Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi scored a second-half equalizer and Inter Miami claimed a 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday night.

Miami (19-4-8, 65 points) played to a draw for the third straight time following a five-match winning streak from July 17-Sept. 14.

Charlotte (11-11-9, 42 points) was denied back-to-back victories, which would have marked the club's first winning streak since mid-June. Still, Charlotte FC are unbeaten over their past two matches on the heels of a three-match skid.

A former referee has admitted to have spared Lionel Messi from a second yellow card in return for his match-worn shirt.

Chilean refereee, Carlos Chandía, has confessed to having purposefully avoided giving Messi a booking. And all in the plan to receive the Argentine’s jersey at the end of a match.

Chandía was in charge of the 2007 Copa America semifinal match between Argentina and Mexico, with the Albiceleste blowing past El Tri with a 3-0 scoreline. 20-year-old Messi scored a beautiful lob to seal his country’s spot in the final.

Lionel Messi returned from his injury layoff to score his 13th and 14th MLS goals and contribute his 14th assist, and Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to earn a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night.

Luis Suarez added his team-leading 17th goal in second-half stoppage time to keep him two behind D.C.'s Christian Benteke for MLS Golden Boot and maintain Miami's lead in the Supporters' Shield race.

Lionel Messi is back ladies and gentlemen. At least, that’s the report from Inter Miami and head coach Tata Martino.

The Herons head coach announced that Messi is available for selection as Inter Miami host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

"Yes, he's fine now," Martino said. "Yesterday he returned to training, he's under consideration for (Saturday). We'll define our strategy for him after today's session, but he's available."

The club also posted that he’ll be back for the Union showdown.

Lionel Messi return from injury

For the first time since 2003 neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi have been included in the nominees for the men's Ballon d'Or award, which were announced on Wednesday, with England's Jude Bellingham among the 30 players named.

Portugal's Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, also failed to receive a nomination last year, while Messi, who won for a record eighth time in 2023 and has been nominated 16 times, misses out despite Argentina's Copa America win this year.

Messi and Ronaldo not nominated for Ballon d'Or

Lionel Messi made a cameo in Inter Miami’s training on Wednesday as the Argentina superstar is working his way back from injury.

Messi’s last appearance for Inter Miami was on June 1 and he’s missed Miami’s last eight games due to being away for the Copa América and a ligament injury he suffered during the final of the South American tournament.

Fans will be pleased to see that Messi was back in the training for the first time in months.

Messi returns to Inter Miami training

Messi’s long-awaited return to MLS is taking longer than expected. And Inter Miami aren't exactly telling us when he’s coming back.

Argentina and Inter Miami captain, Lionel Messi, suffered an injury during the 2024 Copa América final last July, forcing the 37-year-old off the pitch with a reported right ankle ligament injury.

Injured Argentina captain Lionel Messi was left out of the squad announced on Monday by the Argentine FA for next month's South American World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia.

The 37-year-old Messi was not included in the 28-man squad following an ankle injury sustained during last month's Copa America final in the United States.

The Inter Miami player is currently recovering at his club.

Messi not playing for Argentina this September