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Messi, Inter Miami Finish with Best Record in MLS History

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami and New England Revolution at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami and New England Revolution at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
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Messi, Inter Miami Finish with Best Record in MLS History

Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami and New England Revolution at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi controls the ball during the Major League Soccer (MLS) football match between Inter Miami and New England Revolution at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, October 19, 2024. (Photo by Chris Arjoon / AFP)

Lionel Messi checked into the match early in the second half, the score tied and Inter Miami's chances at breaking a pair of Major League Soccer regular-season records very much uncertain.
In that instant, it all changed.
Messi had three goals — his first MLS hat trick — and an assist in the span of about 30 minutes, Luis Suarez scored twice and Inter Miami rolled past New England 6-2 on Saturday night to set MLS records for most points and best winning percentage, The Associated Press reported. Inter Miami finished with 74 points, one more than New England had in its record-setting season in 2021.
Best player ever. Best MLS record ever. A perfect match.
“This night is yours,” Inter Miami primary owner Jorge Mas said after the match, as the team celebrated the Supporters' Shield — which it won earlier this month on the road at Columbus — in a ceremony for the home fans. “The best fans on the face of the Earth.”
The party was going to happen either way. Messi just made it even more special.
At 22-4-8 in league play, Inter Miami finished the season with a .765 winning percentage for another MLS record. Four teams — D.C. United (24-8) and the LA Galaxy (24-8) in 1998, LAFC (21-4-9) in 2019 and New England (22-5-7) in 2021 — had finished an MLS season with a .750 winning percentage, which was the best until Saturday night.
Now, the top spot is Inter Miami’s by any measure, both in terms of points and best won-lost-tied mark. Inter Miami also became the eighth team in MLS history to get through a regular season with only four losses, tying another record.
“Our players are what has made this season successful,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “Our captain has led us. Our players have led us in times where it was difficult. But now, tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday, the playoffs.”
Suarez and Messi finished with 20 goals apiece, the first MLS teammates to reach that milestone in the same season. It was Messi's first hat trick for Inter Miami, the team the Argentine superstar joined midway through the 2023 season in a huge victory for MLS.
If all that wasn't enough, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said after the match that Inter Miami — as has been generally expected — would be in the Club World Cup next summer as the host country representative. The tournament starts June 15, 2025 in Miami Gardens, and Inter Miami will play the first match.
Messi finished the regular season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 matches. Suarez got to 20 goals in his first MLS season, his two goals Saturday — coming about three minutes apart — helping Inter Miami erase an early 2-0 deficit.
Luca Langoni and Dylan Borrero had the goals for New England. The rest of the match was all Miami.
Suarez's brace pulled the hosts into a tie by halftime and Benja Cremaschi scored the go-ahead goal in the 58th minute. Messi had an assist on Cremaschi’s goal, one that came just seconds after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner subbed into the match.
There had been some question about whether Messi would play at all, especially since Inter Miami had already wrapped up the Supporters' Shield and No. 1 seed in the MLS Cup playoffs. All that was at stake for Inter Miami on Saturday was the record.
And there was a scare in the 74th minute when Messi was fouled, yelled in pain and grabbed at his right ankle as he was on the ground. He’s missed 15 of Inter Miami’s MLS matches in 2024, either because of commitments to Argentina’s national team or the two-month absence that he needed to recover from a badly injured ankle — an injury that happened during his nation’s run to the Copa America title in July.
It was just a scare.
Messi scored about two minutes apart in the second half, turning a 3-2 lead into a 5-2 rout and it was only a matter of time before the record would belong to Inter Miami. And the capper came in the 89th minute, Suarez flipping the ball to Messi for an easy score to complete the hat trick.
Next up for Inter Miami: Game 1 of a best-of-three first-round series, at home Friday night against either CF Montreal or Atlanta United, who will play in a wild-card match on Tuesday night. It will be the first home playoff match in Inter Miami history.
“Onto the playoffs,” Beckham said, “and we'll be ready.”

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Man City Host Liverpool, Arsenal Chase Treble in FA Cup Quarter-Finals

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with a fans smartphone as he celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with a fans smartphone as he celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
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Man City Host Liverpool, Arsenal Chase Treble in FA Cup Quarter-Finals

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with a fans smartphone as he celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah takes a selfie with a fans smartphone as he celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)

Liverpool face a daunting trip to Manchester City in the standout tie of the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend as Mohamed Salah seeks to end nine spectacular seasons at Anfield on a high.

Arsenal and Chelsea will expect to reach the semi-finals at Wembley against lower tier opposition, while West Ham and Leeds put their battle for Premier League survival on hold in a bid to reach the last four.

