More stories

  • in

    MLS vs Saudi Pro League – the ultimate mercenaries’ guide as Cristiano Ronaldo insists Lionel Messi made wrong transfer

    IT’S been 20 glorious years and the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate is still raging on.Loyal fans bordering on obsessive dominate social media backing up their idol – or, more often, tearing down the other.
    Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami this summer despite a host of superstars heading to Saudi ArabiaCredit: instagram @ intermiamicf
    Cristiano Ronaldo kickstarted a string of stars heading to the Saudi Pro LeagueCredit: AFP
    For years, the pair locked horns in LaLiga, fiercely contesting El Clasico as Barcelona and Real Madrid’s rivalry was amped up yet another notch.
    In recent years, the pair have moved on… Messi to PSG and Ronaldo to Juventus and Manchester United.
    Now the famous frenemies have turned their backs on Europe altogether.
    First, Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and endured a mixed bag after his Man Utd contract was torn up following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
    READ MORE SPORT STORIES
    But Ronaldo, 38, clearly started a trend as Saudi clubs became increasingly confident the marquee signing would lead to an influx of big-name arrivals.
    And they were right… N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema and Steven Gerrard are just three world-famous mega-stars to head to the Middle Eastern league.
    But Messi, 36, took another path… rather than open yet another chapter in his rivalry with Ronaldo, the Argentine joined David Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami.
    It took just ONE DAY for Ronaldo to stick the oar in, as he bizarrely took aim at his two-decades-long rival.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    Ronaldo insisted: “The Saudi league is better than the MLS.
    “I opened the way to the Saudi league and now all the players are coming here.
    “I’m sure I won’t play in Europe again. I want to play in Saudi Arabia.”
    Messi, in turn, has remained tight-lipped – as he so often has during his career, allowing his football to do the talking.
    But how do the two leagues compare? Is the Saudi Pro League better than the MLS, as Ronnie claims?
    SunSport takes a look at life in both league… on and off the pitch.
    MONEY
    Let’s be honest, football is becoming less of a sport and more of a business.
    An influx of super-rich owners has changed the game in the last few decades. And now, money is king.
    Ronaldo was offered a staggering, unprecedented £175million a year to move to Al-Nassr.
    That equates to a simply ludicrous £3.4m a week.
    Messi, opting for the MLS, is on a slightly more modest £45m a year – or just shy of £1m per week.
    The big issue with the US league is the wage cap. Each club can only spend £5.2m per season on the whole TEAM.
    So Messi is believed to have had his wages topped with with incentives and sponsorships from the likes of Apple and adidas.
    The average MLS salary is just shy of £300,000 per year – or around £6,000 per week.
    Meanwhile, in the Saudi Pro League the mean salary – prior to the influx of superstars – was around £20,000 per year, just £375 per week.
    N’Golo Kante quit Chelsea to join Al-Ittihad alongside ex-Real ace Karim BenzemaCredit: Instagram
    Lionel Messi aside, Lorenzo Insigne is arguably the MLS’ top talentCredit: Alamy
    PLAYERS & MANAGERS
    Prior to Messi’s arrival, the MLS had already welcomed some big-name footballers.
    David Beckham was the first mega-star, while the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney and Gareth Bale have followed in recent years.
    Carlos Valderrama, David Villa, Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Sebastian Giovinco and Landon Donovan have also played huge roles in promoting the US league.
    Currently the biggest names, Messi aside, are arguably Lorenzo Insigne and Xherdan Shaqiri – with Leo’s ex-Barcelona team-mate Sergio Busquets also heading to Miami.
    The Saudi Pro League – while making huge moves in 2023 – have historically not had quite such big names join.
    We’ve already mentioned Ronaldo, Kante and Benzema, but the likes of Roberto Firmino, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy and Marcelo Brozovic have all moved this year.
    Prior to that though, there was some solid if unspectacular names to grace the Middle Eastern League.
    Those included Ever Banega, Vincent Aboubakar, Brad Jones, Paulinho, Bafetimbi Gomis, Marko Marin, Christian Atsu, Georgios Samaras, Wilfried Bony and Odion Ighalo.
    On the managerial front, the Saudi Pro League has recently welcomed ex-Premier League chiefs Steven Gerrard and Slaven Bilic, with Nuno Espirito Santo joining last year.
    As for the biggest managerial name in the MLS? Tata Martino… the man who managed Messi at Barcelona and Argentina, with the pair now reunited in Florida.
    Cristiano Ronaldo has a number of endorsement deals to keep on top of, including his own CR7 underwear rangeCredit: The Mega Agency
    Lionel Messi will be hoping to expand his endorsement empire even further in the USACredit: Rex
    BRAND
    Of course, Messi and Ronaldo are not just footballers.
    Like Michael Jordan or David Beckham, they are a brand.
    And you’d have to say USA probably edges Saudi Arabia on that front.
    Messi is already the face of some of the biggest companies in the world, including Pepsi, adidas, Lay’s, Jacob & Co and Gatorade to name a few.
    The majority of those companies are either US or European based.
    And the same goes for Ronaldo’s biggest endorsement deals – most-notably Nike and his own range of underwear, CR7.
    While still a huge name in Saudi Arabia you could argue his global, ambassadorial appeal is more limited.
    However, Ronaldo WILL be exposed to a wider audience.
    Prior to the Portugal legend’s arrival at Al-Nassr, Saudi Pro League matches had an average viewership of 800,000 per game.
