Latest news with #JorgeMas
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saudi Pro League club launch ambitious bid to sign Lionel Messi
There's a cloud of uncertainty around Lionel Messi's future at Inter Miami as his current contract runs out at the end of this year. Inter Miami reportedly have a 12-month extension clause in place which can be triggered by the club at any time. Advertisement However, with no agreement in place, Messi is allowed to speak with any interested club outside of America. As per reports on L'Equipe, Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli have shown interest in the 38-year-old. They are keen to bring Messi to Saudi Arabia once his current contract runs out in December. However, financial details of the approach are yet to be revealed. But Saudi Arabia are reportedly doing everything in their power to bring Messi to the Saudi Pro League. 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp If the deal materialises, Messi could be seen playing against his eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has recently signed a new contract with Al Nassr. This could prove to be a one last hurrah for the two legends in the twilight of their career. Advertisement Where could Lionel Messi end up next year? Messi moved out of Barcelona in 2023 when he joined Inter Miami in the United States. Back then, he had offers from Saudi Arabia, but he preferred a move to Miami. @InterMiamiCF He signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club, which is coming to an end this December. However, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas sounded very confident in an interaction with ESPN. He said, 'We wish for Messi to finish his career here." But with recent advances of Al Ahli, it will be interesting to see whether Messi decides to stay in Miami or takes up a new challenge in Saudi Arabia. Advertisement Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has scored 33 goals and assisted 22 in just 39 league games. He scored a brilliant brace in Inter Miami's 4-1 win over Montreal on Sunday, following their round of 16 exit from the Club World Cup. Lionel Messi news and related links
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What's next for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami after FIFA Club World Cup?
ATLANTA — Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas was jovial and upbeat, even in defeat. Fellow co-owner David Beckham was subdued. His playing days are long over, but he still suffers defeat as tough as he did as a competitor. They both met star Lionel Messi for an embrace outside Inter Miami's locker room for a brief chat, following the club's 4-0 elimination in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup to UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, June 29. 'We rose to the occasion. We gave it our all. And that has to serve us well for what's really important to us, which is what's coming next,' Messi told DSports after the loss. 'Anyway, I'm very happy to have been able to play in this Club World Cup, to have been able to compete, even though, obviously, we're in a different league, a different level, and we can't compete. We played against a team that is coming off a Champions League final win … and right now, they're the best team in the world, without a doubt. So, it was normal for what happened today to happen.' What's next for Messi and Inter Miami after being ousted in the tournament? The first two items on the agenda are exclusive to Messi — the reigning MLS MVP, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion. Messi is signed with Inter Miami through the rest of the 2025 MLS season (November or December, depending on the club's run in the MLS Cup playoffs). Mas would love for Messi to extend his stay with the club, at least through next season when Inter Miami opens its new stadium at Miami Freedom Park. He could extend for longer, too. Messi must also let the world know whether he will lead Argentina's World Cup defense in the tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It would be Messi's sixth World Cup and could be the final act of a legendary career as one of the greatest to ever play the sport. One teammate is hopeful Messi re-signs and takes the World Cup stage again, too. 'Yes, why not? At the end of the day, I don't see him anywhere else, to be honest, but it's his decision,' said Inter Miami's Jordi Alba, who played with Messi in Barcelona. 