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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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Sports

Morocco Hosting AFCON will Help Algeria, Chaibi Says

Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Morocco Hosting AFCON will Help Algeria, Chaibi Says

Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Friendly - Fulham v Eintracht Frankfurt - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - August 9, 2025 Eintracht Frankfurt's Fares Chaibi Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Algeria hope to use the familiarity of Morocco's climate to land a third Africa Cup of Nations title, midfielder Fares Chaibi said despite his dismay that the upcoming tournament was not being held in the summer.

The Eintracht Frankfurt player, capped 22 times, also believed the proximity would make it easier for Algerian fans to rally behind the team when AFCON begins on December 21, according to Reuters.

The French-born Chaibi expressed his excitement about the tournament, although it means he will miss crucial games for his club.

"We're eagerly waiting for this Cup," Chaibi told Reuters in a Zoom interview.

"It will undoubtedly be a fantastic tournament. Our Moroccan brothers have excellent infrastructure and know how to organise events.

"We have no doubt about the quality of the stadiums. I think all teams are happy to play in Morocco, and I hope it will be a great tournament," he added.

"Morocco has the same climate as Algeria, we won't feel like strangers, we'll almost be at home. We have everything to deliver a big tournament, and we're going there to make it happen."

Algeria's AFCON triumphs have come in North Africa. First as hosts in 1990, then in Egypt in 2019.

Chaibi believes summer is the ideal time for AFCON, but playing in winter won't stop him from trying to erase the disappointment of Algeria's early group-stage exit in Ivory Coast in 2024.

"It was supposed to be in summer... As professional players, we'll always be there and answer the call of the homeland, no matter the timing. But in my view, summer is better," he said.

"It doesn't disrupt the season. We are focused at the end of the campaign, then get some rest. Now we break the season in half and miss club games, which isn't ideal. But as I said, we'll adapt."

ALGERIAN ROOTS

Born in Lyon to Algerian parents, the 23-year-old never considered waiting for a France call-up, unlike peers such as Rayan Cherki and Maghnes Akliouche, who earned their first caps for Les Bleus this year.

"It was a natural choice. Algeria is my country. France is also my country because I was born there, but I feel more Algerian. It wasn't a hard decision, and it wasn’t disrespectful to France. it's a great football nation," Chaibi said.

"But my culture has always been Algerian, and I wanted to make my family proud."

Chaibi helped Algeria return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, fulfilling his childhood dream of joining the team he watched at Brazil 2014.

Algeria, making their fifth finals appearance, will face holders Argentina, Jordan, and Austria in Group J of the expanded 48-team tournament in North America next summer.

"I think it's every kid's dream. When you watch the World Cup, you say, 'Wow, this is huge'. And when you are from Africa, it's not easy. Things are better now with more slots, but before, few African nations made it," Chaibi said.

Sports

Argentina and Spain to Face off in 2026 'Finalissima' in Qatar

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo
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Argentina and Spain to Face off in 2026 'Finalissima' in Qatar

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo
Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each. - Reuters File Photo

European Championship winners Spain will face Copa America champions Argentina in the 'Finalissima' game in Qatar in March next year, European soccer body UEFA announced on Thursday.

The contest between the two continental champions was revived in 2021 when UEFA and South American confederation CONMEBOL strongly opposed FIFA's plans for a biennial World Cup, Reuters reported.

Lionel Messi's Argentina outclassed Italy 3-0 in the 2022 contest and the South American side will return to the Lusail Stadium in Qatar where they were crowned world champions three years ago.

The match will be held on March 27, 2026, with the game kicking off at 9 p.m. local time.

Spain and Argentina have met 14 times, with both teams winning six times each.

Sports

Salah and Mbeumo Lead the List of Premier League Players Heading to the AFCON

Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Salah and Mbeumo Lead the List of Premier League Players Heading to the AFCON

Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 19, 2025 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)

Mohamed Salah has gone for up to a month, costing Liverpool its all-time leading goal-scorer in the Premier League.

Manchester United has lost its most potent attacking force in Bryan Mbeumo, along with two more key figures.

They're nothing compared to Sunderland, a promoted team punching above its weight in England's top flight. It has been decimated by the loss of six players.

The Africa Cup of Nations is taking a toll on the Premier League, with some of its biggest stars heading off to the tournament situated right in the middle of the season, according to The AP news.

It is unfortunate that AFCON can be cast as a nuisance for many clubs in Europe — though international soccer in general can be viewed like that when pitted against club ambitions of winning titles. But at least the World Cup, European Championship or Copa America are staged during the offseason of Europe's top leagues.

AFCON is traditionally held in January-February but has been brought forward this year — from Sunday to Jan. 18 — meaning less disruption for leagues in Spain, Germany and France, which have winter breaks of varying periods in December-January.

The Premier League, however, plays through the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the added strain of the FA Cup thrown into one of the busiest periods of the campaign.

The likes of Liverpool and United should have deep enough squads to cope with the loss of key players such as Salah and Mbeumo. But it could have a major impact on Sunderland, which is just two points off the top four after an outstanding start to the season.

Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Bertrand Traore, Habib Diarra, Chemsdine Talbi and Reinildo Mandava are all taking part in the Africa Cup in Morocco.

Sunderland is an outlier with so many going to the tournament but for Crystal Palace the loss of just one player — Ismaila Sarr — is potentially significant, given his importance to the team. Likewise, Brighton is losing key midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Burnley, second to bottom in the standings, is losing three players and so is Fulham.

Notably, at the top of the table, Arsenal has no players in the AFCON, likewise title-challenging Aston Villa and Chelsea, which could be telling over the next month.

Premier League players going to AFCON Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)

Brighton: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)

Burnley: Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia), Lyle Foster (South Africa)

Crystal Palace: Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

Everton: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Senegal), Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)

Fulham: Calvin Bassey (Nigeria), Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria), Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)

Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Manchester City: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria), Omar Marmoush (Egypt)

Manchester United: Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)

Nottingham Forest: Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Ibrahim Sangare (Ivory Coast)

Sunderland: Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)

Tottenham Hotspur: Yves Bissouma (Mali), Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)

West Ham United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo), El Hadji Malik Diouf (Senegal)

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)

Key matchups On Saturday, first-place Arsenal travels to Everton, while City in second is at home against West Ham. Liverpool will look to win back-to-back league games for the first time since September when the defending champion heads to Tottenham.

Aston Villa and United meet on Sunday.

Players to watch Hugo Ekitike has scored four goals in his last two league games. With Salah off to the AFCON, Liverpool's other forwards can establish themselves without the noise that has surrounded the Anfield icon in recent weeks when his future has been placed in doubt.

Out of action United States international Tyler Adams suffered suspected left knee MCL damage in Bournemouth's 4-4 draw with United on Monday. Chelsea forward Estevao has a small muscle issue, coach Enzo Maresca said. Everton was monitoring a potential hamstring complaint for Jack Grealish.

Off the field Expect more protests at last-place Wolves.

Bottom of the standings and looking certain to be relegated, Wolves will equal Sheffield United's 2020-21 record of 17 games without a win from the start of a Premier League season if they fail to beat Brentford at home on Saturday.

There were protests at Wolves' last home match against Manchester United this month and, despite a spirited performance at Arsenal last week, Rob Edwards' team is 14 points adrift of safety.