    That figure skyrocketed to 12million per game after his move to the Middle East.
    The MLS, dwarfed by American favourites the NBA, NFL, MLS and NHL has an average reach of 343,000 viewers per game.
    That is expected to rise rapidly after Messi makes his debut – but 12m would be a huge ask.
    Miami is a hotbed for the world’s A-list, with some huge stars spotted at this year’s F1 Grand PrixCredit: AFP
    Tommy Fury fought Jake Paul in Diriyah, Riyadh in February 2023Credit: Getty
    LIFESTYLE
    Let’s be honest, Miami isn’t exactly known for being a tame place.
    The US city is one of the party capitals of the globe.
    From nightclubs and beaches to the relatively new Formula One race which hits the marina each year, it’s a lively, bustling place to visit.
    Messi had already invested in a number of apartments overlooking the ocean before he’d even moved to the States.
    Ever the savvy businessman, the Argentine knew it was a place he could make some cash.
    Of course, that’s just Miami… there are 30 teams in the MLS with two based in Los Angeles, two in New York, one apiece in Chicago, Boston, Nashville, Orlando, Philadelphia and Washington DC to name a few.
    There’s even a chance to enjoy what Canada has to offer, with teams in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
    Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has a somewhat different vibe – with alcohol prohibited in the dry nation, although there may be a workaround for Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq squad.
    Ronaldo is based in Riyadh, which has hosted a number of big boxing fights in recent years – and is even set to welcome Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou following Tommy Fury’s fight with Jake Paul.
    It’s becoming more and more open to the world of tourism thanks to its love of sport and the influx of famous footballers certainly won’t hurt that.
    MLS teams have plenty of competitions to get involved with aside from the leagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Both Saudi and MLS teams have the chance to play in the Club World Cup – with Real Madrid winning the last edition after beating Al-Hilal in the finalCredit: Getty
    COMPETITION
    But what about the football?
    The MLS has 30 teams split across an Eastern and Western Conference, culminating in a knockout-style playoffs campaign for the top eight teams in each.
    However, whatever happens, you cannot get relegated – which is good for Messi with Inter Miami currently bottom of the East.
    Aside from the league, there’s also the US Cup – akin to the FA Cup in England – and the Leagues Cup, comprised of teams from the MLS and Mexico’s top-flight.
    There’s also the CONCACAF Champions Cup – the equivalent to Uefa’s Champions League – consisting of teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
    The winner of that qualifies for the Club World Cup, featuring the best teams on the planet, including the Uefa Champions League winners.
    Finally there’s the one-off clash between the MLS winners and LigaMX division for the Campeones Cup.
    Saudi Pro League teams also have the chance to qualify for the Club World Cup, should they win the AFC Champions League – featuring the top teams in Asia.
    In fact, they will host the tournament this coming winter.
    There’s also the Arab Club Champions Cup, comprising of the top teams in the Arab world.
    Clubs also have the King Cup – which has had many format changes since its 1957 inception – but is essentially their club knockout tournament.
    There’s also the ‘Community Shield’ clash between the winners of the Pro League and the King Cup, called the Saudi Super Cup.
    Atlanta United’s impressive Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the best in the MLSCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The King Abdullah Sports City stadium is the biggest and best in Saudi ArabiaCredit: EPA
    STADIUMS
    So we’ve heard of groups of mates heading to Spain or Italy for a long weekend of watching football at the Nou Camp or San Siro.
    But what about a trip to the US or Middle East for a match?
    There are a host of major stadiums in America… even high school American Football teams boast whopping grounds.
    While the MLS might not feature the US’ largest arenas, there are plenty of big’uns.
    Atlanta United’s 71,000-seater opened in 2017 to a great reception from fans, while Charlotte FC can welcome close to 75,000 supporters in their ground.
    But in general, the average stadium capacity for Messi, will be between 18,000 and 30,000, with Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium hosting 21,000.
    For Ronaldo, his Al-Nassr side play at the 25,000-seater Al-Awwal Park.
    The biggest arena in the league is based in Jeddah – with the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, home to AI-Ittihad and AI-Ahli and nicknamed “The Jewel”, hosting over 62,000.
    Al-Hilal’s 56,000-seater King Fahd International Stadium is the second biggest, with no other reaching 40,000-plus.
    However, the stadiums in general hover around the 10,000 to 20,000-mark in the Middle Eastern nation.
    Lionel Messi has been joined by ex-Barcelona pal Sergio Busquets at Inter MiamiCredit: Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo is convinced the Saudi Pro League is better than the MLS – but what do the stats boffins say?Credit: Getty
    VERDICT
    Well, there are certainly plenty of factors to consider, as we’ve taken a good, long look at above.
    But for those who love stats, numbers and concrete winners and losers, we do have a victor.
    Sorry to say, Cristiano, but your old mate Leo comes up trumps here.
    Read More on The Sun
    According to a January study by sports intelligence agency Twenty First Group, the MLS is ranked as the 29th best division in world football.
    The Saudi Pro League was down in 59th… More

