Lionel Messi storms straight down the tunnel as Inter Miami team-mates celebrate on pitch after snapping losing streak
The Argentine superstar netted his side's fourth goal with a brilliant goal in the 4-1 win.
2
2
The victory broke Inter Miami 's three-game losing run across all competitions.
Messi was joined on the scoresheet by Luis Suarez as well as Fafa Picault and Marcelo Weingandt.
But at full time, the World Cup winner was not in the mood to celebrate with his team-mates.
The Inter Miami stars lapped up the celebrations with the fans at the Chade Stadium.
But the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made his way straight down the tunnel and into the dressing room.
Messi did appear to be struggling with apparent fatigue in the second half of the match.
There is yet to be an official explanation for the forward's quick exit from the pitch.
The win for Inter Miami followed on from their exit from the ConcaChampions by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
The three points have put the club fourth in the Eastern Conference in the MLS.
Meanwhile, head coach Javier Mascherano hailed the win after the game.
Lionel Messi has sent fans into a frenzy by launching a treasure hunt as superstar footballer launches new drink
He said: "We needed this victory after three defeats, and to have some very good feelings again.
"In the first half, we had an effectiveness that we haven't had in several games, not just that we had a lot of [goalscoring] situations.
"And then we attempted in the second half with the last post entries, to manage the ball better, to control the match better.
"Not to be as direct, because the last 15, 20 minutes of the first half, we lost possession of the ball, they grew and they progressed on the field.
"We were trying to avoid giving them control of the game."
There are six more league fixtures before Inter Miami's Club World Cup campaign kicks off in June.
The team will face Al-Ahly, Porto and Palmeiras in the group stage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Football comes home: Jubilant fans greet Lionesses on return to England
The team landed back in the country on Monday afternoon after defending their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Supporters, many of whom were dressed in England kits and holding flags, cheered as they waited outside Southend Airport in Essex to greet the Lionesses. Among them were twins Poppy and Daisy Macdonald, 11, from Benfleet, Essex, who were holding a sign asking for a photo with star striker Alessia Russo. Poppy said: 'We're so proud. They've won it two times in a row and they've worked so hard for it. 'They've had a lot of injuries and setbacks but they've done really well.' Daisy admitted she struggled to watch the penalty shootout, adding: 'I couldn't watch, I was very nervous, but very happy that they won.' In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Welcoming back the CHAMPIONS! 🫡🎊 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 The team will be welcomed to a celebratory reception at Downing Street later on Monday, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Team captain Leah Williamson was seen smiling and holding the Euros trophy as the team left their hotel in Zurich and began their journey home in the rain. Other team members, wearing their medals, smiled as they high-fived supporters waiting outside the building and signed autographs. 🏆😍 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 Lauren Hemp was seen carrying a Beauty and the Beast castle made out of Lego on her journey home. Other players have discussed hobbies outside of football which they have used to help unwind during the tournament, with star striker Michelle Agyemang revealing she had brought a piano with her to Switzerland. Tuesday will see the team enjoy an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. However, the Lionesses began their celebrations in Switzerland and can be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, the dog, in a video posted on the team's official social media accounts. The team can be seen wearing their gold medals, chanting the white Cavapoo's name and waving his paw after the match. Reggie belongs to Cheals on Wheels, a barista company that travelled with the team to the tournament. Posting on Instagram, the company wrote that Reggie had 'gone international' and was 'soaking up all the love (and sneaky treats) from the team' in Switzerland. After the game, the King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' in a post on X, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can'. A trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team's triumph, saying the Lionesses had 'once again captured the hearts of the nation' and were 'an inspiration for young people across the country'. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. The Lionesses went on to triumph 3-1 on penalties. A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. At the presentation ceremony, William congratulated Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done' at the presentation ceremony. Home again 🔜🛫 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. On Monday, a mural at Russo's first grassroots club, Bearsted FC, was unveiled to mark the victory and celebrate National Lottery funding for the game. The red, white and blue image depicts the player alongside a St George's cross and a roaring lioness at the club in Maidstone, Kent. To celebrate the win, the Royal Mail will mark the occasion with a congratulatory postmark – which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to Friday. Fans can attend the homecoming celebrations in London for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
We did it – Hannah Hampton thanks late grandfather for inspiring Euro success
