Latest news with #MessiMania
CNA
11 hours ago
- Sport
- CNA
Healthy crowds and Messi mania lift Club World Cup, but quality gap shows
MIAMI :The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest. FIFA controversially awarded Lionel Messi's Inter Miami a backdoor route into the tournament, ensuring the sport's biggest name would be there after he propelled soccer to new heights in a country often ambivalent to the world's most popular game. Some 61,000 fans packed the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday to watch the Argentine and teammates play Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in a goalless draw. Another strong crowd turned out on Sunday for the clash between Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid, which ended in a one-sided 4-0 win for the Champions League winners. However, Bayern Munich's 10-0 demolition of semi-professional Auckland City underscored the worrying gulf in quality between some of the competing clubs. But the opening weekend largely delivered what FIFA had hoped for: vibrant crowds and global representation. South American supporters made their presence especially felt. More than 1,000 Boca Juniors fans in blue and gold turned Miami Beach into a party strip on Sunday ahead of their opening match, singing club anthems and waving flags in scenes reminiscent of a World Cup carnival. "Wherever you go, Boca is here,' Gaston San Paul, a fan who flew in from Entre Rios in Argentina, told Reuters. 'Wherever we are we do this,' he added, referring to the "Banderazo" (flag party), a fan gathering destined to mark territory ahead of a game. Boca and Real Madrid games were among the top early ticket sellers, according to FIFA, which said that top markets after the U.S. were Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. Talk of empty stands was at least provisionally dismissed as well as heightened anxiety in the immigrant-heavy Miami area following recent federal immigration raids. At the heart of the opening weekend buzz was Messi, whose presence has elevated Inter Miami's profile and guaranteed global glamour for the tournament. $1 BILLION DEAL Messi, who received a standing ovation before kickoff, was unable to find the net against Al-Ahly but provided flashes of brilliance in a tightly contested, physical match. FIFA is banking not only on Messi's star power but also on a radical new broadcast strategy. The tournament is being streamed for free worldwide by DAZN in a $1 billion deal. That agreement followed Saudi Arabia's SURJ Sports Investment, a subsidiary of the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF), acquiring a minority stake in DAZN for a reported $1 billion — another marker of the kingdom's growing investment footprint in sport. The partnership, one of the largest broadcast packages in football history, is central to FIFA's push to maximize digital engagement and position the Club World Cup as a global spectacle ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The $1 billion prize money, which ensures a hefty $125 million for the winners, was an obvious incentive for the European clubs. "There's a lot of money at stake. If you have the chance to earn a lot of money at a tournament, you should take the chance," former Bayern legend Karl Heinz Rummenigge said in the run-up. DAZN has yet to provide viewership data. While the crowds gave FIFA reason to be cheerful, the Bayern Munich v Auckland City match raised awkward questions about the tournament's balance as the German champions obliterated their opponents 10-0. Despite the lopsided contest in Cincinnati, the overall mood among organizers was one of optimism, calling the opening weekend a resounding success. Many Floridians, however, did not know a global soccer event was taking place in their state. "There is a World Cup? Hockey?," said one person working in a restaurant in Miami Beach. "This tournament is new, and it is different. It is the very first time clubs and players from all over the world have had the chance to face each other in competitive matches on a global stage," FIFA said, referring to the 32-club format after the previous editions featured seven. With group matches continuing through the week and Boca's opener against Benfica expected to draw another bumper crowd in Miami later on Monday, FIFA will be hoping to build on the early momentum — and avoid more one-sided encounters like the one in Cincinnati as European teams appear to be a level above those from other continents'.
