Inter Miami Wiretap

Lionel Messi left Inter Miami's final MLS match before the World Cup in the 73rd minute Sunday with an apparent leg injury, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of Argentina's title defense this summer.

The 38-year-old was seen grabbing at the back of his leg before walking to the sideline, requesting a substitute and heading straight down the tunnel. Inter Miami did not provide an official diagnosis, though interim manager Guillermo Hoyos appeared to downplay the severity in his postgame press conference.

Miami ultimately won 6-4 over Philadelphia in the second-highest-scoring match in MLS history, with Luis Suarez completing a hat trick in the 81st minute and Rodrigo De Paul adding a stoppage-time winner. The match was tied 4-4 when Messi departed.

It is the second consecutive World Cup preceded by a Messi injury concern. He dealt with an inflamed Achilles in November 2022 while at PSG before playing every minute of Argentina's seven matches in Qatar en route to the title.

Messi is due to join the Argentina squad for World Cup preparations following MLS's six-week break. The defending champions open Group D play June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, with pre-tournament friendlies scheduled against Honduras on June 6 at Texas A&M's Kyle Field and Iceland on June 9 at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium. Algeria, Austria and Jordan complete Argentina's group.

The forward has been in outstanding form heading into the tournament, recording five goals and seven assists across his last five matches. He has 13 goals and seven assists in 16 MLS appearances this season and holds 116 international goals in 198 appearances for Argentina.

With the World Cup opening next month and Lamine Yamal starring alongside Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane, Jude Bellingham and Timothee Chalamet in Adidas's $67 million "Backyard Legends" commercial, the story of how the German sportswear giant secured the Barcelona teenager has become one of the defining brand coups in modern football. The parallel to Messi's own defection from Nike two decades ago is an example of history repeating itself.

Adidas secured Yamal in February 2024 after a pitch built around a video message recorded inside Inter Miami's dressing room. Messi, one of the greatest players of all time and a lifelong Adidas athlete, addressed the teenager personally.

"I only wanted to tell you that we would be thrilled to see you joining our Adidas family," Messi said.

Nike attempted to counter with a personal appeal from Kylian Mbappe, the biggest name on its roster, but it had little impact. Yamal had idolized Messi since childhood and the choice was not close. The symmetry is striking as Barcelona has long been a Nike club, yet both Messi and Yamal signed with Adidas, the sponsor of both the Spanish and Argentine national teams.

Since that original signing, Yamal's relationship with Adidas has expanded well beyond football boots. In August 2025 he was elevated to global ambassador for Adidas Originals, extending his reach into lifestyle and streetwear. He also signed a product collaboration with American Eagle in January 2026, marking his formal entry into the North American fashion market. His Instagram following has grown from 24.7 million in January 2025 to 42.2 million today, a 71% increase in roughly 16 months.

His long-term future at Barcelona is also settled. In May 2025, Yamal signed a contract extension through June 30, 2031, with a $1.09 billion (€1 billion) buyout clause. The deal Jorge Mendes had publicly teased in January 2025 was completed on terms that bore little resemblance to what seemed fair when his previous extension was negotiated in October 2023.

The story of how Adidas first landed Messi remains one of the most instructive cautionary tales in sports marketing. In the early 2000s, a teenage Messi wore Nike by default as Barcelona's kit supplier and held a modest junior contract with the brand. The breaking point came around 2005 when his father Jorge reportedly requested additional training gear and tracksuits. The request was either ignored or lost between Nike's Iberian and South American offices, and the family interpreted the silence as a fundamental lack of respect.

Adidas moved immediately, offering a reported $800,000 per year alongside the personal attention Nike had failed to provide. When Messi officially signed in February 2006, Nike pursued legal action in Spain claiming a binding agreement existed. The court ruled against Nike, finding the company held only a commitment letter rather than a finalized contract. Messi signed a lifetime deal with Adidas in 2017.

Nearly two decades later, Adidas used that same asset to close the Yamal deal. The brand rented a large office in Barcelona, flew in senior executives and opened the meeting with the Messi video. It worked for the same reason it did the first time: Adidas understood what the player valued before Nike did.

“When Messi steps away, whenever that might be, Yamal will be the face of Adidas,” said Mayowa Quadri, Head of Brand at VERSUS, to the Observer. “It will be the Lamine Yamal brand.” 

