MLS
Messi gives reasons he left PSG for Inter Miami
Lionel Messi said his decision to join Major League Soccer club Inter Miami as a free agent was fuelled by his struggles at Paris St Germain, describing it as a period he “didn’t enjoy”.
The 37-year-old, who won the Ligue 1 title twice and French Super Cup in 2022 during his two-year spell at the capital club, parted ways with the Ligue 1 outfit in 2023.
“Signing for Inter (Miami) was an opportunity because of the way things went in my last years in Paris,” the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner said in an Apple Music interview on Friday.
“It was a decision I had to make because I had to leave Barcelona and I spent two years that I didn’t enjoy.
“I wasn’t happy on a day-to-day basis, with the training sessions, the games, I found it hard to adapt to all that,” the Argentina captain added.
Messi, who won 10 LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues and three Club World Cups with his boyhood club Barcelona, had to leave in 2021 when they could not make it financially viable to keep him and the forward signed a two-year deal with PSG.
However, after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, Messi was caught in a storm when PSG fans turned against him after their poor Champions League campaign that season and he was suspended for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, missing a training session as a result.
The Argentine, who joined Inter Miami after reportedly turning down a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia, said he was determined to succeed and help the American league thrive.
“MLS has matured and continues to grow. I hope it doesn’t stop and other clubs can see the example of Inter Miami and can boost the competition,” he added.
-Reuters
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Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount for grabbing one of New York City FC’s coaching staff on the neck after Saturday’s MLS opener, the league said.
Video footage showed Messi approach the coach and grab the back of his neck, causing him to pull away from the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner after the 2-2 draw in Miami.
The fine was imposed by the MLS’ Disciplinary Committee on Tuesday.
The top-flight North American league also fined Messi’s teammate Luis Suarez on Tuesday for violating the same “face/head/neck of an opponent policy” during halftime, when he pinched the back of Norwegian defender Birk Risa’s neck.
Miami will play Sporting KC later on Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
-Reuters
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The Colorado Rapids announced a trade to acquire Chidozie Awaziem and Ian Murphy from FC Cincinnati on Monday, adding two defenders to strengthen their back end.
Cincinnati will receive $1 million in general allocation money with another $200,000 in conditional payments possible. The club also owns a sell-on fee if either player is moved abroad or traded within the league.
“We are excited to welcome Chidozie and Ian to the Rapids,” Rapids president Padraig Smith said. “Chidozie is a leader and a powerful defender with vast experience in Europe and on the international stage, while Ian has established himself as an athletic and accomplished defender in MLS.
“Both players are strong fits for our game model, and they bring added quality to our group as we look to build off a successful 2024 season and continue strengthening our team.”
The 27-year-old Awaziem recorded two assists over seven games (all starts) for Cincinnati after being acquired from Boavista (Portugal) midseason.
Murphy, 24, appeared in 80 games over three seasons in Cincinnati, with 56 starts. He had one goal and one assist over that time period.
Cincinnati finished third in the Eastern Conference in 2024 with 59 points (18-11-5 W-L-T record) while Colorado was seventh in the West with 50 points (15-14-5).
-Reuters
Inter Miami will be the last club Luis Suarez plays for, the Uruguay striker said on Thursday.
Suarez, 37, signed a contract with the Major League Soccer side last year for the 2024 season after a stint with Brazilian club Gremio.
He reunited with former Barcelona team mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, with whom he won four LaLiga titles in five years in Spain.
“Inter Miami will be my last club, my family already know that. I don’t have a date yet, but it’s the last step,” Suarez said in an interview with Uruguayan radio station Del Sol.
“I’m ready for this last challenge, but there is an inevitable fatigue and, in the end, I want to have quality of life in the future,” he added.
Suarez, who also played for clubs including Ajax Amsterdam, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, has won 138 caps for Uruguay since 2007.
Inter Miami kick off their MLS campaign against Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21.
-Reuters
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