'Ultimately, the decisions he has made have always been the right ones, and obviously I see him competing for the World Cup.' Messi just finished his second straight summer of elite competition in the U.S. Some rest could be on the way for Messi when Inter Miami continues MLS regular-season play. He experienced some right thigh discomfort during the Club World Cup so maintenance will be needed. At least it won't be a lengthy layoff like last year, when he missed two months with a severe ankle injury he suffered in Argentina's Copa America title win against Colombia last July. Does Messi have (at least) one more summer in him? Remembering Inter Miami's Club World Cup run Sure, Inter Miami took a tough loss against PSG with the world watching on Sunday, June 29. But they can proudly say it's one of the best 16 clubs in the world after the Club World Cup. That's an accomplishment they can boast with pride. Still, it will be difficult to remember their Club World Cup run without thinking about the one game they let slip away. Inter Miami was so close to winning their group in the tournament. They had a 2-0 lead against Brazilian side Palmerias, but couldn't hang on. They allowed Palmeiras to score twice in the final 10 minutes of the match, settling for a bittersweet draw. They still advanced to the knockout stage, but they ran into a juggernaut in PSG. Palmeiras advanced past fellow Brazilian side Botafogo 1-0 in extra time during their June 28 round-of-16 match, and will face English Premier League side Chelsea in the quarterfinals. We will never know if Inter Miami could have beaten Botafogo or had a chance to compete against Chelsea. Even if they beat Palmeiras, it likely would have delayed the inevitability of them being eliminated. Still, it's something Inter Miami will wonder about. 'We ended up drawing and facing PSG, which was much more complicated, but it's not a criticism. Just a situation that could have been different, because if we had won 2-0, rather than drawing in the last 10 minutes, we wouldn't have been left with that bitter taste,' Messi said. 'But anyway, beyond that, I think we competed and now it's over, it's finished and we have to think about what's coming next, our next tournament and nothing else." Inter Miami was the first MLS team to face a reigning Champions League winner. They carried the flag for MLS in the tournament, while the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles FC were bounced during the group stage. Inter Miami earned the first win by a North American team against a European club in a FIFA competition, defeating FC Porto from Portugal on June 19. And Inter Miami cleared $21 million of a $1 billion prize pool in the Club World Cup. 'Our @fifaclubworldcup journey comes to an end. I'm so proud of the players, the staff and the fans for all we have achieved together these last few weeks,' Beckham wrote in an Instagram post after the game. 'We've shown the world what the city of Miami is capable of, performing on the biggest stage against the best.' What's next for Inter Miami? Inter Miami has 18 MLS regular-season matches remaining this season and will begin play later this month in the Leagues Cup tournament, which they won in 2023. Inter Miami returns to MLS action on July 5 in Montreal, then July 9 in New England. They've got six league matches to play before Leagues Cup begins on July 30. 'It serves us well,' Inter Miami goalkeeper Oscar Ustari said. 'We have to turn the page, obviously … but we mustn't forget what we've achieved.' Added Alba: 'We can compete against anyone … if we stay focused and keep this desire in the MLS, we'll have a lot of chances to win.' Inter Miami might be sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings and 10th for MLS's Supporters' Shield, which they won last season. But Inter Miami will continue to be a favorite to win MLS Cup later this year — especially after their Club World Cup performance. Inter Miami has won two titles since Messi joined the club in July 2023. Their pursuit to win the Concacaf Champions Cup failed earlier this year. Their aspirations to make a statement in the Club World Cup was a success. Another Leagues Cup title would be an accomplishment. Winning MLS Cup would further validate Inter Miami's Messi experience, beyond the impact he's already made playing in the U.S. for the last two years. 'We did our best and that has to serve us for what is really important, which is what is coming,' Messi said. 'Very happy to have been able to play this Club World Cup, to have been able to compete beyond the fact that we are in another league and at another level.' The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Inter Miami Turns Heads With Announcement Before Club World Cup
Inter Miami Turns Heads With Announcement Before Club World Cup originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On Wednesday, Inter Miami CF and all 31 other teams participating in the FIFA Club World Cup revealed their official squads for the new-look tournament. Advertisement To the surprise of no one, IMCF captain Lionel Messi headlined the Herons' squad list. He is joined by the rest of the team's former FC Barcelona quartet: forward Luis Suarez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and defender Jordi Alba. Inter Miami's first match is on Saturday against Egyptian club Al Ahly, but there are serious concerns about ticket sales and fan safety for the opening match at Hard Rock Stadium. Fans of the club were also concerned by the look of the squad list. It did not look very different from the team that is currently sixth overall in the MLS standings, with two wins in its last six matches. Inter Miami CF co-owners Jorge Mas (left) and David Beckham (right).Rich Storry-Imagn Images There was a special transfer window put into place by FIFA from June 1-June 10 to allow clubs competing in the Club World Cup to make signings to bolster their squads. Advertisement