On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Lionel Messi removed his captain’s armband in the 72nd minute of last night’s game against Universitario. The match brought concern on the rustiness of Messi, Luis Suárez, and other former Barcelona icons following the MLS break. Whether it’s the new managers Javier Masceranos tactics, the long end of season break or the toll of age, the team needs to regain their form quickly. Their last two matches, both ending in scoreless draws, emphasize the urgency. Penalty shootouts are never a guarantee, and Inter Miami must step up. Fast.
Despite Messi failing to score on Regular Time, Inter Miami edged out Universitario (Peru’s back-to-back champions) with a 5-4 win on penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation at Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru.
Inter Miami’s Julian Gressel, Santi Morales, David Ruiz, Benjamin Cremaschi, and Yannick Bright converted their spot kicks, while Jairo Vélez was the only Universitario player to miss.
Inter Miami: Club World Cup 2025
More importantly, Messi seems intent on sharpening his form ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Inter Miami’s invitation to the tournament has sparked controversy, with critics claiming their spot was undeserved. As a result, all eyes will be on Messi and his team to prove themselves on the grand stage.
Inter Miami’s preseason schedule includes tough matches against champions from Liga MX and the Peruvian league—similar to the level of competition they’ll face in the Club World Cup. So far, they have managed to stay competitive, forcing both games into penalty shootouts. However, merely holding their own won’t be enough, especially with European powerhouses awaiting in the tournament.
In their previous preseason match against Liga MX champions Club América in Las Vegas on Jan. 18, Messi scored a rare headed goal, and Inter Miami forced a shootout with a late equalizer by Tomás Avilés. They went on to win 2-2 (3-2) on penalties.
Inter Miami’s Head Coach
Led by first-year head coach and former Messi teammate Javier Mascherano, whose appointment has drawn huge skepticism from fans and critics alike, Inter Miami faces a crucial period of adjustment. The team’s reliance on aging stars like Messi (37), Suárez (38), Sergio Busquets (36), and Jordi Alba (35) raises questions about their endurance over a grueling season.
Miami’s next friendly against San Miguelito will be a key test for Messi and his team. Can they adapt to the demands of elite competition and prove they belong on the global stage? Or will age have the final say in the twilight of their career.
More must-reads:
- European powerhouses target Bournemouth star following stellar form
- Farewell to Darlington Nagbe, one of MLS's undisputed greats
- The 'Most NFL QB two-rushing-TD games' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Aston Villa set to receive significant financial boost thanks to one clever transfer decision
‘Expect it to be three months’ – Liverpool fans handed worrying Isak verdict amid fitness struggles
Liverpool fans have yet to see the best of Alexander Isak since his deadline day transfer to Anfield, and they’ve been warned that it could take some time before the 26-year-old is operating at 100%. The Swedish striker has been in something of a pre-season mode in his first five weeks with the Reds, having not trained or played with Newcastle over the summer as he sought to force a move to the Premier League champions. He’s scored just once in 312 minutes of action for his new club so far, although he provided a deft assist for Cody Gakpo’s equaliser in the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend, and his national team boss Jon Dahl Tomasson is pleased with how his fitness is progressing. Isak mightn’t be ‘fully fit’ until the winter months Liverpool-focused reporter Lewis Steele took to his YouTube channel with a comprehensive stock-take on the Reds as the season pauses for the October international break, and he shared insider information that Isak mightn’t be ‘fully fit’ until the winter months. The journalist said: “The road to full fitness is a little bit longer than expected, and there’s a report from one of the Newcastle guys, saying they expect it to be three months until he’s fully fit, and that is probably about right. “He’s been at Liverpool now for four or five weeks, so maybe we are now probably another three or four weeks away from seeing Isak at his best. “There have been glimpses – lovely assist on Saturday and he got his goal against Southampton, to be fair he’s got to score that but he had to be in the right place at the right time – but the road to full fitness does seem a bit bumpier than me or Slot predicted. But, as I said with Salah, if he gets a bit of confidence, it should be all good.” Liverpool fans may need to be patient with Isak The lack of a proper pre-season over the summer has prevented Isak from hitting the ground running at Liverpool, and Arne Slot might actually welcome the striker getting valuable minutes on the pitch for Sweden during the international break this month. The 26-year-old has yet to play a full match for the Reds, and the head coach is deliberately taking his time with integrating him into the fold. However, he was left on beyond the 70-minute mark in our last two Premier League games, which suggests that he’s getting discernibly closer to rediscovering full fitness. From Steele’s observations, it mightn’t be until after the November internationals that we see the Swedish marksman at full pelt, but that gives hope to the forward being primed to hit his peak during the unforgiving winter months when the fixture list feels like a relentless slog. Liverpool fans may need to remain patient with Isak as he continues to build up his game-time, and while a £125m transfer fee may leave some pundits and supporters seeking instant gratification, there are signs that he’s gradually getting into the flow that we crave. Let’s just hope that the Swede doesn’t encounter any setbacks over the coming weeks as he aims to repay the Reds’ unprecedented investment in him.
