close to 100 per cent.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT TWELLMAN SAID ABOUT SUAREZ

  Ex-United States international Twellman, who is now an MLS pundit, is among those who see Suarez as a shadow of his former self. He flagged a post on social media that read: “I was literally just wondering how the hell Luis Suarez won MVP of the Brazilian league last year and then @TaylorTwellman mentions that it doesn’t even look like the same player based on his limited movement.”

  Twellman, who had just seen Suarez play 67 minutes of a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy, responded by saying: “He looks like he’s in real pain and I’m not kidding. Feel bad for him.”

Crystal Palace journalist Matt Woosnam thinks another loan move is a possibility for Conor Gallagher next season. 

The lowdown

Chelsea midfielder Gallagher has now come to the end of his season-long loan at Crystal Palace.

The Englishman played the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Palace rounded off the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

It was his 33rd start from 38 matches, underlining his value to Patrick Vieira and the Eagles.

Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea must now decide whether to integrate Gallagher, who has also spent time on loan at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion, into their first team next season.

The latest

Speaking in The Athletic’s Palace match-day discussion on Sunday evening, Woosnam raised doubts about Gallagher’s immediate prospects at Chelsea.

He wouldn’t be ‘surprised’ if the Blues sanctioned another temporary exit.

“I’m not sure Gallagher gets into that Chelsea team, but then perhaps they’ll set up in a way that suits him better than the slightly more defensive outlook Palace have had in the last couple of months that doesn’t play to his strengths,” he said.

“Would not be surprised to see him back out on loan somewhere.”

The verdict

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has already publicly expressed the club’s desire to re-sign Gallagher for the 2022/23 season.

And that’s absolutely no surprise in light of his contribution this season. Gallagher finished the campaign second in Palace’s goalscoring charts with eight (behind Wilfried Zaha on 15) and was also runner-up in the assist rankings behind Michael Olise (who had eight to his five).

Chelsea will surely have encouraged by these returns, but there’s some pretty daunting competition at Stamford Bridge.

Tuchel primarily operated with just two central midfielders in 2021/22, and the likes of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are already jostling for those positions.

Kovacic is Chelsea’s former player of the year, while Kante and Jorginho have both been nominated for the Ballon D’Or.

If Gallagher winds up behind them in the pecking order, his development may slow down.

In other news, this Palace stalwart may leave in the summer. 

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing PSV Eindhoven’s defensive midfielder Ibrahim Sangare during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Midfielder on the agenda?

Jurgen Klopp is sure to dip into the transfer market this summer as he looks to ensure that his Reds side remain in touch with Manchester City in the Premier League next season.

Midfield is certainly an area which could do with some fresh blood, with a number of Liverpool’s incumbents now in their 30s, including James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Thiago.

Monaco youngster Aurelien Tchouameni has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield, and now another rumour is doing the rounds.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-33/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Latest: Liverpool eye up Sangare move

According to Voetbal International [via Sport Witness], Liverpool have sent scouts to watch Sangare in action for PSV in recent weeks as the club’s FSG ownership weigh up a potential summer move.

The Ivorian has a release clause of €37.5m (£31.6m) which can be triggered at any time, and the Reds are believed to have him ‘firmly in their sights’.

The Verdict: Ideal Fabinho backup?

While Henderson can do a good job in place of Fabinho in the number six role, the skipper is 32 this summer. Sangare could represent a long-term deputy in that position, having been described as ‘extraordinary’ by former coach Aad de Mos.

The 17-cap Ivory Coast international has averaged 3.3 tackles and 2.6 interceptions per game across 29 Eredivisie appearances this season, highlighting his off-the-ball tenacity. Both of those averages are better than what anyone at Anfield has managed this term.

At 24, Sangare could mature into someone who eventually usurps Fabinho at the base of Liverpool’s midfield, perhaps even partnering Tchouameni for the Reds in a few years’ time.

In other news, a fresh update has emerged regarding one Liverpool superstar’s future. Read more here.