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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:
- No Messi, no problem: MLS thumps Liga MX in All-Star Game
- Who is 'Little Motor,' the star midfielder expected to join Lionel Messi in Miami?
- The 'Most NBA games played' quiz
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'Been told very firmly' – Matt Law drops big Thursday lunchtime Chelsea incoming transfer update
‘Held fresh talks’: Man Utd already eyeing up £60m transfer target after Mbeumo
Manchester United are sizing up a potential approach for Ollie Watkins amidst INEOS’ desperate quest to sanction a centre-forward’s arrival. As far as prolific strikers go, the Aston Villa talisman certainly fits into that bracket, and the fact he’s a ready-made, Premier League-proven frontman means he can seamlessly slot into Ruben Amorim’s starting XI next season. United’s interest in Ollie Watkins: The state of play Ben Jacobs has today revealed that the Red Devils have ‘held fresh talks’ over a move for the 18-capped England star. The only factor preventing them from materialising their interest is that Villa, currently, are demanding £60 million to let go of their first-choice No.9. In the event they drop their price in the latter stages of the window, United could well test their resolve. It’s thought the Midlands outfit are under increasing pressure to sanction outgoings in order to create more breathing space around the PSR restrictions, and Watkins is undoubtedly one of their most valuable and profitable assets. Additionally, Villa would be more open to selling the 29-year-old if they had a replacement lined up, with Jacobs adding that Nicolas Jackson is one player ‘appreciated’ by the key decision-makers at Villa Park. How has Watkins fared in recent years? In regards to Watkins’ numbers, he boasts a hugely impressive 87 goals and 42 assists in 223 matches in the five years he’s spent with Villa; 75 of those goals and 36 assists have come in the Premier League alone, where he’s racked up 184 appearances in claret and blue. His most prolific top-flight campaign came in 2023/2024, during which he found the back of the net 19 times and created a further 15 goals to play an integral role in Villa securing Champions League qualification for the first-ever time.
Yankees cannot afford to trade their 'left-handed Aaron Judge'
It’s been a busy summer for New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, having watched several pitchers and the team’s primary third baseman fall victim to lengthy IL stints. Cashman has at least three holes to repair, but who can the Yankees deal to land some worthwhile replacements? Among New York's trade chips that have been frequently mentioned as of recent is outfielder Spencer Jones. Whether for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez or Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, several rumors have suggested a package involving Jones, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect and purported “left-handed Aaron Judge.” Up until this season, Jones had struggled to live up to his monstrous expectations, which made him rather undesirable in prior trade discussions. But whereas many teams and writers saw him as a hard pass in trade talks over the offseason, Jones has now become a hot commodity. Off to a scorching start in Triple-A (.408/.470/.901 with 10 home runs in just 17 games entering Wednesday), Jones has compiled a head-turning .313/.412/.683 stat line with a career-high 26 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 246 at-bats across Double and Triple-A this season. With his awe-striking power finally producing some results, Jones has become a top-of-the-line trade chip. However, this doesn’t mean the Yankees should consider trading him. Why not? Center field-related uncertainty Yankees’ center fielder, Cody Bellinger, has played well in pinstripes this year which raises the topic of his player option for next season. In addition, since he is getting paid more than his option is worth next year, chances are he decides to try the free-agent market. If Bellinger does leave, center field will be wide open as Trent Grisham will also likely test free agency after this season. Unlike Jones, neither Judge nor Jasson Dominguez have displayed the aptitude necessary to capably play the position. The Yankees’ shallow depth will also prove to be a challenge for finding a replacement. If Bellinger does stay, he can slide into first base while Jones takes over at center. But whether he decides to stay or go, Bellinger will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Trade value Jones’ numbers are on fire, but his trade value has yet to catch up, due to his unstable track record. Nonetheless, using a prospect of Jones’ caliber (along with others) to land someone like Keller (career 4.43 ERA), for example, or any similar player would equate to mismanagement. Given his torrid stretch this year, there is a good chance Jones lives up to his stunning potential. Selling him for a fraction of his future worth would be regrettable. Yankees’ current situation The Yankees are without Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt for the year and many others sit on the IL alongside them. This deficiency could be offset by acquiring some rentals, namely Suarez. However, as the risk with all rentals, Suárez will likely test free agency at the end of the season. Unless the Yankees extend or sign him, he won’t share the same side of the field with Cole or Schmidt (while active). If they can land Suarez without trading Jones, all would be well for the Yankees. If not, this could be a case of mortgaging the future to improve a very gloomy present. In the end, it may be better to have Jones’ bat backing Cole over the next three years rather than Suárez’s bat backing Will Warren this year. If the Yankees are dealing for rentals at the deadline, it’s best to leave Jones out of it.
