LIONEL MESSI NETS TWO AS INTER MIAMI STUNS CINCINNAATI IN 8-GOAL THRILLER

Lionel Messi had two goals and an assist, Germán Berterame had the go-ahead goal in the 84th minute and Inter Miami CF rallied for a 5-3 victory over FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, extending its road winning streak to seven.

It is the third time this season the Argentine superstar has had at least three goal contributions in a match. He is second in the league with 12 goals.

Mateo Silvetti evened it at 3-3 in the 79th minute after coming on as a substitute.

Kévin Denkey, Pavel Bucha and Evander scored for Cincinnati. It is the first time in 64 matches since Pat Noonan became coach in 2023 that it lost when it had the lead after 75 minutes.

Messi gave Miami a 1-0 lead at the 24-minute mark after he deflected a shot that went off Cincinnati's Matt Miazga near the Cincinnati goal. Denkey evened it on a penalty kick in the 41st minute.

"Speaking about Leo is truly striking, first because of the person he is, and second because of the player you see on the pitch," Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos said after the game.

Lionel Messi has amassed 61 goals and 42 assists in 65 MLS regular-season appearances. Photo by Chris Carter/MLS via Getty Images

After Bucha put Cincinnati on top in the 49th minute, Messi made it 2-2 six minutes later on a cutback after getting the pass from Luis Suárez.

The 38-year-old Argentina star recorded his 21st multi-goal game in MLS, extending his record for the most such games since his 2023 debut. LAFC striker Denis Bouanga follows in second place with 17.

Evander's in the 64th minute with a right footer from the center just outside the box to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead. Miami though would rally and score the next three goals.

After Silvetti's goal, Miami took the lead off a set piece when Cincinnati's Andrei Chirila collided with goalkeeper Roman Celentano, allowing Berterame to put it into the open net.

Messi appeared to have a hat trick in the 89th minute when his shot went off the post and deflected off Celentano, but it was corrected to an own goal shortly after the match. It would have been Messi's 61st hat trick in all competitions.

"Him [Messi] Rodrigo [De Paul] and [Luis] Suárez are players who truly elevate the MLS. What they accomplished today was brilliant, simply brilliant. To perform that way on a difficult pitch, against a very tough opponent, s  peaks volumes," Hoyos added.

-ESPN News Services

LIONEL MESSI TOPS SON HEUNG MIN AS HIGHEST PAID MLS PLAYERS REVEALED

Lionel Messi tops Son Heung Min as highest paid MLS players revealed
Lionel Messi's salary has been confirmed by Major League Soccer

Getty

Lionel Messi more than doubled his salary to $25m (£18.5m) in his new contract with Inter Miami and earns more more than twice as much as the second-highest-paid player in Major League Soccer, Los Angeles FC's Son Heung Min.

Messi’s new contract includes $25m in base salary and more than $28m in guaranteed compensation, the MLS Players’ Association said in its first release of 2026 salaries. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner earns more than the payrolls of 28 of the other 29 MLS teams.

Miami's $54.6m (£40.4m) is more than $20m (£14.8m) higher than LAFC, which is second at $32.7m (£24.2m), and nearly five times as much as Philadelphia's league-low $11.7m (£8.65m). Miami's payroll is up from $46.8m (£34.6m) at the start of last season.

Total league compensation was $631m (£467m) and the average guaranteed compensation of $688,816 on 16 April was up nearly nine percent from the start of October.

Messi signed a new three-year contract through the 2028 season in October before leading Inter Miami to its first MLS title.

The Argentina captain has 59 goals in 64 regular-season games with Miami, including nine in 11 matches this season. He topped the MLS scoring charts with 29 goals last season and won his second straight MVP award.

His salary figures are for his MLS contract and include any marketing bonus and agents fees but do not account for any additional agreements with the team or its affiliates, or for any performance bonuses.

Lionel Messi tops Son Heung Min as highest paid MLS players revealed
Son Heung Min joined LAFC at the start of the season
Getty

Son is second at $10,368,750 (£7.7m) in base salary and $11.2m (£8.3m) in total compensation, the same as his figures last season. The 33-year-old winger joined LA from Tottenham last August.

Among the other highest earners in the league after former Newcastle creator Miguel Almiron ($7.9m; £5.84m) and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller, who earned $5.15m (£3.81m) after leaving Bayern Munich last summer.

Cincinnati centre-back Miles Robinson ($3.95m; £2.92m) was the top earner among likely inclusions in Mauricio Pochettino’s United States squad for the 2026 World Cup.