  • in

    Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami teammates: Who plays for David Beckham’s MLS club?

    LIONEL MESSI has joined Inter Miami FC following the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.The US club, part owned by David Beckham, confirmed they had landed the football legend in a video posted to Twitter in June 2023.
    Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has joined US club Inter MiamiCredit: Arturo Jimenez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
    When does Lionel Messi debut for Inter Miami?
    Messi’s Inter Miami debut is scheduled for Friday, July 21, during the opening match of the Leagues Cup.
    Ahead of the Major League Soccer (MLS) match it was reported that some fans had paid more than $1,200 (£933) for a ticket.
    The player is getting $60million (£47m) a year to play for Inter Miami after rejecting an even more lucrative offer to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
    Who plays for Inter Miami?
    Leonardo Campana
    Campana is the son of former tennis player Pedro Campana, who represented Ecuador in the 1966 Olympics.
    Read More on Lionel Messi
    He signed for the Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, before being loaned to Famalicão and Swiss Super League side Grasshopper.
    Campana joined Inter Miami on loan in January 2022 and then signed permanently with the team in 2023.
    Josef Martinez
    Martinez, from Venezuela, began his career in Caracas FC.
    He was then sold to Italian club Torino in 2014.
    Most read in Football
    Martinez joined Inter Miami in January 2023 from Atlanta United, replacing the retired Gonzalo Higuain.
    As of 2023, Martinez is the 10th all-time MLS goalscorer.
    Nicolas Stefanelli
    Stefanelli grew up in Argentina but also holds an Italian passport.
    He has played in Cyprus, Chile and Sweden since beginning his career in his homeland.
    Stefanelli joined Inter Miami in January 2023.
    Shanyder Borgelin
    Striker Borgelin is from Haiti and was born in Florida.
    He made his debut for Inter Miami in February 2023 and scored his first MLS goal against Montreal.
    Robbie Robinson
    Robinson, who played college football at Clemson University in South Carolina, was named as the top pick in the 2020 MLS draft.
    He then made his debut for the team in March 2020.
    Dixon Arroyo
    Arroyo joined Inter Miami in 2023 as a replacement for the injured Brazilian player Gregore.
    He represents Ecuador internationally.
    Benjamin Cremaschi
    Cremaschi is the son of international rugby union player Pablo Cremaschi, who played for Argentina.
    He made his debut with Inter Miami in February 2023.
    David Ruiz
    Ruiz became a member of Inter Miami’s senior squad in April 2023.
    He represented Honduras in the 2023 Under-20 World Cup, but is also eligible to play for the US.
    Robert Taylor
    Taylor is the son of Paul Taylor, a footballer who played in Finland in the 1990s.
    Robert was a player for Nottingham Forest and Lincoln City when he was younger.
    In 2020 he penned a three-year deal with Norwegian team Brann, but moved to Inter Miami in February 2022.
    Lawson Sunderland
    Sunderland made his debut for Inter Miami in 2023 after joining the club in 2022.
    His brother, Beckham Sunderland, is also a footballer and his father, Larry Sunderland, is the director of player development at FC Cincinnati.
    Edison Azcona
    In 2021, Dominican player Azcona made his MLS debut.
    The match, against Nashville SC, marked the first time anInter Miami homegrown player had appeared in an MLS match.
    Azcona was loaned to El Paso Locomotive in 2022.