Nike lost Messi over a tracksuit request. It lost Yamal to a laptop and a two-minute video. The brand on the other side of both decisions now has the two of them headlining the same global campaign ahead of the world's biggest soccer tournament. 

A new ESPN documentary reveals the frantic behind-the-scenes effort that secured Lionel Messi's international future with Argentina, including a highlight reel on VHS tape, a desperate phone book search through Rosario and a hastily arranged friendly match organized specifically to tie him to La Albiceleste before Spain could act.

When the 13-year-old Messi arrived at Barcelona's La Masia academy in 2000, Spain's youth coaching staff quickly recognized his potential. With Argentina showing no interest, youth coach Gines Melendez asked Messi's Barca teammates and coaches to convince him to commit to La Roja.

"I imagined my national team being completely invincible," Melendez said.

Messi's representative Horacio Gaggioli seized an opportunity in late 2002 when Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa and assistant Claudio Vivas visited Barcelona. Gaggioli arranged a VHS tape of Messi's highlights and delivered it personally to Vivas at the team hotel.

"He doesn't just play well, he's incredible," Vivas told Bielsa after viewing the footage. Bielsa's reaction upon watching: "But this kid is unbelievable."

Despite the tape's impact, youth coach Hugo Tocalli chose not to include Messi in Argentina's 2003 Under-17 World Cup squad in Finland. Argentina lost the semifinal 3-2 to Spain, a team that included Messi's Barcelona teammate Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish team's chef then confronted Tocalli at dinner.

"If you would've brought the kid from Barcelona, you would've been champions," the chef told him. "That hit me hard, like someone had stabbed me with a dagger," Tocalli recalled.

That night, Tocalli resolved to act. AFA team manager Omar Souto was assigned to locate the Messi family. With no contact information available, Souto obtained a Rosario phone directory and called every listed Messi household until he reached Lionel's grandmother, who provided a chain of numbers eventually leading to his father Jorge in Barcelona.

"Finally you've remembered about my son," Jorge told Souto. "He wants to play for Argentina."

The AFA's fax to Barcelona confirming the call-up misspelled his name as "Leonel Mecci." A friendly against Paraguay was then arranged at Argentinos Juniors' stadium on June 29, 2004, the anniversary of Argentina's 1986 World Cup triumph. An Argentine referee, Gabriel Brazenas, was called the night before because a FIFA-certified official was needed urgently to make the match official and permanently bind Messi to Argentina under federation rules.

Messi entered in the second half and immediately left onlookers stunned.

"Once he'd dribbled past everyone and scored is when we all saw how easy he made things look," said teammate Pablo Zabaleta. "I think it was when everyone realized we were looking at a phenomenon."

Messi went on to win the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, completing one of sport's most celebrated international careers. For Melendez, the memory carries both pride and wistfulness.

"We gave up because, by the time he'd played for Argentina for the first time, we already knew it was a lost cause," he said. "But there was a huge amount of happiness seeing him win the World Cup in Qatar."

Argentina and Spain have yet to play a World Cup match with Messi in the lineup. Argentina lost to Germany in the 2010 quarterfinals that Spain went on to win. In 2018, both Argentina and Spain were upset in the round of 16 before they could meet in the quarterfinals.

Inter Miami lead MLS in total guaranteed team compensation at $54.57 million, a new league record that surpasses the club's own benchmark set at this point last season by $7.7 million, according to figures released by the MLS Players Association.

Miami's payroll exceeds double the total of all but two other clubs. LAFC rank second at $32.65 million, followed by Atlanta United at $27.88 million, the LA Galaxy at $26.43 million and the Vancouver Whitecaps at $24.56 million. The Whitecaps are currently listed for sale and facing possible relocation.

At the other end of the spectrum, reigning Supporters' Shield holders Philadelphia Union are the league's most frugal spenders at $11.70 million, demonstrating that roster investment and on-field results do not always align in MLS.

