After MLS reviewed the postgame incident involving the referees at the stadium following LAFC vs. Inter Miami, Lionel Messi has officially avoided suspension.

Lionel Messi was at the center of controversy after the 2026 Major League Soccer opener against LAFC, where the star was seen in a heated exchange with referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere in a stadium hallway. Now the Inter Miami CF captain has avoided suspension following a league review.

After the 3-0 defeat to LAFC, Messi appeared frustrated with the referee’s performance over several off-the-ball incidents that went unpenalized. Following the match, a video showed Messi walking through a doorway near the officials while teammate Luis Suarez tried to guide him back toward the locker room.

The day after the match, ESPN reported that Chris Rivett, communications director for the Professional Referee Organization, confirmed Messi never entered the officials’ locker room: “After speaking with match officials, we can confirm he did not enter the premises.“

Matt Miazga was the most recent player disciplined for entering a referees’ restricted area without authorization, an incident that initially drew a three-game suspension before it was reduced to one. In this case, the door Messi went through was not the referees’ locker room and was not considered a restricted space.

In fact, the officials’ locker room was located up a staircase and had its own marked entrance with signage restricting access. With any doubt about a rules violation resolved, the matter will not be referred to the MLS Disciplinary Committee, meaning Messi will not face a suspension.

Messi and a heated confrontation after the game

During the postgame press conference, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was asked whether Messi had shown dissatisfaction with the officiating. “No, no, I didn’t see anything. Honestly, the match ended and then I went to the locker room,” Mascherano said.

However, while heading down the tunnel, Messi was filmed by Pase Filtrado confronting Lauziere and members of the officiating crew. “You have to show respect, and it’s not the first time. Fans can say stupid things, but you can’t…,” he was heard saying during the exchange.

What’s next for Inter Miami?

After a disappointing MLS opener against LAFC, Inter Miami will travel to Puerto Rico for Thursday’s match against Independiente del Valle. The game had originally been scheduled for Friday, February 13, but a muscle issue Messi picked up against Barcelona SC prompted both clubs to agree to a new date.

The Herons return to league play Sunday when they face Orlando City FC in the Florida derby on March 1. With Messi cleared of any suspension, the Fort Lauderdale side will look to rebound from the performance it showed against LAFC.

Weeks after taking the decision to sit down for two league games, Cristiano Ronaldo reaffirmed his commitment to both Al Nassr and the Saudi Pro League.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been in strong form since his return to Al Nassr following controversy involving both the league and the Public Investment Fund at the end of the winter transfer window. After scoring a brace against Al Hazm, the Portuguese star finally broke his silence and delivered a message reaffirming his commitment to both the club and the Saudi Pro League.

During a protest that began in the first week of February, Ronaldo’s reported frustration centered on what he viewed as favoritism toward Al Hilal, leading him to sit out two consecutive league matches. The dissatisfaction was also reportedly tied to delayed payments affecting Al Nassr staff, an issue later resolved, after which Ronaldo returned to action.

He made his comeback in the February 14 match against Al Fateh and, despite having gone two weeks without playing, scored in a 2-0 victory. On February 21, Ronaldo continued his strong run with two goals against Al Hazm, moving closer to Ivan Toney in the Golden Boot race.

Ronaldo’s commitment to Saudi Arabia

Ronaldo had not publicly addressed his protest, and after several social media posts directed at Al Nassr, he finally spoke to reporters during Founding Day celebrations. “I’m very happy. As I’ve said so many times, I belong to Saudi Arabia, it’s a country that welcome very well to me, my family, my friends, I’m happy here, I want to continue here,” he stated after the game.

Since arriving in Saudi Arabia in December 2022, Ronaldo has become a central figure in the country’s sporting project, particularly with an eye toward the 2034 World Cup. Following his recent boycott, speculation grew that he might leave the league after that tournament, but his latest remarks reinforced his commitment to the project in the Middle East, where he is under contract through June 2027.

Al Nassr reclaim top spot in league

Al Nassr opened the 2025-26 season with the best start in Saudi Pro League history, winning 10 straight matches to establish themselves as the clear leader. However, a stretch of one draw and three consecutive losses in four games saw the club slide down the standings and struggle to keep pace with its rivals.