    Victor Ulloa
    Ulloa is a defensive midfielder for Inter Miami.
    The sportsman, who is eligible to play for Mexico and the United States, has also played for Dallas and Cincinnati in the past.
    Drake Callender
    Goalkeeper Callender joined Inter Miami in 2020.
    He is from Sacramento, California.
    Sergii Kryvtsov
    Ukrainian centre-back Kryvtsov joined Inter Miami in January 2023.
    He previously played for Shakhtar Donetsk in his homeland, before fleeing Ukraine due to the war.
    DeAndre Yedlin
    Seattle-born Yedlin has played for several Premier League teams in the UK, including Newcastle, Tottenham and Sunderland.
    He briefly joined the Turkish side Galatasaray in 2021 before moving back to the US and joining Inter Miami in February 2022.
    Christopher McVey
    Before joining Inter Miami in 2022, McVey had spent his career with Elfsborg in his homeland of Sweden.
    The player, who is a right back, joined the youth side when he was just 12 and later played for the A-team.
    He signed with Inter Miami in January 2022.
    Kamal Miller
    Miller joined Inter Miami in April 2023 – shortly before Messi’s signing was announced.
    He had previously played for two other MLS teams – Montreal and Orlando City.
    Harvey Neville
    Neville is the son of football manager and former player Phil Neville.
    He began his career in the youth squads of Manchester United and Valencia and has also has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level.
    He qualifies to play for Republic of Ireland through his maternal grandmother.
    Ian Fray
    Fray plays as a defender for Inter Miami.
    He joined the club in February 2021 but suffered a torn ACL just one month later.
    Fray’s sister, Marlee Fray, is also a footballer and represents Jamaica internationally.
    Noah Allen
    Allen is a US Under-20s international from Florida.
    He made his Inter Miami CF debut in February 2022 and signed a homegrown player contract a month later.
    Ryan Sailor
    Defender Sailor signed with Inter Miami in February 2022 and made his debut in May of that year.
    He used to play college football for the University of Washington Huskies and was selected 9th overall in the 2022 MLS super draft.
    Israel Boatwright
    Right-back Boatwright is from the Dominican Republic.
    He made his debut for Inter Miami CF II in 2022 and has represented the Dominican Republic at both youth and senior levels.
    What has David Beckham said about Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami?
    Inter Miami co-owner Beckham described Messi’s arrival at the team as a “dream come true”.
    “Leo, we are so proud that you have chosen our club for the next stage in your career,” he said at the time of the player’s signing.
    Beckham said in a later statement: “Ten years ago, when I started my journey to build a new team in Miami, I said that I dreamed of bringing the greatest players in the world to this amazing city.
    “Players who shared the ambition I had when I joined LA Galaxy to help grow football in the USA and to build a legacy for the next generation in this sport that we love so much.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Today, that dream came true. I couldn’t be prouder that a player of Leo’s caliber is joining our club, but I am also delighted to welcome a good friend, an amazing person, and his beautiful family to join our Inter Miami community.”
    He added: “The next phase of our adventure starts here, and I can’t wait to see Leo take to the pitch.” More

  • in

    Heartwarming moment young Arsenal fan is left in shock after Bukayo Saka gives him his boots