The Big Five: NFL’s biggest surprises of the 2025 season — for better or worse
The 2025 NFL season has already produced unexpected plot twists, with projected playoff teams struggling and preseason afterthoughts becoming the talk of the town. For better or worse, here are the NFL's most surprising teams entering Week 6. 1. Baltimore Ravens (1-4) When things can't possibly get worse for the Ravens, they reach new depths. By losing 44-10 in Week 5 to the Houston Texans, a team it has historically dominated, Baltimore tied for its worst home loss in franchise history. The Ravens made moves this week to improve a putrid secondary, acquiring safety Alohi Gilman from the Los Angeles Chargers for edge-rusher Odafe Oweh and signing free-agent safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but that's unlikely to provide immediate relief. In Week 6, Baltimore hosts the Los Angeles Rams, who have the league's second-ranked pass offense, so QB Matthew Stafford should carve up the defensive backfield with wideouts Puka Nacua (who is on a pace for a record-shattering season) and Davante Adams. Baltimore's offense, which is likely to be without two-time MVP starting quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for the second consecutive week, won't be able to keep up in a shootout. Oddsmakers agree, with Los Angeles an 8.5-point favorite, per ESPN BET. The Ravens appear headed for a 1-5 record entering their Week 7 bye, but they have a much more favorable schedule when they return. According to ESPN's NFL Football Power Index, Baltimore ranks No. 25 in remaining strength of schedule. With a healthy Jackson and an AFC North up for grabs, don't rule out a second-half surge. Yet it's just as likely Baltimore spends all season in a hole it can't get out of. 2. Indianapolis Colts (4-1) The most surprising success story of the season is in Indianapolis, which has surpassed all expectations. Quarterback Daniel Jones, who entered 2025 3-13 in his past 16 starts, is playing like an MVP candidate. Through five games, the No. 6 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft is 107-of-150 (71.3 percent) for 1,290 yards, nine total touchdowns and two interceptions. The offense has generated most of the headlines, and for good reason, but the defense has been a revelation as well. The unit has held three of its first five opponents under 300 yards and forced a turnover in each game. Indy's fortune might not change in Week 6 as it hosts the Arizona Cardinals, who are coming off one of the most embarrassing collapses in recent history, blowing an 18-point lead at home to the previously winless Tennessee Titans. Arizona (2-3) has turned the ball over five times in its past two games. With road games remaining against the Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks, the Colts will soon provide a more accurate gauge on where they stand. But rather than being a Week 1 flash in the pan, Indianapolis looks built for the long haul. 3. San Francisco 49ers (4-1) Colts head coach Shane Steichen's main competition for Coach of the Year should be Kyle Shanahan, who has done a masterful job of leading a hobbled 49ers squad to the top of the NFC West. San Francisco is 3-0 without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, with Mac Jones joining Daniel Jones as one of the year's great reclamation projects. The Niners are also thriving without elite production in the run game from Christian McCaffrey, who is averaging 3.1 yards per carry. San Francisco is already 3-0 in division games, but to maintain its edge in the NFC West, the offense must become more balanced. Through Week 5, the Niners are first in pass offense (290.6 yards per game) but rank last in yards per rush attempt (3.1) and are the league's only team without a rushing touchdown. (Every other team has at least two.) 4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) The Jaguars made the AFC South the only NFL division with two one-loss teams after coming back to win at home against the three-time defending AFC champion Chiefs in Week 5. Jacksonville ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The Jaguars have ascending talent on both sides of the ball, with running back Travis Etienne (443 rushing yards) averaging career highs in yards per carry (5.8) and rush yards per game (88.6). First-year head coach Liam Coen has done a good job of running him in advantageous situations, with Etienne only facing a stacked box (eight or more defenders near the line of scrimmage) on 13 percent of his carries, the sixth-lowest rate among qualifying running backs, per NFL Pro. The defense, led by first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, a former Green Bay Packers linebackers coach/run game coordinator, has more than held up on its end, forcing an NFL-high 14 turnovers. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (four interceptions, one fumble recovery) is one of the league's most improved players. ESPN's FPI gives the Jaguars a 75.4 percent chance to reach the playoffs, the third-highest odds in the AFC, trailing the Buffalo Bills (92.2 percent) and Colts (85 percent). 5. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4) "I'm processing it poorly to tell you the truth," first-year Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, 74, told reporters after his team's 40-6 trouncing at the Colts last Sunday. "I did expect to win right out of the chutes," Carroll added. Technically, Las Vegas did, defeating the New England Patriots (3-2) in Week 1. But four consecutive losses have dimmed hopes of a playoff run and instead raised significant questions, particularly at quarterback. Geno Smith, acquired in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason, has regressed significantly after a strong three-year run as Seahawks starter. Through five games, Smith leads the NFL in interceptions (nine), throwing one on 5.5 percent of his pass attempts, more than double his rate from 2022-24 (2.1 percent). Instead of contending for a postseason spot, the Raiders, a longtime doormat, are closer to the No. 1 pick. Las Vegas is projected to end the season with the league's fifth-worst record, per ESPN. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Bengals' Zac Taylor explains shocking Joe Flacco move for Packers game