Reuters
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Healthy crowds and Messi mania lift Club World Cup, but quality gap shows
MIAMI, June 16 (Reuters) - The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, "Messi mania" and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest. FIFA controversially awarded Lionel Messi's Inter Miami a backdoor route into the tournament, ensuring the sport's biggest name would be there after he propelled soccer to new heights in a country often ambivalent to the world's most popular game. Some 61,000 fans packed the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday to watch the Argentine and teammates play Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in a goalless draw. Another strong crowd turned out on Sunday for the clash between Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid, which ended in a one-sided 4-0 win for the Champions League winners. However, Bayern Munich's 10-0 demolition of semi-professional Auckland City underscored the worrying gulf in quality between some of the competing clubs. But the opening weekend largely delivered what FIFA had hoped for: vibrant crowds and global representation. South American supporters made their presence especially felt. More than 1,000 Boca Juniors fans in blue and gold turned Miami Beach into a party strip on Sunday ahead of their opening match, singing club anthems and waving flags in scenes reminiscent of a World Cup carnival. "Wherever you go, Boca is here,' Gaston San Paul, a fan who flew in from Entre Rios in Argentina, told Reuters. 'Wherever we are we do this,' he added, referring to the "Banderazo" (flag party), a fan gathering destined to mark territory ahead of a game. Boca and Real Madrid games were among the top early ticket sellers, according to FIFA, which said that top markets after the U.S. were Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. Talk of empty stands was at least provisionally dismissed as well as heightened anxiety in the immigrant-heavy Miami area following recent federal immigration raids. At the heart of the opening weekend buzz was Messi, whose presence has elevated Inter Miami's profile and guaranteed global glamour for the tournament. Messi, who received a standing ovation before kickoff, was unable to find the net against Al-Ahly but provided flashes of brilliance in a tightly contested, physical match. FIFA is banking not only on Messi's star power but also on a radical new broadcast strategy. The tournament is being streamed for free worldwide by DAZN in a $1 billion deal. That agreement followed Saudi Arabia's SURJ Sports Investment, a subsidiary of the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF), acquiring a minority stake in DAZN for a reported $1 billion — another marker of the kingdom's growing investment footprint in sport. The partnership, one of the largest broadcast packages in football history, is central to FIFA's push to maximize digital engagement and position the Club World Cup as a global spectacle ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. The $1 billion prize money, which ensures a hefty $125 million for the winners, was an obvious incentive for the European clubs. "There's a lot of money at stake. If you have the chance to earn a lot of money at a tournament, you should take the chance," former Bayern legend Karl Heinz Rummenigge said in the run-up. DAZN has yet to provide viewership data. While the crowds gave FIFA reason to be cheerful, the Bayern Munich v Auckland City match raised awkward questions about the tournament's balance as the German champions obliterated their opponents 10-0. Despite the lopsided contest in Cincinnati, the overall mood among organizers was one of optimism, calling the opening weekend a resounding success. Many Floridians, however, did not know a global soccer event was taking place in their state. "There is a World Cup? Hockey?," said one person working in a restaurant in Miami Beach. "This tournament is new, and it is different. It is the very first time clubs and players from all over the world have had the chance to face each other in competitive matches on a global stage," FIFA said, referring to the 32-club format after the previous editions featured seven. With group matches continuing through the week and Boca's opener against Benfica expected to draw another bumper crowd in Miami later on Monday, FIFA will be hoping to build on the early momentum — and avoid more one-sided encounters like the one in Cincinnati as European teams appear to be a level above those from other continents'.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Messi's late free kick goal sparks Inter Miami to rally for a 3-3 tie against Union
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Lionel Messi got a rise out of the crowd when he scored on a free kick late in the second half to pull Inter Miami within one and Telasco Segovia tied the game in the final minutes, helping Inter Miami rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Philadelphia Union 3-3 on Saturday night. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, scored a crucial goal in his first game since he challenged Inter Miami during a rare television interview to stick together after a loss against Orlando. They stuck together down the stretch to stun the Union. Messi finally solved 19-year-old Union goalie Andrew Rick late in front of a packed house that came to watch one of soccer's greats — and also to root on a Union team that came minutes away from its 11th win of the season. Quinn Sullivan scored the first goal and Tai Baribo added two more for the Union. Tadeo Allende scored in the second half to make it 2-1 Inter Miami. Messi buried a free kick late in the game that made it 3-2 and seemed like it could spark Inter Miami out of its funk. Segovia took care of the rest. Messi brought out his share of fans in his second career MLS visit to Subaru Park, though the Messi Mania from his 2023 visit was tamped down to Messi Mildness this time. The pregame scene outside the stadium saw fans in every beer, hot dog, bathroom line, in Messi jerseys and T-shirts, ready to root on the World Cup champion from Argentina. Unlike his first visit, when tickets soared past $1,000 on the secondary market and season-ticket holders gleefully sold their tickets to make money, good seats Saturday were still available on the secondary market for less than $100 a pop moments before kickoff. Messi missed the trip to Chester last season because of international games with Argentina at Copa America. Messi, who turns 38 in June, received a mix of cheers and boos in his return when he was introduced, yet the result was the same. Messi's team set an MLS record for best regular-season mark a year ago, going 22-4-8 — finishing with the most points and top winning percentage in league history. The four regular-season losses tied a league mark for the fewest in a season. But this season looks nothing like last season. 'We're coming off a period of bad results,' Messi told Apple TV. 'But we have to keep working and think about what's next. With three or four games left in May, we (have to) finish the best possible way to be able to face the Club World Cup.' That tournament starts June 14. It's the next big event on Inter Miami's calendar — and some games will be played down the road at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Eagles star cornerback Cooper DeJean — who became the first player in Super Bowl history to intercept a pass or score a touchdown on his birthday — struck the ceremonial pregame drum to get the festivities started. ___