AFP Sport examines what to look out for in the four ties:

Manchester City v Liverpool, Saturday

City produced perhaps their best performance of the season to dominate Arsenal and win the League Cup final 2-0 before the international break.

They remain in the running to match their feat as the only English side to ever win the domestic treble of League Cup, FA Cup and Premier League in 2018/19.

Liverpool face a defining 10 days for their season and possibly Arne Slot's future at Anfield.

Languishing fifth in the Premier League, the FA Cup and Champions League are the Reds' only remaining hope of glory.

After visiting the Etihad, Slot's men face European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals over two legs on April 8 and 14.

Despite leading Liverpool to a record-equaling 20th English top-flight title less than a year ago, Slot is under huge pressure to end a difficult second season on a high if he is to remain in the job.

The rest of Liverpool's season will also be marked by a long farewell to Salah.

The Egyptian announced over the international break that he will leave at the end of the campaign having netted 255 goals so far for the club.

"Hopefully he can make his legacy even more special in the upcoming weeks and months where we still play for something special, but he will always leave this club as a legend," said Slot.

Chelsea v Port Vale, Saturday

Chelsea can ill afford to add a massive cup upset to a maelstrom of discontent on and off the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

Four consecutive defeats have plunged manager Liam Rosenior's future into doubt less than three months into his reign.

Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella have spoken out publicly in recent weeks, criticizing the decision to sack Enzo Maresca in January.

Chelsea then announced a Premier League record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million ($349.3 million) for the year to June 30 on Wednesday, sparking speculation over who the Blues may have to sell this summer.

A Port Vale side rooted to the bottom of League One and headed for the fourth tier should still pose little problems for the Premier League giants.

But Vale have won as many games in the FA and League Cup this season (seven) as they have in 38 league games.

Southampton v Arsenal, Saturday

Mikel Arteta's team selection will be scrutinized at St. Mary's after most of his key players pulled out of international duty with injuries.

Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were among the 10 Gunners to withdraw from action with their nations.

Arteta is seeking a reaction after Arsenal's six-year wait for a trophy was prolonged by City at Wembley.

But they remain in pole position for a first Premier League title in 22 years and also have a favorable Champions League quarter-final draw against Sporting Lisbon.

West Ham v Leeds, Sunday

The priority for both sides may be Premier League survival, but the draw has handed them a rare chance to make the last four.

Leeds have not reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 1987, while West Ham last made it that far 20 years ago.

West Ham sit in the Premier League relegation zone, four points adrift of Leeds, but have used the positive momentum of a cup run to turn their season around.

Since ending a 10-match winless run against QPR in the third round, Nuno Espirito Santo's side have lost just three of 13 games.

Sports

Barca Need Yamal at Best without Raphinha for Atletico 'Trilogy'

Barca winger Lamine Yamal could be crucial in the triple-header against Atletico Madrid over the next fortnight. ANDER GILLENEA / AFP
Barca winger Lamine Yamal could be crucial in the triple-header against Atletico Madrid over the next fortnight. ANDER GILLENEA / AFP
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Barca Need Yamal at Best without Raphinha for Atletico 'Trilogy'

Barca winger Lamine Yamal could be crucial in the triple-header against Atletico Madrid over the next fortnight. ANDER GILLENEA / AFP
Barca winger Lamine Yamal could be crucial in the triple-header against Atletico Madrid over the next fortnight. ANDER GILLENEA / AFP

Barcelona winger Raphinha's untimely injury heaps further pressure on teenage star Lamine Yamal ahead of the club's triple-header against Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish champions visit Atletico on Saturday as they bid to maintain or even extend their lead at the top of La Liga, before two further games against Diego Simeone's team in the Champions League quarter-finals, said AFP.

Barca have already faced Atletico three times this season, beating them in La Liga in December but falling in the Copa del Rey semi-final over two legs.

Without Raphinha, out with a hamstring injury until May, the onus will be on 18-year-old winger Yamal to provide the magic Barca need to proceed on two fronts in the approaching inevitably intense battles with Atletico.

Barca hold a four-point lead on Real Madrid, who visit Mallorca earlier on Saturday, at the top of the table.

Yamal played for Spain this week in a goalless draw against Egypt in Cornella at Espanyol's stadium.

Yamal has shown maturity beyond his years since bursting onto the scene as a 15-year-old, including starring for Spain as they won Euro 2024 and blossoming further still as Barca claimed a domestic treble last season.

The youngster, often compared to another graduate from Barca's La Masia youth academy, Lionel Messi, seems to save his best performances for the biggest occasions.

