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Messi Presented with Inaugural MARCA America Award

Messi Presented with Inaugural MARCA America Award
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Messi Presented with Inaugural MARCA America Award

Messi Presented with Inaugural MARCA America Award

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi added another award to his collection on Thursday.

Messi became the first recipient of the MARCA America Award, presented by the Spain-based media company, The Associated Press reported. The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level.
“It has been quite the journey,” the Argentine superstar said in Spanish during a moderated question-and-answer session at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami's home field. “We have experienced so many beautiful things but also complicated moments. In 20 years not everything is beautiful. You cannot win all the time."
For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players. However, the 37-year-old Messi has won plenty and still feels the drive to continue adding titles. Similar to his titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi already has helped Inter Miami win hardware since he joined the MLS club in July 2023.
Although limited to 18 MLS matches this season because of an ankle injury and national team commitments, Messi has 17 goals and 15 assists to help lead Miami to the 2024 Supporters Shield. Miami will have home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs which begin next week.
“I was able to achieve the biggest prize, which is the World Cup,” said Messi, who had three goals and two assists in a 6-0 Argentina romp past Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. “It is the trophy all of us want when we start playing and I managed to fulfill my dream. We won many titles in Barcelona, Paris. Now we are here with the objective to fight hard for another title.”
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through next season. And, after his recent goal-scoring performance on Tuesday, Messi could remain energized in his commitments with Argentina through the next World Cup cycle.
“I still have a deep love for this sport and I will continue to aspire to win more titles,” Messi said. “At this level, you have to enjoy things day by day.”
Inter Miami has one regular-season match left, coming at home Saturday against New England. If Inter Miami wins it would set the MLS single-season points mark with 72, one more than New England had in 2021.

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Barca Face Espanyol Derby Dilemma Ahead of Atletico Return

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)
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Barca Face Espanyol Derby Dilemma Ahead of Atletico Return

Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)
Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick gestures during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, in Barcelona, Spain, 08 April 2026. (EPA)

In the wake of Barcelona's Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat by Atletico Madrid, coach Hansi Flick faces a dilemma for Saturday's La Liga derby clash against Espanyol.

With the champions seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table, Flick may be tempted to rotate heavily ahead of Tuesday's crucial second leg visit to face Atletico, trailing 2-0.

Alvaro Arbeloa's Madrid host Girona on Friday and could cut the gap down to four points with a victory, which would make Flick's choice harder.

Los Blancos are also in a tough spot following their 2-1 defeat by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but have a bigger gap between the Girona game and the second leg in Bavaria next Wednesday.

"We have also a derby in three days on Saturday, our next match, it's also important for us to win," said Flick.

"We will see, we will analyze everything, what kind of options we have."

The worst case scenario would be suffering a first league defeat at Camp Nou since its reopening before being eliminated from the Champions League anyway in the Spanish capital.

With the league Clasico against Real Madrid on May 10 appearing on the horizon, Flick is keen to maintain Barca's lead, but the Champions League may take precedence.

Several players who have been reserves for much of the season like Ronald Araujo, Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji could come into the side to take on an Espanyol team in free-fall.

After a strong start to the season Manolo Gonzalez's team have failed to win in 2026, which began with a 2-0 home defeat by Barca that set off their slump.

Midfielder Pedri Gonzalez is fundamental for Barca but came off at half-time in the defeat by Atletico, with a minor physical issue.

"Pedri had some problems. No big problems but in this situation we need him (going forwards) -- so we made the decision to take him off the pitch," said Flick.

Flick will hope to have midfielder Frenkie de Jong available for the second leg at Atletico and the Dutchman returned to training this week after a hamstring injury.

The Dutchman has a chance of being included in the squad to face Espanyol, while Barca can also find encouragement in Gavi's performance against Atletico as a substitute.

It could buy the 21-year-old more game time at the weekend as he continues to find fitness following a long injury lay-off. "Gavi had a fantastic game," said Flick.

Atletico Madrid visit Sevilla on Saturday and Diego Simeone is certain to rest several key players.

The Argentine coach has been focused on the cup competitions in recent weeks with his team fourth in La Liga and unlikely to slip with Real Betis 12 points behind in fifth.