Hamilton Spectator
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Messi's late free kick goal sparks Inter Miami to rally for a 3-3 tie against Union
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Lionel Messi got a rise out of the crowd when he scored on a free kick late in the second half to pull Inter Miami within one and Telasco Segovia tied the game in the final minutes, helping Inter Miami rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Philadelphia Union 3-3 on Saturday night. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, scored a crucial goal in his first game since he challenged Inter Miami during a rare television interview to stick together after a loss against Orlando . They stuck together down the stretch to stun the Union. Messi finally solved 19-year-old Union goalie Andrew Rick late in front of a packed house that came to watch one of soccer's greats — and also to root on a Union team that came minutes away from its 11th win of the season. Quinn Sullivan scored the first goal and Tai Baribo added two more for the Union. Tadeo Allende scored in the second half to make it 2-1 Inter Miami. Messi buried a free kick late in the game that made it 3-2 and seemed like it could spark Inter Miami out of its funk. Segovia took care of the rest. Messi brought out his share of fans in his second career MLS visit to Subaru Park, though the Messi Mania from his 2023 visit was tamped down to Messi Mildness this time. The pregame scene outside the stadium saw fans in every beer, hot dog, bathroom line, in Messi jerseys and T-shirts, ready to root on the World Cup champion from Argentina. Unlike his first visit, when tickets soared past $1,000 on the secondary market and season-ticket holders gleefully sold their tickets to make money, good seats Saturday were still available on the secondary market for less than $100 a pop moments before kickoff. Messi missed the trip to Chester last season because of international games with Argentina at Copa America. Messi, who turns 38 in June, received a mix of cheers and boos in his return when he was introduced, yet the result was the same. Messi's team set an MLS record for best regular-season mark a year ago, going 22-4-8 — finishing with the most points and top winning percentage in league history. The four regular-season losses tied a league mark for the fewest in a season. But this season looks nothing like last season. 'We're coming off a period of bad results,' Messi told Apple TV. 'But we have to keep working and think about what's next. With three or four games left in May, we (have to) finish the best possible way to be able to face the Club World Cup.' That tournament starts June 14. It's the next big event on Inter Miami's calendar — and some games will be played down the road at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Eagles star cornerback Cooper DeJean — who became the first player in Super Bowl history to intercept a pass or score a touchdown on his birthday — struck the ceremonial pregame drum to get the festivities started. Sullivan and Baribo took it from there, each scoring first-half goals against Miami's Oscar Ustari to keep the good times rolling for the hottest team in MLS. Because of Messi, they wouldn't last. ___ AP MLS:
Winnipeg Free Press
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Messi's late free kick goal sparks Inter Miami to rally for a 3-3 tie against Union
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — Lionel Messi got a rise out of the crowd when he scored on a free kick late in the second half to pull Inter Miami within one and Telasco Segovia tied the game in the final minutes, helping Inter Miami rally from a two-goal deficit to tie the Philadelphia Union 3-3 on Saturday night. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion, scored a crucial goal in his first game since he challenged Inter Miami during a rare television interview to stick together after a loss against Orlando. They stuck together down the stretch to stun the Union. Messi finally solved 19-year-old Union goalie Andrew Rick late in front of a packed house that came to watch one of soccer's greats — and also to root on a Union team that came minutes away from its 11th win of the season. Quinn Sullivan scored the first goal and Tai Baribo added two more for the Union. Tadeo Allende scored in the second half to make it 2-1 Inter Miami. Messi buried a free kick late in the game that made it 3-2 and seemed like it could spark Inter Miami out of its funk. Segovia took care of the rest. Messi brought out his share of fans in his second career MLS visit to Subaru Park, though the Messi Mania from his 2023 visit was tamped down to Messi Mildness this time. The pregame scene outside the stadium saw fans in every beer, hot dog, bathroom line, in Messi jerseys and T-shirts, ready to root on the World Cup champion from Argentina. Unlike his first visit, when tickets soared past $1,000 on the secondary market and season-ticket holders gleefully sold their tickets to make money, good seats Saturday were still available on the secondary market for less than $100 a pop moments before kickoff. Messi missed the trip to Chester last season because of international games with Argentina at Copa America. Messi, who turns 38 in June, received a mix of cheers and boos in his return when he was introduced, yet the result was the same. Messi's team set an MLS record for best regular-season mark a year ago, going 22-4-8 — finishing with the most points and top winning percentage in league history. The four regular-season losses tied a league mark for the fewest in a season. But this season looks nothing like last season. 'We're coming off a period of bad results,' Messi told Apple TV. 'But we have to keep working and think about what's next. With three or four games left in May, we (have to) finish the best possible way to be able to face the Club World Cup.' That tournament starts June 14. It's the next big event on Inter Miami's calendar — and some games will be played down the road at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Eagles star cornerback Cooper DeJean — who became the first player in Super Bowl history to intercept a pass or score a touchdown on his birthday — struck the ceremonial pregame drum to get the festivities started. Sullivan and Baribo took it from there, each scoring first-half goals against Miami's Oscar Ustari to keep the good times rolling for the hottest team in MLS. Because of Messi, they wouldn't last. ___ AP MLS:
