MLS

HONG KONG — Chinese sporting authorities have canceled next month's friendly international between Argentina and Nigeria amid a growing backlash against Lionel Messi's failure to play in an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong last week.

Argentina were scheduled to play Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month before facing the Ivory Coast in Beijing, but Messi's failure to take the field for Inter Miami in Hong Kong on Sunday caused widespread anger among fans.

Inter Miami’s horrible preseason tour had its next devasting chapter on Wednesday in Japan as the Herons lost to J-League side Vissel Kobe 4-3 on penalties, Sergio Busquets suffered a nasty injury and Lionel Messi laughed at a teammate for missing a penalty.

Messi laughing at Robert Taylor’s missed penalty kick was one of the most discussed moments of the friendly game.

Thursday’s “Last Dance” between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami ended up being a Miami massacre as the Saudi club won 6-0, Ronaldo didn’t play and Messi only featured for 15 minutes.

The one big highlight fans are discussing is Al Nassr and former Manchester City center back Aymeric Laporte scoring a ridiculous 70-yard free kick.

FC Dallas acquired Croatian striker Petar Musa from Portugal's Benfica for a club-record fee on Thursday.

Multiple reports said the transfer fee was 10 million Euros, or roughly $10.8 million USD.

Musa, 25, agreed to a four-year contract through 2027 with a club option for 2028.

New FC Dallas signing Petar Musa

The biggest signing in FC Dallas History.

The groups for Leagues Cup 2024 were announced Wednesday featuring 47 teams from MLS and Liga MX.

The monthlong competition will be played in MLS stadiums across the U.S. and Canada from July 26 through Aug. 25.

Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami CF are the defending champions.

The top three finishers will qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be playing against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on Thursday due to a calf injury said Al Nassr head coach Luis Castro. 

Castro said that Ronaldo is in the final stages of his recovery and won’t be able to play in the friendly. Many fans had dubbed the game as the “Last Dance” between two of the greatest soccer players the world has ever seen.

Why is Ronaldo not playing vs Messi’s Inter Miami

Inter Miami’s narrow 4-3 friendly defeat to Saudi Pro League leaders Al Hilal in Riyadh on Monday was highlighted with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi’s first goals of 2024.

What needs to be discussed more is the incredible Messi assist vs Al Hilal in the 55th minute to set up youngster David Ruiz.

The Herons were trailing 3-1 in the second half until the 54th minute when Messi finished confidently from the penalty spot to bring his side within one. A minute later the score would be level thanks to a beauty of a goal.

Lionel Messi assist vs Al Hilal

Every major downtown area in the United States needs a good soccer stadium as a gathering place for footy fans in our opinion. A new $60 million Omaha soccer stadium will now provide Nebraska with one of its own.

USL 1 club Union Omaha only came into existence five years ago and began playing in 2020. In a few short years the Owls have achieved major landmarks and have revealed plans for a state-of-the-art 7,000-seater stadium.

Omaha soccer stadium