The tournament begins mere weeks after the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season for teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Despite the strain on the players (including Messi, 37, who returned from international duty with Argentina on Tuesday night to train in Miami on Wednesday ahead of the opening match), Inter Miami did not make any signings. For comparison, Manchester City made four. "Great use of the signing window," complained a fan under IMCF's roster announcement. "Not a single signing. Absolutely embarrassing," echoed another. "How do you not make a single move?" asked one response. Advertisement "You guys didn't even sign any players," wrote a user. "Humiliation ritual for Messi." Inter Miami is in Group A, which includes Al Ahly, Portuguese club FC Porto and Brazilian giants Palmeiras. If Messi and the Herons advance past the group stage, potential knockout round matches set for June 28-July 13 would create fixture congestion for their already thin squad, which has four MLS contests scheduled in the same period. Related: Lionel Messi's Interaction With Former Real Madrid Star Turns Heads Related: Lionel Messi Issues Demand To MLS After Inter Miami Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lionel Messi's Perfect Tournament Record at Risk Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup
Lionel Messi's Perfect Tournament Record at Risk Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will play the first game of the FIFA Club World Cup tomorrow against Al Ahly. The Argentine star faces a brand-new competition with Inter Miami since his arrival in the summer of 2023. Advertisement Messi helped Inter Miami win the 2023 League Cup and led the team to win the 2024 Supporters' Shield. The MLS Cup has not been secured so far, but it looms as the club's main goal. The Club World Cup this summer has become a new challenge for Messi and Inter Miami, and an almost impossible mission. While Inter Miami isn't among the favorites to win the Club World Cup, a record is at stake for Messi. The Argentine has participated in multiple important tournaments throughout his career for club and country. Messi is a fierce competitor, and he's expected to start strong in the Club World Cup, particularly in the first three games. Lionel Messi during the Group Stages Messi holds a unique record for club and country: he has never been eliminated from the group stage of any competition. This includes the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA World Cup, and the CONMEBOL Copa America. Advertisement Messi's teams have always advanced to the next knockout stages. This record is at risk due to Inter Miami's odds of getting out of the group. In Group A, Inter Miami will play Al Ahly, Palmeiras, and FC Porto. The odds favor Palmeiras and FC Porto ahead of Inter Miami. Palmeiras qualified for the Club World Cup after winning the 2021 Copa Libertadores. Porto qualified by being the fifth-best ranked eligible team in the UEFA four-year ranking. Al Ahly won the 2020-21 CAF Champions League to be placed in the Club World Cup. Despite facing a difficult group, Inter Miami remains confident in its ability to compete. Co-owner Jorge Mas wanted this competition for Inter Miami and aspires for the club to compete against elite teams in the future. Jorge Mas's high expectations for Inter Miami In an interview with ESPN ahead of the Club World Cup, Jorge Mas spoke about the high expectations for Inter Miami after this summer. He believes Messi will remain with the club through next year and compete among the top teams in this region. Advertisement The Club World Cup will include top teams from around the world, which is a start for Jorge Mas and his expectations for Inter Miami. He mentions the Copa Libertadores as the goal for Inter Miami to compete in soon. Jorge Mas: "I want to be the best team in the hemisphere, including teams in South and Central America, including teams not only in our confederation of Concacaf, but also others. It's been no secret either that I one day aspire, hopefully, that Inter Miami plays in a Copa Libertadores because it's a tournament that, firstly, Messi has not played in." Related: Club World Cup Faces Ticket Trouble — Only Two Teams Sell Out Early Games Related: FIFA Makes Deal with Miami Students to Fill Messi's Club World Cup Opener This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
CNBC
05-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
22. Inter Miami
Revenue and EBITDA figures are for the 2023-24 season, except for Major League Soccer teams, whose figures are for the 2024 Revenue and EBITDA figures have been converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate during the season (1 euro = $1.0816; 1 pound = $1.2608), and team values and debt figures have been converted using the exchange rate as of March 27, 2025 (1 euro = 1.0788; 1 pound = $1.2938). Total revenue: $185 millionEBITDA: $50 millionDebt as a percentage of value: 20% Match day: N/ACommercial: N/ABroadcasting: N/A Country: United StatesLeague: Major League SoccerLeague championships: 0Owner(s): David Beckham, Jorge Mas, Jose MasStadium: Chase Stadium – 21,550 seating capacity
