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Pyramids to Replace Zamalek in Egyptian Super Cup

Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (AFP)
Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (AFP)
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Pyramids to Replace Zamalek in Egyptian Super Cup

Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (AFP)
Zamalek’s starting eleven pose for a group picture during the Lusail Super Cup football match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal at the Lusail Stadium on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha on September 9, 2022. (AFP)

Pyramids club will play Al-Ahly in the Egyptian Super Cup match in Abu Dhabi on Friday after Egyptian champions Zamalek decided not to take part, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said.

Zamalek are protesting against a number of decisions by EFA, including that their former forward Kahraba is allowed to play for Al-Ahly despite being banned for 12 matches for allegedly chanting insults about Zamalek after the Cairo derby in January.

Kahraba has denied any wrongdoing and his ban was suspended until a local court meets on May 14.

"The EFA Board agreed to Pyramids participation as the runner-up in the League last season," EFA said late on Tuesday.

The Super Cup will be a repeat of last month's Egyptian Cup final in which Al-Ahly beat Pyramids 2-1.

Pyramids are bidding to win their first major title.

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Lionel Messi Has Goal and Assist in Return from Injury

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, runs with the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, runs with the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP)
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Lionel Messi Has Goal and Assist in Return from Injury

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, runs with the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, center, runs with the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP)

Lionel Messi returned from injury for Inter Miami to chants of “Messi! Messi! Messi!” in a 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy on Saturday.

It was the magic defender Maximiliano Falcón said the team has come to expect.

“We’re used to this. You saw what he did, got the ball with a clear look at goal and scored,” Falcón said in Spanish.

Even after a two-game absence it was no surprise that Messi, MLS’ top goal scorer, led Inter Miami to victory. He had been training with the team since midweek and coach Javier Mascherano confirmed he would be available for the weekend match.

The Argentine superstar put in a 45-minute shift and his countryman Rodrigo de Paul assisted him as they beat the worst team in MLS. The two world champions did not participate in pregame warmups, but they did warm up before they entered the game at halftime to the raucous cheers of Miami fans.

Messi injured his hamstring on Aug. 2 against Necaxa in a Leagues Cup match. Inter Miami reached the Leagues Cup quarterfinals without him, but were defeated by instate rivals Orlando City 4-1 in MLS action.

Besides his ability, it’s Messi’s competitive attitude that transcends this Miami squad according to Mascherano.

“He wants to play every single game. He wanted to play in Orlando also. You have to understand why Leo is Leo, because he always wants to be on the pitch,” Mascherano said after the win over Galaxy.

Messi’s return comes at an important time, before his squad takes on eight-time Mexican champions Tigres UANL in South Florida on Wednesday.

LA Galaxy, the reigning 2024 MLS Cup Champions, also looked at this Saturday’s game as a chance to rotate their squad ahead of their Leagues Cup quarterfinal match against C.F. Pachuca.