Ronaldo also addressed the team’s current position, now back atop the table with 55 points after Al Hilal slipped to second following a 1–1 draw with Al Ittihad: “The most important it’s that we keep pushing, we are there at the top. Let’s see, we do our job, win, make pressure, and let’s see at the end of the season.“

Ronaldo recently stressed the importance of taking things “step by step” as the club pursues its primary objective, the league title, and with four goals in his last three matches, the striker remains confident in the team’s form. “We’re on track, we’re back, we’re good, we’re confident. Game by game, we’re in good shape. Let’s see what happens,” he concluded.

After entering the referee-exclusive area after the LAFC vs. Inter Miami game, Lionel Messi could be facing a heavy suspension in the MLS.

Lionel Messi became one of the main storylines as Major League Soccer returned with the opener against LAFC, but for the wrong reasons. Following an incident near the referee area, the Inter Miami star could face a significant suspension that might sideline him for several matches.

High expectations surrounded the MLS opener between LAFC and Inter Miami, including a marquee showdown between stars Son Heung-min and Messi in front of a packed crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The match did not unfold as expected for the defending MLS champions, who struggled to break down the hosts’ defense as LAFC capitalized on counterattacks to secure a commanding 3-0 victory.

As for Messi, the Argentine was largely quiet in the attacking third, recording four shots, none on target, along with three key passes that teammates failed to convert. What appeared to frustrate him most was a series of challenges he felt went unpunished by referee Pierre-Luc Lauziere, who called only two fouls in his favor, a situation that visibly irritated the star.

That frustration carried over after full time, when Messi confronted Lauziere off the field. In footage captured inside the stadium by Giovanni Guerrero, the Argentine, no longer wearing his Inter Miami shirt after swapping it with Denis Bouanga, approached the official and entered an area reserved for referees.

In the video, Luis Suarez can be seen restraining an agitated Messi, pulling him back down the hallway to defuse the situation while Lauziere was already out of frame. Seconds after stepping into the restricted area, Messi and Suarez exited and headed to the locker room with teammates.

Messi and a potential three-game suspension

The incident could result in Messi missing multiple matches. The most recent comparable case involving a player entering a referee-only area was Matt Miazga, who received a three-game suspension from MLS authorities.

On November 4, 2023, during a match between FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls, the referee reported that roughly an hour after the game, Miazga entered the officials’ locker room uninvited, “used foul language and acted in an aggressive manner,” prompting the suspension, which was later reduced to one match after the player agreed to participate in the SABH program.

Messi and past suspensions

So far, MLS has not issued a statement regarding the situation that could lead to a suspension for Messi. The initial determination will come from Lauziere’s match report, which will note whether the incident warrants disciplinary action; depending on how far Messi entered the restricted area and what was said, a ban could follow.

Messi was already involved in a major controversy during the 2025 MLS season when he chose to sit out the MLS All-Star Game alongside Jordi Alba, resulting in a one-match suspension. Inter Miami are now set to visit Orlando City on March 1, D.C. United on March 7 and Charlotte FC on March 14, with his availability for those matches now in serious doubt.

Timo Werner's move to SJ Earthquakes got heavily questioned by USMNT legend Tim Howard: "Does that get better in MLS?"

Timo Werner became one of the blockbuster moves of the 2026 MLS winter transfer window after completing his signing with San Jose Earthquakes. However, the striker has not escaped scrutiny, in this case from USMNT legend Tim Howard, who strongly questioned the move.

During the 2025 summer transfer window, Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller were among the most high-profile European stars to join MLS, signing with LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps, respectively. In the current window, the spotlight has shifted to Werner and James Rodríguez, who completed moves to San Jose and Minnesota United.

While discussing those transfers on the Unfiltered Soccer YouTube channel with Landon Donovan, Howard offered a blunt assessment of the German striker: “I’m going to say something really disrespectful and I don’t know how else to say it, but Timo Werner couldn’t hit a cow’s a– with a banjo. I’ve watched Tim for two seasons at Tottenham Hotspur literally go through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and the ball ends up… it’s hard to watch.“

Despite winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and earning numerous caps with Germany, Howard focused on the striker’s recent struggles. Unsuccessful spells back at RB Leipzig and in England with Tottenham have seen Werner fall short of the level he showed earlier in his career.