Total Guaranteed Compensation By MLS Team

1. Inter Miami: $54.57 million
2. LAFC: $32.65 million
3. Atlanta United: $27.88 million
4. LA Galaxy: $26.43 million
5. Vancouver Whitecaps: $24.56 million
6. San Diego FC: $24.39 million
7. FC Cincinnati: $23.47 million
8. Nashville SC: $22.99 million
9. Columbus Crew: $22.34 million
10. Chicago Fire: $21.73 million
11. New York Red Bulls: $21.65 million
12. New York City FC: $21.54 million
13. Charlotte FC: $21.46 million
14. Toronto FC: $21.39 million
15. Houston Dynamo: $20.91 million
16. Austin FC: $19.89 million
17. New England Revolution: $19.41 million
18. Seattle Sounders: $19.09 million
19. St. Louis City: $18.81 million
20. Portland Timbers: $18.45 million
21. San Jose Earthquakes: $15.83 million
22. Minnesota United: $15.55 million
23. Real Salt Lake: $15.29 million
24. D.C. United: $14.55 million
25. FC Dallas: $14.54 million
26. Colorado Rapids: $14.13 million
27. Orlando City: $13.73 million
28. CF Montreal: $13.42 million
29. Sporting Kansas City: $12.36 million
30. Philadelphia Union: $11.70 million

Lionel Messi remains Major League Soccer's highest-paid player for the third consecutive season, with total guaranteed compensation rising to $28.33 million in 2026 from $20.45 million a year ago, according to data released by the MLS Players Association.

The figures cover only the playing portion of Messi's earnings. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas told Bloomberg in March that Messi's total annual income falls between $70 million and $80 million. Messi signed a contract extension through the 2028 season last October and is expected to acquire an equity stake in the club upon retirement.

LAFC forward Son Heung-min ranks second at $11.15 million in guaranteed compensation. Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul is third at $9.6 million, followed by San Diego FC forward Hirving "Chucky" Lozano at $9.33 million. Lozano has not played a single minute this season after being frozen out by the club. Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron rounds out the top five at $7.87 million.

League-wide, the average guaranteed compensation across the full player pool reached $688,816, a 6.1% increase from the spring 2025 figure of $649,199. The median salary rose a more modest 3.6%, from $339,876 to $352,104. A total of 133 players now earn at least $1 million in guaranteed compensation, up from 131 a year ago.

MLS and the MLSPA are in the sixth year of a collective bargaining agreement reached in February 2021. The current CBA runs through the end of the 2027 season, though the league's planned move to a summer calendar starting in 2028, including a "sprint season" in early 2027, could alter those terms.

A locker room confrontation following Inter Miami's 2-2 draw with Red Bull New York last weekend preceded Javier Mascherano's resignation, sources briefed on the situation told The Athletic. The details of the incident remain unclear across multiple accounts.

Sources say discontent within the squad had been growing since the club's round-of-16 elimination from the Concacaf Champions Cup by Nashville SC, a team Miami defeated in the MLS playoffs last year. Nashville has since eliminated Club America and became the first MLS club to win a competitive match at Estadio Azteca, booking a place in the semifinals. At least one club source views that Concacaf result as a larger factor in Mascherano's exit than the weekend locker room dispute.

Managing Lionel Messi presented its own challenges throughout Mascherano's tenure. Even for Mascherano, one of Messi's closest friends and a former teammate at Barcelona and with Argentina, the forward's fierce competitive drive created a persistently charged atmosphere around the club. The two frequently engaged in heated exchanges, though sources describe that dynamic as standard conduct between elite athletes who share deep mutual respect. Mascherano was willing to challenge Messi directly, a posture made possible by their long personal history.

Multiple sources say they are not surprised Guillermo Hoyos is now in charge, at least on an interim basis. One source noted Hoyos "is one that never says no to Messi." Messi has previously referred to Hoyos as his "football father." Hoyos originally joined the club as academy director of methodology following Messi's arrival before ascending to his current interim role.

The head coaching position at Inter Miami carries significant weight. Mascherano was the fourth full-time coach in club history since its 2020 launch, not counting a seven-game interim stint by Javier Morales in 2023. High expectations, internal pressure and constant public scrutiny define the role, even with the backing of considerable resources and organizational ambition.

Javier Mascherano stepped down as manager of Inter Miami on Tuesday, the club announced, in a striking development for the reigning MLS Cup champions. Guillermo Hoyos is expected to serve as interim head coach, with two sources telling The Athletic he led training on Monday.

Mascherano, one of Lionel Messi's closest friends from their time together with Argentina and Barcelona, was appointed Miami head coach in November 2024 following the club's playoff elimination. In his only full season, he guided Miami to its first MLS Cup title and was credited with a bold tactical shift that proved decisive. Moving Luis Suarez out of the starting lineup in the postseason, initially due to suspension but maintained thereafter, Mascherano flanked Messi with Tadeo Allende and Mateo Silvetti to unlock the attack. Miami scored 20 goals in that postseason run, the most in a single MLS playoff in league history.