Roughly 24 hours after outsiders learned that the Cincinnati Bengals were acquiring veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the Cleveland Browns, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor confirmed that Flacco will start over Jake Browning when 2-3 Cincinnati plays at the Green Bay Packers (2-1-1) this coming Sunday. While speaking with media members, Taylor explained that somewhat surprising decision. Why Zac Taylor believes he can get Joe Flacco "up to speed quickly" "He's already spent a lot of time meeting with us, getting up to speed, so I feel really good about where he's at," Taylor said about Flacco, per Dave Clark of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "You just know him. ...Very comfortable with his style, concepts he's good at, things that we do. All of the terminology, there's a carryover, more so than I would have anticipated. So I feel like we can get him up to speed quickly." Flacco lost three of four September starts with the Browns before the Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player was benched in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. According to Pro Football Reference stats, Flacco began Wednesday ranked last in the NFL among qualified players with a 60.3 passer rating for the ongoing season. Additionally, he's 28th out of 32 signal-callers with a 36.7 adjusted QBR. That said, Flacco is a 40-year-old who has seen every defensive concept an opposing coordinator could and will throw his way. Back on Sept. 21, he helped the Browns earn a 13-10 win over the Packers in downtown Cleveland. Zac Taylor likes that Joe Flacco faced this Packers defense in September "It's different than a young quarterback coming in, trying to learn the system and understand what a defense is trying to do to try to challenge you," Taylor added about his decision to start Flacco versus the Packers. "Not only that, but he's played Green Bay this year, so he's already gone through a week of prep. ...Now the communication and the weekly rhythm is maybe different and unique, but he's already prepared for this opponent. So he gets a chance to refresh himself on that, while at the same time just learning our system and our terminology...and how we operate." Shortly after Taylor made his comments, ESPN BET had the Bengals listed as massive 14.5-point underdogs against Green Bay. Perhaps that line and the fact that he was discarded by Cleveland will give Flacco some extra motivation heading into the showdown that will take place at Lambeau Field.
Steelers' Aggressive Trade Plans Get Revealed For 2025 And Beyond
The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have total control of the AFC North, and they can strengthen their iron grip on the division with a Week 6 win against the Cleveland Browns. There are additionally plenty of options for the team to trade for in an attempt to increase their chances of making a deep playoff run. However, they have also made it very clear that the plan is to acquire more draft picks to trade up for a possible franchise quarterback, and/or get more chances at finding quality players -- especially in the middle rounds. As the trade deadline approaches, they seem to be at a crossroads. During his weekly Q A chat, insider Gerry Dulac was recently asked about those plans and what General Manager Omar Khan would do before the trade deadline hits. He gave a very straightforward answer to the mindset of Khan and the front office at this point. "They are playing for now, not for 2026 or 2027," Dulac said. "They'll worry about those seasons then." Dulac was also asked a lot about tight end Pat Freiermuth, who fans have speculated could be on the move due to his lack of usage. Any question about him possibly being shipped out of town or maybe being in trouble with the team was answered with just one word: "Nope." From what Dulac has seen, it seems like there is no interest in trading away their starting tight end yet, or anyone else that could be seen as expendable. From that, it's safe to say that the Steelers will be looking for ways to improve the team for right now. Khan has said before that he is always looking for some way to make his squad better. Of course, they are still in the pick business, so the most logical expectation is that Pittsburgh will only make a trade if they don't have to give up a lot in assets, especially if they can keep said player for more than just 2025. Potential Trade Options For The Steelers The Steelers do love their versatile players, especially on defense. They do need help in the trenches, so they could take a quick flyer on someone like Sebastian Joseph-Day, who has been a defensive tackle, a defensive end, and even a nose tackle throughout his career. The starters on the interior defensive line have done well so far for Pittsburgh, but it's always good to have an insurance piece on the team in case something goes wrong. There is one perfect option for Khan and the Steelers offensively. Wide receiver Chris Olave checks all the boxes that Khan is likely looking for: cheap, efficient, could be extended, and an overall quality player. Just because the Steelers claim to be currently comfortable with their situation at wideout, doesn't mean that it won't hurt to possibly get a steal of a trade to help the short and long-term future. As of now, it seems like wide receiver and interior defensive line would be the Steelers' top priorities, but if another high-ceiling player somehow becomes available for a low price at most other positions, it would not be too surprising to see them make a move to bring them on. Khan has never been one to stand pat and stick with what he has in front of him. It seems like both Freiermuth and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will stick around, even if people believe that they are expendable. Of course, they could always trade them away after the season is over to accrue more draft picks. It just likely won't happen during the 2025 campaign, as they want every quality player possible to finally break the streak of playoff futility.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