“You ever see a baseball player get the yips, and it’s hard to watch? I’m thinking it almost became comical, and I’m like, ‘that’s not okay,’” Howard said. “When it becomes comical you’re sort of infringing on someone’s personal space kind of thing, and so even though I just said a very disrespectful statement, does that get better in MLS? I don’t know,” he added.

“I’m betting no, if I had to bet,” Donovan replied. During the 2025-26 season at Leipzig, Werner, sidelined from the plans of head coach Ole Werner, has played just 14 minutes across three appearances, with his last official match coming against Bayer Leverkusen on December 20, arriving in MLS far from peak form.

What about James Rodríguez?

James Rodríguez is facing a similar situation to Werner in terms of inactivity. With Club León, his last match came against Puebla on November 8, and after his contract with the Liga MX side expired, he trained on his own until Minnesota’s offer arrived and completed the signing in early February.

However, the USMNT legend has very different expectations for the Colombian star, who is aiming to be fully fit for the 2026 World Cup: “And then James Rodríguez — from a couple people I talked to who are sort of at and around Everton and other places — they said to me, ‘Look, Tim, if Lionel Messi’s not on the field, James Rodríguez will be the best player on every field he touches.’”

With the beginning of the 2026 MLS just around the corner, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami have completed a significant move in their roster.

Lionel Messi has witnessed a major transformation within the Inter Miami squad following a triumphant 2025 season, with the club now targeting international success in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Looking to set the bar even higher, the Herons have made a significant roster move ahead of the start of the 2026 MLS campaign.

As announced by the club Thursday, Inter Miami CF have acquired an International Roster Slot for the 2026 MLS season. In an agreement completed with the New England Revolution, the Herons have taken a step that could precede another major move before the winter transfer window closes on March 26.

Meanwhile, New England will also benefit from the deal during the current window. According to the Eastern Conference side, “in exchange, the Club has traded $125,000 in 2026 General Allocation Money (GAM) and an additional $125,000 in 2027 GAM.“

However, Inter Miami will have to act quickly during the current transfer window to take full advantage of the newly opened slot. Among the details of the agreement, the club noted that “as part of the deal, the international roster slot will return to New England at the opening of the Secondary Transfer Window (July 13).”

Inter Miami moves so far

After claiming the MLS Cup in 2025, Messi saw several teammates either retire, such as Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, or depart following expiring contracts or loan deals. Still, Inter Miami’s front office has worked to cover those exits with as many as 10 signings, raising expectations with a World Cup year approaching.

The most notable additions were new Designated Player Germán Berterame, for whom Miami reportedly paid $15 million to Monterrey, and the permanent return of Tadeo Allende for $5 million. The rest of the list includes goalkeepers Rocco Ríos Novo, Dayne St. Clair and Luis Barraza; defenders Facundo Mura, Micael and Sergio Reguilón; midfielder David Ayala; and Inter Miami II forward Dániel Pintér.

Inter Miami not done in transfer market, says coach

One deal Inter Miami failed to complete recently was the permanent signing of Argentine prospect Baltasar Rodríguez after the club could not reach an agreement with Racing Club for one of last season’s regular starters. Still, head coach Javier Mascherano says the club remains active despite its already heavy spending.

Before traveling to Ecuador for a recent friendly against Barcelona SC, Mascherano addressed the possibility of further additions: “We are not done with the transfer window because this one is longer than the others, and we are always looking to add people who can contribute and improve what we have,” the Argentine coach said. With an international roster slot now secured, Inter Miami could be positioning itself for another move in the coming days.

After dismissing Vinicius Junior's claims, Benfica decided to hit Real Madrid back filling a complaint to UEFA, accusing star Federico Valverde for "violent conduct."

Benfica have shown no signs of slowing down after their UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid, a match in which controversy surrounding the alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Junior took center stage. In addition to dismissing the allegations, the Portuguese club has filed a complaint with UEFA targeting Federico Valverde for violent conduct.