The 2026 campaign has told a different story. Miami was eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup by Nashville SC in the round of 16 and has drawn both matches at Nu Stadium, the club's new arena that opened April 4. The club sits third in the Eastern Conference at 3-1-3 with a +1 goal differential through seven matches.

The underperformance is notable given the investment made this winter. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba both retiring, Miami responded by signing Mexico international forward German Berterame for a club-record $15 million transfer, adding reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair and former Houston center back Micael to bolster the defense.

Mascherano's exit marks the third MLS coaching change of the young 2026 season, following Orlando City's dismissal of Oscar Pareja and CF Montreal's removal of Marco Donadel.

Lionel Messi marked the opening of Inter Miami's Nu Stadium Saturday with a header in the 10th minute, though the Herons could not hold on, drawing 2-2 against Austin FC in South Florida.

Austin's Guilherme Biro headed in a corner kick in the sixth minute to spoil the occasion before Messi responded four minutes later. The Argentine timed a late run through the box to meet Ian Fray's right-side cross — his fifth MLS goal in six matches this season.

Co-owner David Beckham addressed fans from the field before kickoff, praising the club's Argentine star as the "best player in the history of the game playing in Miami."

Messi's turnover in the 53rd minute proved costly. Joseph Rosales dispossessed him and played forward to Myrto Uzuni, whose early cross found Jayden Nelson unmarked to beat goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair and put Austin ahead 2-1.

Substitute Luis Suarez leveled in the 82nd minute, volleying home from the goalmouth after a flicked-on corner. Messi and Suarez nearly combined for a winner moments later, a 90th-minute Messi free kick struck the crossbar, and Suarez converted the rebound, only to be ruled offside.

Nu Stadium also unveiled a dedicated section on its east side named the "Leo Messi Stand." Fans gathered in the area for photos hours before kickoff.

Lionel Messi has not yet committed to playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Argentina's title defense beginning in just 81 days, coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed Thursday. The tournament will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Scaloni made clear the decision rests entirely with the 38-year-old forward.

"I'll do everything I can to make sure he's there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there. It's not me who decides. It's up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition," Scaloni said.

"I want him to be there. It's up to him to decide. He's earned the right to make that decision with peace of mind. We're in no rush about it. We know whatever he decides will be best for the team and for him. We hope he will be there," he added.

Messi will appear in both upcoming friendlies against Mauritania on March 27 and Zambia on March 31, with both matches held at Boca Juniors' La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires. Scaloni confirmed Messi's participation but left his starting status open.

Argentina's all-time leading scorer holds 115 international goals and won the Player of the Tournament award at the 2022 World Cup. Scaloni's 30-man squad includes 16 World Cup winners alongside uncapped defenders Tomas Palacios and Gabriel Rojas and Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni.

Argentina open their World Cup title defense June 16 against Algeria in Group J, followed by matches against Austria and Jordan.

Lionel Messi reached 900 career goals Wednesday night, but the milestone could not spare Inter Miami from a stunning Concacaf Champions Cup exit. Nashville SC advanced on away goals after a 1-1 draw at Chase Stadium, eliminating the reigning MLS Cup champions in the round of 16.

Messi needed just seven minutes to reach the landmark figure, collecting a pass from Sergio Reguilon and firing low into the bottom corner through defender Jeisson Palacios' legs.

The result stings for Miami given the tournament's stakes. Winning the competition would have secured a return to the Club World Cup, where the club reached the round of 16 last summer.

Nashville required only a draw to advance, having played to a goalless first leg at home last week under Concacaf's away goals rule. Cristian Espinoza delivered it in the 74th minute, capitalizing on chaos in Miami's penalty area and volleying home after goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair failed to clear cleanly.

Reguilon's first-half injury added to Miami's troubles, and despite late pressure, the hosts could not find a second goal.

Nashville advances to face either Club America or the Philadelphia Union in the quarterfinals. The Mexican side held a first-leg advantage heading into Wednesday's second leg in Mexico City.

The defeat represents a significant blow for a club that invested heavily this offseason, signing St. Clair as the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Mexican international striker German Berterame for $15 million from Monterrey. Messi, 38, remains under contract through 2028, but Miami's continental ambitions must now wait another year.