    BUKAYO SAKA made a young fan’s day by giving him his boots after Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against MLS All-Stars on Wednesday.The 21-year-old played 45 minutes as the Gunners earned a 5-0 win over the MLS side.
    Saka gave his boots to a young fanCredit: Twitter @afcstuff
    He also took a picture with the supporterCredit: Twitter @afcstuff
    Despite being substituted at half-time, he stuck around after the game to meet some fans – one of which was holding a sign that read: “Saka it’s my birthday, can I get a pic?”
    After greeting the young supporter, Saka handed him his match-worn boots before posing for a selfie with his MVP trophy.
    Fans took to Twitter to praise the winger, with one person tweeting: “Bukayo Saka’s heartwarming gesture of gifting his boots to a young fan demonstrates that he’s not just a talented footballer but also an inspiring role model both on and off the pitch. A true class act!”
    Another said: “That might just inspire that boy to become a baller. Great gesture, Bukayo!”
    READ MORE ON ARSENAL
    A third wrote: “Saka handled this so well.”
    While another commented: “This kid will cherish this moment for the rest of his life!”
    Arsenal claimed a convincing win over MLS All-Stars thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Gabriel Martinelli and new boy Kai Havertz.
    Jesus opened the scoring just five minutes into the match with an audacious strike into the top-left corner of Roman Burki’s goal.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Trossard then followed it up with another excellent finish before Jorginho netted a penalty to make it three.
    Martinelli then latched on to a superb through-ball from Martin Odegaard before passing the ball into the bottom-right corner.
    And Havertz, who received criticism for his performance in the MLS All-Stars skills challenge just one day prior, capped off the performance with a composed half-volley into the back of the net. More

  • in

    Fans are paying almost £1000 to watch Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami debut, but football will never truly conquer America

    LIONEL MESSI makes his debut for Inter Miami on Friday and some people are paying more than $1,200 (£933) for a ticket.If curious Americans really want to know what all the fuss is about, they could just hang about at the mall to see the little fella doing his grocery shopping . . . and it won’t cost them a dime.
    Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, but ‘soccer’ will never conquer the USCredit: Reuters
    Messi was recently pictured in a Florida supermarket with a trolley loaded with breakfast cereal — and hardly anyone recognised him.
    The greatest player of all time is getting $60million (£47m) a year to swap football for ‘soccer’ after rejecting an even more lucrative offer to join Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
    And the fact he has chosen the MLS over MBS is proving to be a great source of pride for our Trans­atlantic chums.
    Ronaldo, obviously, claims that the Saudi League is already bigger than soccer in the States and they’re certainly paying a hell of a lot more for their washed-up stars.
    Read More on Football
    The big problem facing the game in the land of the free transfer is that it will always be chasing American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey and Nascar in the battle for ratings.
    Nine Premier League teams are currently out here preparing for the new season, kicking off with Arsenal’s 5-0 win against Wayne Rooney’s MLS All-Stars.
    On Tuesday evening, Mikel Arteta’s bemused players participated in the ‘All-Stars skills challenge’ which involved rival keepers belting the ball at each other from ten yards away and various shooting, passing and control competitions.
    It was a bit like It’s A Knockout but without the risk of running into Prince Andrew.
    Most read in Football
    And as dreadful as that sounds,  and was, they still managed to attract a remarkably enthusiastic sell-out crowd.
    It summed up the precarious existence football leads in America, where the game is desperate to be taken seriously but still needs to divert its paying public with constant gimmicks.
    So the MLS has now been paused mid-season to accommodate a tournament against teams from the Mexican League, starting with Messi’s debut against Cruz Azul on Friday.
    And League commissioner Don Garber has again rejected the idea of  promotion and relegation because the ‘franchise’ owners are not prepared to take the risk of demotion.
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Fans will have to pay almost £1,000 to watch Messi’s debut for Inter MiamiCredit: Getty
    Just like Freddie Mercury, the American sporting public has no time for losers.
    That’s why the Women’s World Cup is generating far more interest than the men’s game. Because the USA actually has a chance of winning it.
    Yet there is no doubt that the game is starting to establish a toehold.
    The MLS has just signed a $250m (£194m) contract with Apple TV and a $380m (£295m) kit deal with adidas.
    Read More on The Sun
    The recent LAFC v LA Galaxy derby attracted a record 82,000 crowd and in three years’ time the US will host the World Cup with Mexico and Canada.
    So the interest is clearly there. But holding America’s attention is like  trying to herd cats — because there’s always something bigger, brasher and shinier just around the corner. More

  • in

    Jordi Alba completes Inter Miami transfer as Lionel Messi’s former team-mate becomes third ex-Barcelona star to join

    JORDI ALBA has reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.Alba has completed his move to David Beckham’s MLS club and becomes the third Barca star to move to Miami after Sergio Busquets.