Tuesday’s playoff game at Estádio da Luz was marked by several controversial moments, along with a disputed refereeing performance from François Letexier and the VAR team. One of those incidents occurred late in the match and involved Valverde.

In the 83rd minute, Valverde chased a long ball while being closely marked by left back Samuel Dahl. As the Swedish defender grabbed him, the Real Madrid midfielder, attempting to break free, swung his right arm toward Dahl’s face, making contact but not striking him cleanly.

After the contact, Dahl fell to the ground and a foul was called against Valverde. However, what raised further questions was that the Uruguayan midfielder faced no additional punishment, not even a yellow card, and VAR did not review the incident.

Following the episode, Portuguese outlet A Bola reported that Benfica decided to submit a disciplinary complaint to UEFA against Federico Valverde. The filing alleges violent conduct related to the incident with Dahl, arguing that his intent was not to play the ball but to strike the defender.

Because Valverde went unpunished during the match, the complaint was submitted so UEFA’s Disciplinary Committee can review the situation. Benfica now hope the body can act in time for the second leg of the Champions League playoff, scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Mourinho and the strong complaints over refereeing

José Mourinho was also a central figure in the Champions League clash, addressing his role in the incident involving Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni. During the match, he became a focal point after being sent off in the 86th minute with two quick yellow cards for protesting to Letexier over what he felt was a missed second booking for Vinicius following a foul near the box on Richard Rios.

In his postgame press conference, Mourinho strongly criticized the French official for not booking Aurélien Tchouaméni, Álvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen — players who would have been suspended for the second leg if they had received yellow cards: “There’s nothing to explain, it’s all very obvious: I have 1,400 matches, it’s simple — he (Letexier) had a little note that said Carreras, Tchouaméni, Huijsen: if they get a yellow card they can’t play. And someone told him they couldn’t be booked.“

Mourinho then detailed the moments he believed warranted bookings for Madrid players. “Carreras made a grotesque dive and didn’t get a yellow, Tchouaméni committed 10 fouls and didn’t get a yellow. The only thing I told him was: I stated a fact, then with his arrogance he sent me off. There’s no crisis,” he stated.

With the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina, Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior delivered a worrying injury on star defender Marc Cucurella.

Marc Cucurella has raised alarm bells within the Spain camp after suffering an injury that has sidelined him for Chelsea’s most recent matches. With the Finalissima against Argentina set to take place in about a month, the Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior provided a concerning update on the Spanish defender.

In the Premier League match against Leeds United on Feb. 10, Cucurella was forced off at halftime and replaced by Jorrel Hato. The coach noted afterward that the left back was dealing with hamstring discomfort, and following tests last Thursday, he was ruled out of Chelsea‘s most recent FA Cup match against Hull City.

Rosenior spoke at Thursday’s press conference ahead of the match against Burnley, and when asked about the defender, his response was far from optimistic: “I can’t give an exact timeframe on Marc. He suffered a hamstring injury just before half-time in the Leeds game. It’s a real shame because he’s an outstanding player, and one of the best left-backs in the world.“

Despite being unable to provide a recovery timeline, he expressed confidence in Chelsea’s depth and the players ready to step in. “It’s a shame not to have Marc available but we have Jorrel (Hato) and we have Malo (Gusto) who can play on that side, so we have really good players that can cover,” the 41-year-old coach stated.

Sitting fifth in the league with 44 points, one point outside the UEFA Champions League qualification spots, Chelsea will face Burnley on Saturday, and in two weeks they meet Arsenal in a key matchup, with one of the squad’s stars in serious doubt. “Of course, the sooner Marc gets back, the better,” he concluded.

Spain monitoring Cucurella’s fitness

Cucurella has become a key piece for Spain under head coach Luis de la Fuente, bringing his international totals to 22 appearances, one goal and two assists. While his scoring numbers for La Roja are modest, his defensive work and attacking support down the left flank alongside Nico Williams have established him as one of the top players in the world at his position.

BBC Sport‘s Nizaar Kinsella reports that Cucurella hopes to return in three to four weeks after undergoing a scan on his hamstring. With the Finalissima scheduled for March 27, the left back could be available in time, though likely short of peak form. While Alejandro Grimaldo presents another option at left back, the absence of Cucurella, a more defensively reliable presence, would still represent a significant blow for Spain.

Similar as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappé, Thibaut Courtois has turned into the co-owner of a club while still being active.

After retiring, many players choose to invest in or own clubs, but in recent years stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé have joined a growing group of active players holding ownership stakes while still competing. This time, another Real Madrid star has followed that trend, as Thibaut Courtois has become a co-owner of a European club while continuing his playing career.

Courtois announced that he will be involved in the ownership of Le Mans FC through his investment group NxtPlay, providing capital as part of the team’s long-term project. The French side has also unveiled a major internal restructuring, with a Brazilian investment fund Outfield, that was already involved, now becoming the club’s majority stakeholder.

Meanwhile, NxtPlay is an investment group that also includes stars from other sports such as tennis legend Novak Djokovic and former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen. That means all of these figures, including Courtois, are now minority owners and shareholders of Le Mans.

Le Mans have shown steady progress in France, finishing 15th last season before earning promotion to Ligue 2, where they currently sit fifth amid a 20-game unbeaten run. They also reached the Round of 16 in the Coupe de France, and with this new investment and the influence of Courtois and his partners, the club aims to push for promotion to Ligue 1.

Après @DjokerNole, @KevinMagnussen et @MassaFelipe19, @thibautcourtois monte à bord du projet LE MANS FC via son véhicule d'investissement NXTPLAY 🏎️

Bienvenue Thibaut, bienvenue NXTPLAY 🤝#AllezLEMANSFC ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/6XjolKNpt9

— LE MANS FC (@LEMANSFC) February 19, 2026

Other active players who own clubs

Depending on the country and its regulations, active players may be restricted from owning or holding shares in clubs within the same domestic system, as it could raise integrity concerns. Still, some have found ways to invest, either abroad or under permitted structures.

Mbappé, for example, became the majority investor in SM Caen in 2024 for a reported €20 million. Because he had already completed his move to Spain by that point, the arrangement did not pose a conflict within French competition rules, making him one of the youngest club owners in the sport.

Another notable partnership is led by Inter Miami stars Messi and Luis Suarez. Founded in May 2025, the South American icons entered the ownership arena with Deportivo LSM, a club currently competing in the fourth division in Uruguay.

In Saudi Arabia, regulations appear different, as Ronaldo is reported to own 15% of Al Nassr, his current team. Other active players such as Vinícius Júnior (Alverca), Luka Modrić (Swansea City) and N’Golo Kanté (Royal Excelsior Virton) are also part of a growing trend of players expanding their influence in soccer from the ownership side while still active on the field.

Nearly a month before the Finalissima against Spain, Lionel Messi could be facing a major squad concern after an Argentina star raised alarms by suffering an injury.

Lionel Messi will have the chance to claim yet another, albeit unofficial, trophy with Argentina when they face Spain in the Finalissima during the upcoming March international window. However, concern is mounting over a potential setback for Messi, as one of La Albiceleste’s key players has raised injury worries.

During Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Bodo/Glimt, Lautaro Martinez was forced to leave the match after suffering an injury. After hitting the post with a shot early in the second half, the Inter Milan striker began limping and asked to be substituted, exiting in the 60th minute for Marcus Thuram.

Asked about Lautaro’s condition after the match, Inter head coach Cristian Chivu delivered a concerning update: “We’ve lost Lautaro. He got hurt — it’s a muscle problem. He’ll be out for quite a while; we’ll see now. I’m not a doctor and I can’t talk about recovery timelines. After he undergoes tests, we’ll understand the severity of the injury.“

Aside from Inter’s 3-1 loss in the first leg of the Champions League playoff against Bodo/Glimt, Martínez’s absence would be a major blow for the Italian side. The second leg, set for Tuesday the 24th at Giuseppe Meazza, will require a comeback, and Inter could be without their top scorer this season.

Will Lautaro make it to the Finalissima?