Penn State QB Drew Allar gets candid about team's struggles against top opponents
It is no secret that Penn State has struggled to win big games under head coach James Franklin. While the Nittany Lions have finished with double-digit wins in six of the past nine seasons, including a 13-3 season in 2024 that culminated with a loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals, they have struggled to beat quality opponents. Quarterback Drew Allar, who enters the 2025 season with the fifth-shortest odds (+1600) to win the Heisman Trophy, per FanDuel, was honest about Penn State's lack of success during his appearance at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday. "We definitely need to get over the hump," Allar said, per ESPN's Jake Trotter. "There's no question about it." Penn State is only 4-20 against top-10 opponents under Franklin, although the three losses last season were all by one score. Allar is 23-6 as a starter, but threw a costly interception against Notre Dame that ultimately led to the game-winning field goal from the Fighting Irish. With experience on its side and lofty expectations entering the season as the No. 1-ranked team in ESPN's offseason poll, Allar pointed to better execution as a key to Penn State's success. "We definitely need to find different ways to come out with different results in those games," Allar said. "We haven't really been blown out of the water by any team. ... it's just about execution. ... finding those areas to make one or two more plays throughout those games. ... That's going to be our focus." One key for Penn State is the return of its two leading rushers from last season, Kaytron Allen (1,108 yards) and Nicholas Singleton (1,099 yards), who combined for 20 TDs. That experience, along with Allar's improved accuracy (66.5%) and career-high 3,327 passing yards from 2024, gives the Nittany Lions a lot of upside going into 2025. Allar did have an uptick in interceptions (eight) and was sacked 19 times last season, which are two concerning areas, especially against top-ranked opponents. That must improve for Penn State to reverse course and finally win meaningful games. For now, the focus is on its lack of success in those games under Franklin. If Penn State can execute and not beat itself, perhaps one of those games will eventually go its way. Until then, it will face the same questions as it looks to put its past struggles in big games behind it.
'If He Gets In, Take Me Out' – Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert Catches Wild HOF Stray From Shaquille O’Neal
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert still has a huge hater in Shaquille O’Neal, as the latter believes that the four-time Defensive Player of the Year doesn’t deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame someday. O’Neal has called out Gobert for years, and the four-time NBA champion went so far as to request that he be removed from the Hall of Fame if the committee inducts Gobert. “If he gets in, take me out,” O’Neal said about Gobert on his YouTube channel. “Go in there and just rip my jersey out. I f***ing hate Rudy Gobert. Because f***ing making 250 (million dollars), he doesn’t deserve it. F**k that. I don’t care.” “As the President of the Big Man Alliance, you’re making big money, play like a f***ing big man, that’s it,” he continued. “Play like a f***ing big man. Throw some bows, knock some people out. Don’t be letting little white dudes from Denver dunk on you and then talk s**t to you. Then you’re going to grab them by the neck at the last second. Come on bro.” Minnesota Timberwolves News: Rudy Gobert plans to sit out the upcoming EuroBasket Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert will not play for the French national team in the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket, as he plans to recharge his batteries ahead of the 2025-26 NBA campaign. “I’ve had busy summers in recent years, and it’s taken a toll. People don’t always realize how intense the EuroBasket is,” Gobert said to L’Aisne. “It finishes just before the NBA resumes, and it’s a big responsibility. I had said I’d wait until the end of the season to decide, and now I have. This summer, I’m focusing on myself, my family, and my son,” he added.
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