Hampton's two saves in England's penalty shootout with Spain to decide Sunday's final capped off a brilliant Euros for the Chelsea stopper, who set the stage for Chloe Kelly to fire in the winning spot-kick and ensure the Lionesses defended the crown they won at Wembley. The 24-year-old was named player of the match after the final, and on Monday shared she was heartbroken that her grandad did not live to see her fulfil their shared dream of seeing her play for England at a major tournament. A post shared by H (@_hannahhampton) Posting to her Instagram alongside a picture of her green England shirt with 'grandpa' printed in the neckline, Hampton wrote: 'Dear Grandpa. 'Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left. It still doesn't feel real. I kept thinking when I'd call nannie I'd hear your voice again – one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all. 'You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like. 'You were always there: watching, encouraging, teaching. You taught me so much, not just about football, but about life. About staying grounded, working hard, being resilient and doing things the right way. 'I miss our chats. I miss you saying, 'only us athletes understand' — always with a little smirk like you were in on something special. And you were. You got it. You understood what this meant to me. You understood what it took.' Hampton – who had usurped Euro 2022 winner Mary Earps to become Sarina Wiegman's first-choice keeper – was under enormous pressure to deliver in Switzerland, particularly after Earps announced her shock international retirement in May, leaving Hampton with two uncapped backups in Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse. She was a revelation at the tournament, from her wonder pass to set up Lauren James' goal against the Netherlands in the group stage to playing through a bloody nose in their quarter-final shootout with Sweden. Hampton kept England alive for 120 minutes in the final before denying Women's Super League player of the season Mariona Caldentey, then back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, in the shootout. back to back. — Hannah Hampton (@hannahhampton_) July 27, 2025 Hampton has made a point of proving people wrong her whole life. Had she listened to the doctors who diagnosed her with an eye condition that affects her depth perception, she might not be playing football, let alone goalkeeping, at all. On Sunday, she proved her detractors wrong once and for all. 'It breaks my heart that you didn't get to see me walk out for our country at my first major tournament,' she continued. 'Something you dreamed of for me, something we talked about so many times. I wanted to see your face or hear your voice after the game calling back home. I wanted to share that with you. 'But I know, deep down, you were still there. I felt you with me. In the tunnel. On the pitch. In the tough moments. I heard you in my head when I needed strength. I hope I made you proud, Grandpa. 'I carried you through every minute, and I always will. I did it. We did it.' Hampton was one of four England players named in UEFA's team of the tournament on Monday afternoon, along with defender Lucy Bronze and forwards Kelly and Alessia Russo. Four players from runners-up Spain also made the XI – Irene Paredes and midfield trio Patri Guijarro, Bonmati and Alexia Putellas – along with Italy's Elena Linari and Germany duo Franziska Kett and Jule Brand.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
We did it – Hannah Hampton thanks late grandfather for inspiring Euro success
The 24-year-old was named player of the match after the final, and on Monday shared she was heartbroken that her grandad did not live to see her fulfil their shared dream of seeing her play for England at a major tournament. Posting to her Instagram alongside a picture of her green England shirt with 'grandpa' printed in the neckline, Hampton wrote: 'Dear Grandpa. 'Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left. It still doesn't feel real. I kept thinking when I'd call nannie I'd hear your voice again – one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all. 'You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like. 'You were always there: watching, encouraging, teaching. You taught me so much, not just about football, but about life. About staying grounded, working hard, being resilient and doing things the right way. 'I miss our chats. I miss you saying, 'only us athletes understand' — always with a little smirk like you were in on something special. And you were. You got it. You understood what this meant to me. You understood what it took.' Hannah Hampton kept out two Spain penalties in the shootout (Nick Potts/PA) Hampton – who had usurped Euro 2022 winner Mary Earps to become Sarina Wiegman's first-choice keeper – was under enormous pressure to deliver in Switzerland, particularly after Earps announced her shock international retirement in May, leaving Hampton with two uncapped backups in Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse. She was a revelation at the tournament, from her wonder pass to set up Lauren James' goal against the Netherlands in the group stage to playing through a bloody nose in their quarter-final shootout with Sweden. Hampton kept England alive for 120 minutes in the final before denying Women's Super League player of the season Mariona Caldentey, then back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, in the shootout. Hampton has made a point of proving people wrong her whole life. Had she listened to the doctors who diagnosed her with an eye condition that affects her depth perception, she might not be playing football, let alone goalkeeping, at all. On Sunday, she proved her detractors wrong once and for all. 'It breaks my heart that you didn't get to see me walk out for our country at my first major tournament,' she continued. 'Something you dreamed of for me, something we talked about so many times. I wanted to see your face or hear your voice after the game calling back home. I wanted to share that with you. 'But I know, deep down, you were still there. I felt you with me. In the tunnel. On the pitch. In the tough moments. I heard you in my head when I needed strength. I hope I made you proud, Grandpa. 'I carried you through every minute, and I always will. I did it. We did it.'