After scoring the winning goal in the 2024 Copa América final, Lautaro Martínez has established himself as one of Argentina’s attacking leaders, meaning his absence would be a significant loss. Despite competition for his spot from Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid, the Inter captain has been in stronger form in recent months.

Currently leading the Serie A scoring charts, Martínez has recorded 18 goals and four assists in 35 appearances, playing a key role in Inter’s place atop the standings. By contrast, Alvarez recently ended a 65-day goal drought with a strike against FC Barcelona and has tallied 13 goals and six assists in 35 matches — a slight dip compared to last season.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope regarding Martínez’s availability for the final against Spain. According to Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, the striker has not suffered a serious injury, and while it’s yet to be confirmed, this muscle injury in his left calf “will keep him off the field for a few weeks, but it’s nothing more than a strain,” the journalist reported.

Medical tests are scheduled for Friday, when a clearer recovery timeline should emerge. Mild strains typically require one to three weeks of recovery, while moderate tears can take three to six weeks, meaning that, with the Finalissima set for March 27, Martínez could still have a chance to be fit in time.

With FC Barcelona’s presidential elections on the horizon, Lionel Messi has once again become a talking point, as Joan Laporta outlined his plans for the club legend if reelected.

Lionel Messi has repeatedly spoken about returning to Barcelona one day as one of his biggest personal goals, and after his abrupt departure in 2021, Blaugrana fans never had the chance to properly say goodbye to the club’s greatest legend. With presidential elections approaching at Barcelona, Joan Laporta has now outlined his plans for the Argentine icon.

Laporta submitted his resignation as Barcelona president on February 9, a step taken so he could formally run for reelection. Voting for the Spanish giant’s next president is scheduled for March 15, and with campaigning underway, Messi’s name has once again become a major talking point across the city.

During a campaign presentation in Girona, Laporta fielded questions from club members and supporters. Alongside inquiries about the pillars of his platform, the candidate was asked what he would do regarding Messi if reelected, and he reiterated his familiar stance.

“Like (Ladislao) Kubala and (Johan) Cruyff, I think Messi deserves a statue, and we should also arrange a tribute match that we’re open to organizing whenever they want—something that would be beautiful to see for everything he’s given to Barça, and I also want to say that Barça has given him a lot,” he said, again raising the idea of honoring the Argentine legend.

Although Laporta acknowledged that his relationship with Messi cooled after the departure, he expressed hope that a reunion could eventually happen. “I think the statue and the tribute are what he deserves. He has a current contract where he is and it runs until 2028. I think that would be ideal,” he added, effectively ruling out a short-term return as a player.

Messi, a focal point in Barcelona elections

Laporta became the figure tasked with leading Barcelona out of crisis after the era of Josep Maria Bartomeu in 2021, when the club was mired in severe financial trouble that still hasn’t fully cleared. Those economic issues ultimately led to Messi’s departure despite their previously close relationship, and they also prevented a comeback when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in 2023.

Speaking to La2Cat in December 2025, Laporta admitted he still regrets not being able to keep Messi at the club. “It’s an issue that saddens me. Leo has given a lot to Barça and Barça to Leo. I hope we meet again,” he said, while stressing he had no regrets about his decision because “above everything is the institution.”

Still, rival candidates have tried to capitalize on Laporta’s strained relationship with Messi by making the Argentine central to their own campaigns. One of the most vocal has been Víctor Font, who criticized Laporta over the fractured bond while also questioning his perceived closeness to Real Madrid, something he called “unforgivable.”

In a public appearance in late January, Font outlined one of his proposals involving Messi: “What I’ll do first if I win will be to call Leo Messi. I have a way to reach him, directly or indirectly. Rebuilding bridges with the absolute legends of this club is an absolute priority. Messi is our history. We’ll explain our plan to him once we’ve won the election. He has to have the role he deserves.“

Set to face Son Heung-min in the MLS opener against LAFC, Lionel Messi has been handed a major squad boost at Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi will be in the spotlight this weekend as Inter Miami travel to the West Coast to face LAFC in their opening match of the 2026 Major League Soccer season as they begin their title defense. Ahead of the clash with Son Heung-min, another global face of the league, the Argentine star has received a major squad boost.