Yamal netted six times for Barca in his last seven matches across all competitions, and the Catalan giants will hope he can continue that form into the final phase of the season.

He admitted in February that he has not been happy this season, in part due to a long-running groin injury, but lately feels better.

"I have that desire to smile on the pitch that I haven't had for a long time and I'm very happy, now I'm happy playing," said Yamal after scoring the first hat-trick of his career, against Villarreal.

In recent weeks Barca have been dependent on the forward in attack and goalkeeper Joan Garcia at the other end.

Strikers Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have struggled for consistent form, while Marcus Rashford has fallen somewhat out of favor.

Raphinha's injury opens the door for the England international, on loan from Manchester United, to start on the left again.

Yamal's pressing and off-the-ball work is an excellent example for Rashford, who despite his strong contribution in terms of assists, sometimes lacks the relentless energy and focus Flick wants from his forwards.

As well as Raphinha, Barca are also likely to be without Frenkie de Jong at the weekend, but Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde may be able to return after injury.

Simeone's Atletico, fourth by a distance from fifth-place Real Betis, have little to play for in the league but will want to build momentum before Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou.

Player to watch: Largie Ramazani

Valencia have risen to mid-table in recent weeks, largely thanks to the form of Belgian forward Ramazani. The 25-year-old, on loan from Premier League side Leeds, has scored five goals in his last nine appearances. Los Che host Celta Vigo on Sunday looking to add to their run of three wins from their last four matches.

Sports

Napoli and AC Milan Face Off as Italy Licks its World Cup Wounds

Napoli and AC Milan will be looking to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Fayez Nureldine / AFP/File
Napoli and AC Milan will be looking to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Fayez Nureldine / AFP/File
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Napoli and AC Milan Face Off as Italy Licks its World Cup Wounds

Napoli and AC Milan will be looking to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Fayez Nureldine / AFP/File
Napoli and AC Milan will be looking to close the gap on Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Fayez Nureldine / AFP/File

Napoli and AC Milan will face off on Monday with Serie A leaders Inter Milan in their sights, but the return of domestic football over Easter has been completely overshadowed by the fallout from Italy failing to reach yet another World Cup.

Leading Milan by six points with eight matches remaining in the season, Inter would ordinarily be confident of claiming a 21st league crown ahead of the visit of Champions League chasers Roma on Sunday.

But Napoli and Milan have re-ingnited what had looked to be a dead title race, helped by Inter picking up just two points in their last three matches before a traumatic international break for Italian football fans.

Napoli are a point behind Milan after having won their last four matches following the end of a near season-long injury crisis, but will be without Romelu Lukaku after the Belgium striker incurred the wrath of the reigning champions for staying in his home country for treatment on a hip problem.

But that row, Saturday's showdown and the title battle all fade into the background when faced with the national team's latest humiliation, failing to reach a third straight World Cup.

The reaction to Tuesday's play-off defeat on penalties to Bosnia and Hercegovina has been the same to the previous two that cost Italy a place at the world's biggest football tournament: rip it up and start again.

Football federation chief Gabriele Gravina was the first to fall on his sword, his resignation coming on Thursday afternoon, two days after saying he would wait a week before making a decision.

He was followed by the national team's general manager Gianluigi Buffon, with coach Gennaro Gattuso also expected to step down over the coming days.

Now the talk is of how to bring Italian football back to the top table after years of flops from the national team and the slow decline of the country's top clubs on the European stage.

Inter were the one club that had stayed with the best on the continent but even they have helped contribute to the doom, gloom and despondency after being dumped out of the Champions League by Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt.

Cristian Chivu's team has also become a sort of symbol of Italy's failure, with defender Alessandro Bastoni being sent off in the first half against Bosnia and academy product Pio Esposito smashing over the first penalty in the shoot-out.

And on Saturday Roma will be hoping to lift a depression of their own by staying in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Knocked out of the Europa League by Bologna and wobbling in Serie A, Roma have an awful record against the division's top teams and trail fourth-placed Como by just three points.

But with Como at Udinese on a run of five straight wins Gian Piero Gasperini's Roma, sixth and level on 54 points with Juventus, risk falling further off the pace.

Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez

Inter's recent wobble coincided with Martinez's injury absence but the Argentina striker should start at the San Siro on Sunday night.

Martinez has not played since his muscular problems began in Inter's home humbling at the hands of Bodo and in the five league matches that Inter have played in that time the Milanese giants have picked up eight points.

The 28-year-old leads the Serie A scoring charts with 14 goals and Inter will be hoping that he can stay fit in the final weeks, while he, unlike Italy, has one eye on the World Cup.