MLS
Messi to make Inter Miami debut next month
Lionel Messi is set to play his first game for Inter Miami on July 21 when the Major League Soccer side host Mexico’s Cruz Azul in their Leagues Cup opener, managing owner Jorge Mas told the Miami Herald newspaper on Tuesday.
Messi and Miami have agreed terms on a deal and are finalising paperwork and visas after the Argentine great’s announcement this month of his intention to join the club.
The 35-year-old will sign a two-and-a-half year deal worth $50 million to $60 million per year with an option to extend until 2026, according to the Miami Herald.
“Absolutely no changes in the roster rules. There are no categories or anything that is being changed to incorporate Lionel Messi onto Inter Miami’s roster,” Mas added.
Having the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on board promises to be a big boost for soccer in the United States, where its popularity trails the other four major North American men’s professional leagues.
Mas defined Messi’s arrival as “the seminal moment” in the history of U.S. soccer as MLS aspires to be one of the best leagues in the world.
“I think there will always be a before and after Messi when we talk about the sport in the United States,” Mas said.
“I have very strong-held belief that we can create in North America and the United States if not the greatest league, one of the top two leagues in the world.
“Lionel Messi is coming to this country to win cups and make a difference. I think it’s incumbent upon myself and my partners in the league, the other owners, to seize the moment.”
News of Messi joining Miami had its first effects in a matter of hours, sending ticket prices soaring 1,034% and increasing the number of followers on the team’s Instagram account from one to eight million.
Miami are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference standings – seven points from ninth place, the final spot which would give them a chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
The Leagues Cup is an annual competition between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX clubs.
-Reuters
MLS
Opponents’ coach saves Lionel Messi from postmatch red card

An unlikely person helped save Lionel Messi from receiving a postmatch red card on Wednesday night — San Jose Earthquakes coach Bruce Arena.
Messi of Inter Miami was irate when he was tackled just outside the box during second-half stoppage time of the 3-3 tie in San Jose. He barked at the officials after the non-call and his frustration increased after the contest ended, resulting in a yellow card.
Messi was still barking at the officials while shaking hands with assorted players on the field when he headed over to further confront the trio. Head referee Joe Dickerson said “walk away now” to the fuming Messi.
But there was Arena standing in the mix with Messi and the three officials, serving as part peacemaker and part negotiator before personally walking Messi away.
“He was obviously not happy, and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to get a red card,” Arena said during his postgame news conference. “I just tried to move him out of the way, because for him to get a red card at the end of the game would have been ridiculous.
“I just wanted to make sure we get him out of there and he’s ready to play the next game for Miami.”
Messi has five goals and three assists in nine MLS matches this season entering Sunday’s home game against Orlando City.
The tie with the Earthquakes gave Inter Miami a point but the club is just 1-2-1 over the last four MLS matches and 1-4-1 across all competitions. Miami has allowed 17 goals in the six matches.
-Reuters
MLS
Lamentation of Lionel Messi’s body guard

Yassine Cheuko’s name might not be familiar but his face certainly should be. He’s Lionel Messi’s minder, the personal bodyguard who sticks to him like glue.
Run onto the pitch in search of a selfie with Messi and Cheuko will be there at the speed of Usain Bolt. Pose a threat, and he’s got the physique to smash an intruder into next week.
Messi enlists Cheuko’s services because they give him peace of mind. Argentina’s finest is prone to extreme levels of attention, and the trend of fans appearing on the field for impromptu photographs has grown over the years.
Cristiano Ronaldo fought a running battle at Euro 2024 — and over in MLS, Messi’s stature is bigger than the competition itself.
This season, though, Cheuko has faded into the background. He’s not as visible at Inter Miami games as he was, no longer marking Messi so tightly or religiously stalking MLS touchlines.
This week, he gave his version of why that was to the social media channel House of Highlights, saying his access to certain matches had been restricted. Here’s a flavour of his remarks:
“There’s a huge problem here. I’m not the problem. Let me help Messi. I love MLS and Concacaf, but we have to work together. I’m not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It’s fine, I understand their decision, but we could do better.”
Cheuko speaking publicly is an event in itself because he rarely gives interviews. He’s long been a mysterious part of Messi’s entourage, an MMA expert who was erroneously cast as an ex-Navy SEAL (rumours that Miami owner David Beckham hired him for Messi weren’t true either).
His activity did extend to an online spat with influencer and wrestler Logan Paul, who claimed Cheuko was sponging off Messi’s reputation. The pair have apparently arranged to fight each other.
Cheuko’s comments, some of which have been removed, generated a slew of reports claiming he had essentially been blacklisted from the MLS scene. So has he been shut out? And if so, why would anybody want to remove Messi’s self-employed line of defence?
MLS franchises and stadiums employ their own security staff, as does Concacaf for competitions such as its Champions Cup. From Messi’s perspective, however, his desire for an extra layer of protection is understandable. His sheer celebrity makes him vulnerable — and Cheuko claims there have been 16 instances of pitch invitations involving the Argentina captain since he joined MLS in 2023.
MLS could not verify that number but in response to a request for comment from The Athletic, it said it had not changed any rules affecting Cheuko. Concacaf declined to comment on the record, but Miami confirmed it was their decision to restrict Cheuko’s movement. He remains a club employee, bound by MLS protocols.
A source inside Miami’s dressing room told our writers that Messi wasn’t happy about this. “Lionel and Yassine are quite upset,” said the source, who requested anonymity over not being authorized to discuss the matter. “Yassine has always been really critical of all of the other security and suggested that if they were good at their jobs, he wouldn’t even be needed.”
It’s possible that Miami are pulling rank. This might be their way of saying that the cult of Cheuko, or specific security for one individual, isn’t working for them. Whatever the truth — and I’d recommend grabbing a coffee and checking out the full story — it’s another layer in the ever-evolving theatre around the world’s greatest footballer.
-The Athletic
MLS
Messi’s bodyguard is banned from touchline at Inter Miami games

Lionel Messi’s bodyguard Yassine Cheuko said he has been banned from protecting the Argentine forward from the touchline during Inter Miami matches.
Cheuko gained widespread recognition after social media videos showed him closely watching the crowd to stop potential pitch invaders from harming the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner.
Friendly – Hong Kong v Inter Miami – Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong – February 4, 2024 Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and teammates sit on the substitute bench during the match as Lionel Messi security guard Yassine Cheuko looks on REUTERS/Lam Yik/File Photo
“They don’t allow me to be on the field anymore,” the bodyguard was quoted as saying by Spanish media.
“I was in Europe for seven years, working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch. I came to the USA and in just 20 months 16 people have already done so. There’s a huge problem here, let me help Messi.”
Major League Soccer said on Tuesday that its protocols regarding team security guards had not changed and multiple sides had designated team security guards that are stationed near team benches on the field.
Inter Miami have been contacted for comment.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY2 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football2 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- WAFCON1 week ago
Super Falcons Land in Morocco, Eye Historic ‘La Decima’ Women’s AFCON Title
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL2 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football