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Gerardo Martino declares Lionel Messi “still the best in the world,” questioning Ballon d’Or criteria as Vinicius Jr. is expected to win

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2 weeks ago

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Gerardo Martino declares Lionel Messi "still the best in the world," questioning Ballon d'Or criteria as Vinicius Jr. is expected to win

Inter Miami boss Gerardo Martino still considers Lionel Messi to be “the best in the world” despite Vinicius Junior’s imminent Ballon d’Or nod.

  • Vinicius Jr. expected to win Ballon d’Or
  • Inter Miami boss Martino admits Brazilian deserves award
  • But still thinks Messi the best on planet

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Real Madrid star is expected to be presented with the award in France on Monday, ending Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s dominance when it comes to the French trophy. There is no doubt Vinicius enjoyed a stellar 2023-24 season, as he helped Real Madrid win a La Liga and Champions League double, but Inter Miami head coach Martino has questioned the criteria of the Ballon d’Or and has labelled his Argentine magician as the best.

WHAT MARTINO SAID

The Miami boss said: “It [the Ballon d’Or] has never been something that caught my attention, nor was it clear to me whether the award is for the best in the world or of the year. Vinicius Junior probably has the merit [of being the best last season], although if you ask me who is the best right now, it’s Messi.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi won his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023 after leading Argentina to their third World Cup crown, but was not even nominated for the 2024 prize. It has been suggested that the 37-year-old has been penalised for joining Inter Miami, but he still looks at the top of his game despite playing in Major League Soccer. So far this season, he has scored 20 goals and tallied a further 11 assists as Miami have made it through to the play-offs.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

After finally settling in the U.S. after a tough spell at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi is looking to push Miami to the limit as they compete for the MLS Cup. Having beaten Atlanta United 2-1 in their first play-off game, Martino’s side will aim to repeat the trick against the Georgia-based side on Friday away from home.

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Inter Miami y Lionel Messi sufren una eliminación sorprendente en los playoffs

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5 days ago

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November 10, 2024

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Inter Miami y Lionel Messi sufren una eliminación sorprendente en los playoffs

Inter Miami sufrió una eliminación impactante en la primera ronda de los playoffs de la Major League Soccer 2024 después de caer 3-2 ante Atlanta United en el juego 3 en el Chase Stadium el sábado por la noche.

Lionel Messi parecía haber rescatado a Miami cuando anotó un empate en la segunda mitad, pero Bartosz Slisz ganó el juego y la serie para Atlanta con un polémico gol de cabeza en el minuto 76. El gol se marcó mientras el defensor de Miami Tomás Avilés estaba lesionado en su propia área penal, con sus compañeros de equipo apelando al árbitro para que detuviera el juego para que recibiera atención médica.

Messi tuvo dos oportunidades para igualar el marcador nuevamente con tiros libres, pero en ambas ocasiones golpeó el balón contra la pared, mientras Miami sucumbía a lo que podría ser la mayor sorpresa en la historia de los playoffs de la MLS.

Liderados por la estrella argentina, Miami entró en los playoffs como el primer sembrado después de establecer el récord de MLS para más puntos en una temporada y reclamar su primer Supporters’ Shield. Sin embargo, cayó corto en dos juegos a uno contra un equipo de Atlanta que terminó noveno en la Conferencia Este, 34 puntos detrás de Miami, y solo se clasificó para los playoffs con una victoria en el último día para asegurar un puesto de comodín.

Los Herons inicialmente derrotaron a Atlanta en el primer juego en casa en Fort Lauderdale, Florida, antes de perder el segundo partido en el Mercedes-Benz Stadium para empatar la serie y forzar un juego decisivo. Y el equipo volvió a luchar contra los Five Stripes el sábado.

Aunque Matías Rojas dio a Miami la delantera en el minuto 17, Jamal Thiare igualó rápidamente el marcador minutos después. Atlanta United luego duplicó el marcador en segundos con un segundo gol de Thiare. Miami, que anotó 79 goles en 34 partidos de la temporada regular, incluyendo 20 cada uno de Messi y Luis Suárez, igualaría el marcador a través de Messi. Pero las debilidades defensivas y una destacada actuación del portero de Atlanta Brad Guzan vieron a un equipo estelar de Miami salir de los playoffs para concluir dramáticamente la temporada 2024.

Atlanta enfrentará a Orlando City en las semifinales de la Conferencia Este.

La derrota continúa las luchas de Miami en los playoffs de la MLS, con el equipo copropietario por David Beckham todavía sin avanzar más allá de la primera ronda. El equipo de South Florida primero participó en los playoffs de la MLS en su temporada inaugural 2020, perdiendo 3-0 ante Nashville en la ronda de repesca. Dos años después, los Herons cayeron 3-0 ante New York City FC en la primera ronda. Miami perdió los playoffs el año pasado después de la llegada de Messi a mitad de año.

Inter Miami, que tiene la nómina más grande de la MLS, ahora se centrará en construir el equipo para la temporada 2025, cuando competirá en la Copa Mundial de Clubes ampliada a 32 equipos. Aunque el contrato de Suárez está programado para terminar a fines de este año, el delantero ha revelado que ha habido negociaciones entre su agente y el club para extender su tiempo en South Florida. El acuerdo de Messi con Miami lo verá jugar una temporada más en el Chase Stadium.