- Associated Press

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LIONEL MESSI REACTION TO MLS SUSPENSION REVEALED

Lionel Messi is said to be ‘very upset’ over his MLS ban (Getty)

Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas has revealed that Lionel Messi is ‘extremely upset’ over his Major League Soccer suspension for missing the 2025 MLS All-Star Game.

Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were both voted into the All-Star Game but did not take part in any of the events in Austin, Texas this week.

The former Barcelona duo did not show for the All-Star skills challenge on Tuesday evening and were missing from the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday where they would have played against an equivalent select squad from Mexico’s LigaMX.

MLS rules state that players who miss the All-Star Game without approval from the league are subject to a suspension. On Friday, MLS confirmed that Messi and Alba will serve a one-game ban and are ‘unavailable’ for Inter Miami’s league match against Cincinnati on Saturday night.

‘The reaction was as expected, obviously it was not a positive reaction, they want to compete, they want to play games, that’s what they’re here for – to play and win,’ Mas said on Friday.

‘They understand the magnitude of tomorrow night’s game, so the reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision, who don’t understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension, the rule is what it is, they don’t understand it.

‘I don’t agree with the rule, I have made my thoughts know to the commissioner very plainly. I think it is going to change but that’s neither here nor there, but their reaction was as I expected, they were extremely upset both of them.

Asked if the decision could impact Messi’s future at Inter Miami, Mas replied: ‘He’s very upset, he’s extremely upset, as expected. I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long term.

‘Will it have an impact initially in the player’s perception on how the league rules work? Absolutely, no doubt.’

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement: ‘I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi.

‘I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.

‘Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision. That said, we’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve.’

- Chris Davie

D.C. UNITED VS. CHICAGO FIRE | FULL HIGHLIGHTS

 

LIONEL MESSI AND INTER MILAN DENIED IN FRONT OF RECORD CHICAGO CROWD

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time this season in Major League Soccer as they were held to a goalless draw by the Chicago Fire on Sunday.

Inter Miami were held to a goalless draw by the Chicago Fire.© AFP

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time this season in Major League Soccer as they were held to a goalless draw by the Chicago Fire on Sunday. A club-record crowd of 62,358 packed into Soldier Field for the visit of Lionel Messi and his Inter team to witness a gutsy display from the home side. Chicago, coached by former USA boss Gregg Berhalter, limited Messi and his former Barcelona strike partner Luis Suarez to just a handful of opportunities. The best effort from Messi, who played the full game, came in the third minute when he unleashed a snap shot from outside the box which was denied by a fine, diving save from Fire keeper Chris Brady.

There was no sense of Chicago being overawed by the big crowd at the stadium they share with the NFL's Bears and they went close twice in the opening half with Mauricio Pineda forcing Oscar Ustari into a full stretch save and then Philip Zinckernagel striking the outside of the post from a narrow angle.

Suarez had a great chance to put Miami ahead just before the break when Noah Allen floated a ball in but the Uruguayan puts his shot over the bar.

After the break, Chicago enjoyed plenty of pressure with much of the creativity coming from former Lille winger Jonathan Bamba.

The Fire should have grabbed all three points in the 88th minute when Bamba's shot was parried out by Ustari but Maren Haile-Selassie put the follow-up shot wide.

Bamba was denied again by Ustari moments later but in a frantic finale, Miami also could have stolen a win but, from a promising position, Tadeo Allende dragged his shot wide.

Miami had looked tired after their midweek exertions in their CONCACAF Champions Cup win over Los Angeles FC on Wednesday and coach Javier Mascherano appeared relieved they had picked up a point.

"We came with a very, very big load not only physically, but also mentally. So not losing is always important, too," he said.

"I'll take the positives, which is that we didn't concede a goal. We'd been conceding goals for three games, and today we kept a clean sheet. ... Now, luckily, we have a long week of work, which is a bit of a break for us, after the start of the season we've had," he said.

Former Miami coach Phil Neville saw his improving Portland Timbers team enjoy a 4-2 win at Sporting Kansas City with Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy scoring twice.

Portland are unbeaten in five games and move up to fourth in the Western Conference.

The Columbus Crew fought back from a goal down to enjoy a 2-1 win at St.Louis City.

Brazilian Joao Klauss opened the scoring for the home side before Crew defender Steven Moreira levelled with a side-footed volley.

Uruguayan Diego Rossi secured the win with a low drive from outside the box in the 55th minute.

- Agence France-Presse

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER | MLS | SEASON 30

 

RONALDO EARNS $250M, NAMED FORBES HIGHEST-PAID ATHLETE

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 42 goals in 41 games in all competitions for Al Nassr this season. Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

 Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes' list of highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in his career, and Spanish golfer Jon Rahm moved up to second after his sensational switch to Saudi-backed LIV Golf.

Ronaldo became the world's highest-paid athlete after his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, and Forbes said the 39-year-old's estimated total earnings were in the region of $260 million, an all-time high for a footballer.

His on-field earnings amounted to $200m, and his off-field earnings were $60m thanks to sponsorship deals where brands make use of his 629 million Instagram followers.

Ronaldo said on Wednesday that he intends to continue his football career "at a high level" despite nearly entering his 40s.

Two-time major winner Rahm joined LIV Golf in December in a big-money move that sent shock waves through the sport after media reports said the world No. 5 would be paid at least $300m.

Apart from that guarantee, Rahm has earned $218m and joins Ronaldo as the only two athletes to earn over $200m.

Third on the list is record eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who made a lucrative switch to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, helping him earn $135m.

The 36-year-old has earned $65m in on-field earnings but $70m off it thanks to deals with major sponsors such as Adidas and Apple.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is fourth at $128.2m, and although the 39-year-old American, the first NBA player to score 40,000 career points, is nearing the end of his career, he is set to have one last crack at the Olympics.

Fellow NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo ($111m) of the Milwaukee Bucks rounds out the top five, and France captain Kylian Mbappé has dropped down to sixth ($110m).

Mbappé announced he would be leaving Paris Saint-Germain after seven years in the French capital, where he became the club's leading career scorer, and the 25-year-old is expected to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in the 2024-25 season.

Former PSG star Neymar, who also moved to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al Hilal, is seventh ($108m) despite sitting out the majority of the season with a torn ACL.

French striker Karim Benzema, who also moved to Saudi Arabia, is eighth ($106m) on the list, followed by Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry ($102m).

Lamar Jackson is the only NFL player on the list, in 10th place ($100.5m), thanks to the signing bonus that was negotiated into his new Baltimore Ravens contract last year.

- Reuters 

INTER MIAMI'S MESSI SETS TWO RECORDS, INCLUDING 5-ASSIST GAME

After his record-setting game against New York Red Bulls, Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has 10 goals and 12 assists in just eight games played this season. Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

 Lionel Messi set the Major League Soccer record for most goal contributions and assists in a single match during Inter Miami CF's triumphant 6-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi's six goal contributions and five assists in a game set MLS records. He has now scored and assisted in six consecutive league matches.

"All [goals] were fundamental to the game, but Leo did something historic tonight with five assists and one goal," Inter Miami coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino said.

"But I can't forget Suarez's three goals and Rojas' two goals. The first, well both, but the first Rojas goal was amazing. But because of the technical aspect of Leo on the assist I will choose Luis Suárez's scissor goal as my favorite."

Suárez had three goals and Matías Rojas scored twice as Inter Miami got six unanswered goals to come back from a 1-0 deficit at halftime.

Messi and Suárez now have a league-leading 10 goals each, and the Argentina star also leads MLS in assists with 12.

"It's easier with Leo. Obviously we know each other, and sometimes you'll notice we know where the other is and do movements without having to look at one another. It's good for the team," Suárez said.

Martino and Messi boast a long history together, coinciding at Barcelona and playing against each other while the Herons coach led the national teams of Paraguay and Mexico. Even with years of experience watching Messi, Martino maintains the forward's performance against the Red Bulls will be difficult to witness again.

"Messi had exceptional games in Barcelona, during my time with him," he said. "But I also remember a semifinal with Paraguay in the Copa America in Chile, where he didn't score a goal and he was still the best player on the field. In Barcelona, he had a game against Valencia where we were losing 2-0 and then won 3-2 with three goals from him. And there was another against Sevilla where we were losing 1-0 and then he scored three goals and we won 4-1. I always say this, and it's redundant at this point, but he always does something new. To have involvement in all six goals of a team's 6-2 is something that will be difficult to see again."

Messi has quickly become an integral part of Inter Miami's success. Since he debuted with the Herons in July 2023, Inter Miami is 2-4-6 (WDL) when he does not play and 15-7-3 when he is on the pitch across all competitions.

"He's not the key component just because of this game. He always is. Today, the association between Messi and Luis in the second half worked well, like old times. When they find each other, the team is able to back them up in the game, and when we find space, they are very influential in the game," Martino added.

Miami continues to lead the Eastern Conference table with 24 points in 12 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.