Player to watch: Vedat Muriqi

Mallorca's Kosovan target man Muriqi scored a vital goal last week to help the team beat Real Madrid and boost their chances of avoiding relegation.

The forward has 19 goals this season, trailing only La Liga's top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe and will look to add to his tally against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday in another important game.

Sports

Bayern Eyeing Bundesliga Scoring Record at St Pauli

Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)
Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)
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Bayern Eyeing Bundesliga Scoring Record at St Pauli

Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)
Bayern players greet fans after the Champions League quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP)

Bayern Munich need just two goals at St Pauli on Saturday to break the 54-year goalscoring record for a Bundesliga season.

Vincent Kompany's runaway league leaders have already scored 100 Bundesliga goals this season -- just one goal short of the best mark in German top-flight history -- with six matches of the 34-game campaign still to play.

The previous record was set in 1971-72 by a barnstorming Bayern side featuring club legends Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Mueller and Uli Hoeness.

That Bayern have already brought up their Bundesliga century shows their dominance this term.

At their current rate, Bayern are on track for 121 goals, which would be a better mark than the record in either the Premier League or La Liga, which both have 38-game seasons.

Even the all-time mark in a top-five European league of 125, set by Torino in a 40-game Serie A season in 1947-48, would be within reach.

If Bayern may have to achieve the feat without Harry Kane, who is chasing a league record of his own.

With 31 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances, Kane is 10 short of the all-time record of 41 set by Robert Lewandowski in 2020-21.

Kane missed England's March internationals with an ankle injury but returned to score what proved to be the winner in Bayern's 2-1 Champions League win at Real Madrid on Tuesday.

However, the England captain did not look 100 percent and could be rested against St Pauli with Wednesday's quarter-final second leg in mind.

One player almost certain to start is Michael Olise, who is also on track for a record-breaking season.

Olise, who assisted Kane's goal against Real, has laid on 18 Bundesliga goals so far this campaign, three short of the all-time record set by Thomas Mueller in 2019-20.

One to watch: Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart)

Stuttgart midfield lynchpin Angelo Stiller's form not only earned him a return to the Germany national side last month, it has won him admirers from across the sporting spectrum.

Teenage darts sensation and Manchester United fan Luke Littler called Stiller his favorite German player in an interview at the Premier League Darts event in Berlin last month.

Speaking to DAZN, Littler singled out Stiller, saying "come to United -- we need help".

Stiller's return to form has coincided with an excellent run for Stuttgart, who have lost just two of their past 15 games to close in on a return to the Champions League.

"That's great, he's also my favorite darts player," Stiller said of Littler in an interview with the Bundesliga website on Friday.

Stiller said he was both honored and a tad annoyed by Littler's attempt to lure him to Old Trafford.

"It's part of the business that rumors arise and things are said. You should not deal with it so much and just do your own thing."

Sports

South America's CONMEBOL Backs FIFA President for 4th Term

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
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South America's CONMEBOL Backs FIFA President for 4th Term

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - 50th Ordinary UEFA Congress - Brussels Expo, Brussels, Belgium - February 12, 2026 FIFA president Gianni Infantino speaks during the event REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

South American football's governing body (CONMEBOL) gave Gianni Infantino its backing on Thursday should he decide to run for reelection as FIFA president for a fourth term.

While Infantino has yet to confirm whether he will run for the 2027–2031 term, CONMEBOL's council said in a statement that it "unanimously expressed its support" for the 56-year-old's leadership ⁠ahead of a ⁠potential bid.

"President Gianni Infantino, thank you for your continued commitment to the development of South American football and for the leadership exercised at a global level," CONMEBOL ⁠President Alejandro Dominguez said.

"We deeply value your closeness to our region and your vision to continue growing the game worldwide."

CONMEBOL is the first federation to express support for Infantino's re-election, Reuters reported.

The Swiss took office in 2016, taking over from Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and again ⁠in ⁠2023.

Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions during his tenure, with this year's World Cup in North America the first to feature 48 teams, while the women's tournament in 2023 expanded to 32 teams.

Infantino's tenure has also drawn some criticism over issues such as governance and calendar congestion.