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Lionel Messi’s Brilliance Not Enough: Inter Miami’s MLS Playoff Dreams Shattered

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5 days ago

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November 10, 2024

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Lionel Messi's Brilliance Not Enough: Inter Miami's MLS Playoff Dreams Shattered

In the most stunning upset in MLS history, Atlanta United knocked out Lionel Messi and Inter Miami of the 2024 MLS Playoffs.

Lionel Messi and No. 1 seed Inter Miami have shockingly been eliminated from the 2024 MLS Playoffs in game three of Round One in their Best-of-3 series by Atlanta United. The Five Stripes defeated the Herons 3-2 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, FL Saturday evening, pulling off what may forever be known as the most stunning upset in MLS history.

A brace from Senegalese striker Jamal Thiare in the first half, accompanied by a late winner from Bartosz Slisz in the 76th minute secured Atlanta advancement into the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they will take on Orlando City in the next round.

For Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets – all four of whom are ex-Barcelona superstars – it was a dramatic and stunning performance, as Inter Miami failed to secure a result in front of their home fans.

Champions of the regular season, claiming the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield – while also setting the MLS points record during the campaign, Miami’s season is officially over in the most shocking of twists. The stunning part, though, is the Herons were outclassed nearly all match – even though Messi himself scored a remarkable header.

It was all Atlanta during the first half, with the Five Stripesplaying blistering attacking soccer from the opening whistle. Their first real opportunity arrived in the 14th minute, when Thiare’s close-range attempt went off the post. However, just three minutes later, a break in momentum happened off a Herons‘ counter. After an initial shot from Messi, Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan parried the ball away, but it landed straight at the feet of Matias Rojas, who calmly slotted home to give Miami the opening goal.

But as mentioned, that was just a break in momentum. Straight from the kickoff, Atlanta were back at it, and they leveled things just two minutes later through Thiare – who finally got his goal. Then, after just two minutes again, the Senegalese striker doubled his goal tally to give the away side a 2-1 lead just 21 minutes into the match.

Miami thought they’d drawn level again in the 27th minute through Diego Gomez, but the Paraguay international was deemed to be offside after a brief review.

After going into the half with a 2-1 lead, Atlanta returned out of the tunnel with fire in their eyes once again – but the Herons didn’t give up, either.

The breakthrough for Miami came in the 65th minute, when Messi sent a smashing header into the back of the net to draw level after a Marcelo Weigandt cross, drawing level at 2-2. However, the stalemate lasted just 11 minutes, when Atlanta scored the dagger in the hearts of the South Beach faithful.

Off a brilliant counter-attack, Atlanta maintained possession after a bit of pinball around the box – but during that spell, Miami’s Tomas Aviles suffered a knock and went down in his own box. Occupied by their teammates injury, the Herons were too busy pleading with the official to stop the match to notice a stupendous cross being sent in by Pedro Amador, that found the head of a sprinting Slisz, who hammered home with his forehead.

Game. Set. Match.

Miami threw everyone forward for the final 14 minutes plus stoppage, but it was not enough. The Five Stripes pulled off the unthinkable, defeating the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Miami, and knocking them out of the 2024 playoffs.

The shock of all shocks, the upset of all upsets.

GOAL rates Inter Miami’s players from Chase Stadium…

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Messi’s Next Big Move? Martino Hints at Shocking Changes to Bring a Superstar Reunion to Inter Miami

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1 week ago

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November 7, 2024

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Messi's Next Big Move? Martino Hints at Shocking Changes to Bring a Superstar Reunion to Inter Miami

Could a reunion between Lionel Messi and Neymar happen at Inter Miami? Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, Neymar, is reportedly interested in joining him in MLS, but Miami head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino says league restrictions stand in the way. Martino is urging MLS to overhaul its roster rules to allow more international superstars—like Neymar and others—to join Messi on U.S. soil.

Martino emphasized that current MLS rules, especially those limiting the number of high-salary “Designated Players” (DP), are stifling Inter Miami’s potential to bring top talent alongside Messi. Inter Miami’s DP slots are already filled by Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Leonardo Campana, meaning Neymar could only join if the league were to either add another DP slot or make a major adjustment to its salary cap policies.

Martino’s frustration is clear: MLS’s restrictive structure prevents teams like Inter Miami from maximizing their appeal and competing with global soccer giants. According to Martino, giving teams the flexibility to build deeper, more star-studded rosters around players like Messi could elevate MLS’s profile worldwide. Martino firmly believes that a Messi-Neymar reunion at Inter Miami would not only be a blockbuster for the club but a transformative moment for the entire league.

Neymar’s arrival would undoubtedly inject flair, skill, and a massive following into MLS, further boosting the league’s credibility. Fans would flock to see Messi and Neymar recreate their dazzling chemistry, and Martino believes it would be worth any necessary rule changes.

Martino’s message to MLS is straightforward: if the league truly wants to grow, it’s time to reconsider its restrictions to allow stars like Neymar to join Messi and push MLS onto the world stage. For now, whether Messi and Neymar will get the chance to reignite their partnership in Miami remains uncertain, but Martino’s call for change is a bold step toward making it possible.

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