After a preseason that fell well short of expectations, including the postponement of their final friendly against Independiente del Valle due to Messi’s injury, Inter Miami entered the final stretch of preparation with uncertainty surrounding the roster. Messi provided relief by returning to training on Wednesday, and now even more good news has arrived in Fort Lauderdale.

As reported by journalist Jose Armando, Germán Berterame has finally received his work visa and will be available for the MLS opener against LAFC. The Mexico international had been dealing with bureaucratic issues in recent days, preventing him from training with the Herons, but once clearance was granted he immediately rejoined the squad.

Inter Miami paid Monterrey $15 million to sign Berterame in one of the most expensive transfers in MLS history. The striker featured during preseason, debuting against Atlético Nacional in Colombia and even scoring his first goal in pink against Barcelona SC in Ecuador.

However, once the team returned to Fort Lauderdale, Berterame was sidelined awaiting permit approval, a situation that would forced him to miss the friendly against Independiente del Valle in Puerto Rico (now rescheduled for Feb. 26). This latest development makes the striker available to train alongside his teammates to prepare for the MLS opener.

All bureaucracy obstacles cleared at Inter Miami

During the 2026 preseason, Inter Miami had to deal with multiple administrative hurdles affecting several players, not only new arrivals but also returning members of the squad. In addition to Berterame, Micael also spent time away from team training while waiting for work authorization.

Head coach Javier Mascherano acknowledged the complications in comments to the club’s official media channels: “We’re still making a few adjustments because with visa matters and certain administrative issues, it can sometimes be a bit more complicated in this league to have everyone available at the same time. But we’re hopeful that we’ll be fully ready for the Saturday match.“

Other players who were navigating paperwork were midfielder Telasco Segovia and defender Maximiliano Falcón, both of whom were completing their green card processes. All have now finalized their documentation and are cleared to train and be available for the season opener.

Every Inter Miami player, including Mess, took part in Wednesday’s training session except Sergio Reguilón, who has been sidelined with an injury since the preseason opener against Alianza Lima in late January. Aside from the Spanish defender, the Herons will have a full squad available for the showdown with LAFC.

Anthony Gordon wrote his name in Newcastle United history registering four goals in the first half in the UEFA Champions League game against Qarabag, prompting questions on how many times have Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo recorded that feat.

Anthony Gordon went on a rampage on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League, helping Newcastle United surge ahead of Qarabag in style by scoring four goals before halftime. After such an astonishing individual display, questions arose about how many times the competition’s all-time leading scorers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, have achieved such a feat.

The game started quickly for the Magpies, with Dan Burn threading a pass through for Gordon to open the scoring after 122 seconds, the fastest goal by any Newcastle player in the history of the competition. Then in the 32nd minute, after Harvey Barnes was fouled in the box, Gordon added his third goal of the night from the penalty spot.

Shortly after play resumed, Qarabag gave the ball away, and following a failed touch from a defender, Gordon pounced, rounded goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski and scored Newcastle’s fourth to complete his hat trick. Just before halftime, the winger was brought down inside the box again and, as the designated taker, calmly slotted home his fourth of the match.

Now sitting second in the scoring table just behind Kylian Mbappé (13), Gordon has made history for the English side, becoming the first player in club history to score four goals in a European match. In addition, with 10 goals in the 2025-26 edition, he has also become Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer in the Champions League as well as the club’s single-season record holder.

How many times have Messi and Ronaldo scored four goals in UCL before halftime?

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi stand as the two greatest scorers in Champions League history, each producing elite performances for more than a decade. However, Gordon appears to have something on them in this particular category.

Neither Ronaldo nor Messi has ever scored four goals in the first half of a Champions League match. Both superstars have recorded four-goal games, but none of those came within the opening 45 minutes.

In fact, Gordon is only the second player ever to accomplish the feat in Europe’s top competition. The first was Luiz Adriano, who, while playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, scored four first-half goals against BATE Borisov before adding a fifth after the break during the 2014-15 group stage.

Still, Ronaldo and Messi have their own remarkable four-goal records. Ronaldo netted four against Malmö FF in a 20-minute span (39th to 59th minute), while Messi produced his haul in a dazzling display against Arsenal in 2009, scoring in the 21st, 37th, 42nd and 88th minutes.

A World Cup-winning Argentina teammate of Lionel Messi once failed a trial at Barcelona: “He was very bad.”

With Lionel Messi as captain, Argentina national team won the 2022 World Cup with a squad full of players who had flown under the radar for years before the tournament. After lifting the trophy, a former FC Barcelona prospect revealed that one of his Albiceleste teammates once failed a trial with the club — and did so with a blunt assessment: “He was very bad.”

Back when he was 17 and still part of Boca Juniors’ youth system, Nahuel Molina traveled to Spain for a trial hoping to make the leap to Europe, specifically with one of the game’s biggest clubs. However, one player who did pass that trial, Éric Montes, later claimed Molina fell well short of the standard Barcelona expected.

In an interview with Spanish outlet Post United, Montes recalled details of that trial a decade ago: “During one preseason, three Argentinians came in for trials and didn’t meet the level — they were very bad. I later found out that Nahuel Molina was one of them.”

Even though the identities of the other two Argentines never became public, Montes said none of them matched the club’s expectations to stay. He also highlighted the contrast between his own path and Molina’s. “To show you how things are, he was a ‘Matao.’ Look at the Matao now and look at me,” Montes added, using Spanish football slang for a player considered limited or low-level.

While Montes remained at Barcelona’s academy after the trial, he never made his debut in Spain’s first division. In contrast, Molina eventually broke through after joining Atlético Madrid in 2022 and went on to win multiple trophies alongside Messi with Argentina — a striking turnaround from that failed trial in Spain.

Molina, Montes, and the Barcelona bubble

The careers of Molina and Montes serve as a reminder of how quickly a player’s trajectory can change, even after time inside one of soccer’s most prestigious academies. Though he never debuted for Boca Juniors’ first team, the Argentine right back moved to Europe with Udinese in 2020 before later joining Atlético Madrid to then conquer the World Cup, while Montes’ career took a far different path.

He never broke into Barcelona’s senior squad and instead went on loan to lower-division Spanish clubs such as Peralada, Cultural Leonesa, Albacete, Gimnàstic, and Manresa before retiring at 27 because of a serious knee injury. “You leave the Barcelona bubble and start to realize what real life is,” he reflected.

Cristiano Ronaldo will be facing a long break due to FIFA calendar until his next game with Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 41 years old, remains a central figure for both his club, Al Nassr, and the Portugal national team. Still drawing global attention, the key question now is when the legendary striker will take the field again.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s next game is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, when Al Nassr will be visiting Al Namja for Matchday 24 of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League at Al-Najma Club Stadium. The Portuguese heads to the game after scoring a brace in the 4-0 win against Al Hazm.

Regarding the Portugal national team, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return during the March international break. After having his suspension lifted ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the veteran forward will be available for selection for Portugal’s two friendlies, one of which is reportedly set to be against the USMNT.

So far this season, the Portuguese icon has scored 21 goals and provided 3 assists in 24 games for Al Nassr, while netting 5 goals in 5 UEFA World Cup qualifiers for Portugal. With the World Cup set for the USA, Canada, and Mexico at the end of the campaign, Ronaldo will be determined to arrive at what will likely be his final major tournament in top form.

Ronaldo and a long break due to FIFA schedule

After his stunning bicycle-kick goal against Al Khaleej, Cristiano Ronaldo was rested for Al Nassr’s midweek AFC Champions League Two match. But from that point forward, the Portuguese star will endure a 24-day gap without competitive action, a result of the upcoming FIFA competition schedule.

From December 1 through 18, Qatar will host the second edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, with the final set for Lusail Stadium, the same venue as the 2022 World Cup final. With several Saudi Pro League players involved, including stars of the Saudi Arabian national team, clubs, including Al Nassr, will be unable to meet domestic player requirements, forcing the SPL into a temporary pause during the tournament.

With nearly a month separating matches until the December 21 showdown against Al Najma SC, local reports say Al Nassr’s players will receive nine days of rest. Afterward, Ronaldo and his teammates will begin training at the club’s new first-team facility, developed in partnership with King Saud University.