    Jordi Alba is set to reunite with ex-Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi at Inter MiamiCredit: AFP
    Alba has signed a deal with Inter Miami until the end of next yearCredit: Rex
    Messi is expected to make his Inter Miami debut on Friday against Cruz AzulCredit: Reuters
    The American outfit confirmed the left-back’s arrival to the US on social media.
    The Spain international has put pen to paper on a contract that runs until next year.
    Inter Miami tweeted: “Oficial. Bienvenido [Welcome] @JordiAlba.
    “We have signed Spanish international defender Jordi Alba to a contract through the 2024 season.”
    Read More on Football
    Alba spent nine years playing with Messi at Barcelona after his arrival from Valencia in 2012.
    The 34-year-old amassed a total of 27 goals and 99 assists in 459 appearances with the Blaugrana.
    The Spaniard also won six LaLiga titles, five Copa del Rey trophies and the 2015 Champions League with the Catalan giants.
    Alba’s expected debut date with Inter Miami is currently unknown after just joining Tata Martino’s side.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    But Messi is expected to debut against Cruz Azul on Friday in the Leagues Cup.
    Tickets to watch the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s Inter Miami bow will cost anywhere from $350 (£272) to $2,000 (£1,555) on Ticketmaster.
    The Argentina captain put pen to paper on a deal with Inter Miami until 2025 after running down his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. More

  • in

    What is the Leagues Cup?

    LIONEL MESSI will be thrown straight into the thick of things as he prepares to make his debut in the US. The Leagues Cup gets underway this week and there are plenty of teams vying to get their hands on some silverware.
    Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami earlier this summer in a huge deal for the MLSCredit: Getty
    Messi already has a cabinet full of trophies at home, but he’ll be after his very first with Inter Miami on American soil later this year.
    Though the MLS is still in the middle of its season, the Leagues Cup will now take precedent for North America’s best players.
    What is the Leagues Cup?
    The Leagues Cup will all 29 MLS clubs thrown into a World-Cup style competition with the 18 Liga MX clubs to compete for one trophy.
    Both the MLS and Liga MX, the top league in Mexico, will come to a halt while the Leagues Cup is going on.

    The winner will eventually qualify for the last-16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
    Every team will play two group stage games each, and the top two teams from each group will make the round of 32.
    No draws are allowed, so if a game is level after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to penalties.
    A team gets three points for a win, 1 point for a draw after 90 minutes, and an extra point if they win the shootout.
    Most read in Football
    When is the Leagues Cup?
    The Leagues Cup will be held between July 21 and August 19.
    The first game of the tournament will be between Messi’s Inter Miami and Cruz Azul. More

  • in

    Lionel Messi already a legend in Inter Miami WhatsApp chat after sorting new team-mates out with tickets

    LIONEL MESSI is already a legend in the Inter Miami group chat after sorting his new team-mates some tickets. The Argentine legend was unveiled as the MLS’s newest and biggest superstar at a welcoming event in Fort Lauderdale, where he was presented with a jersey.
    Lionel Messi during Inter Miami trainingCredit: Alamy
    But the ceremony was so in-demand not even Miami forward Leonardo Campana could get enough tickets.
    So it shocked DeAndre Yedlin & Co when the main man himself surprisingly popped up to save the day.
    Yedlin told media: “Actually for the little event that he had, well, I say little event…
    “The big event that he had on Sunday, Campana was looking for tickets and he put in the group chat, ‘Hey, does anybody have any tickets?’
    READ MORE ON MESSI
    “And then I didn’t even know that Leo was in or Messi was in the group chat yet.
    “But he popped up straight away and said, ‘How many do you need though?’ Straight away like that.
    “So just from there I was like, ‘Wow.’ Straight off the bat. They’ve known each other for maybe, I dunno two days, three days or something.
    “But just to show that generosity, that is a great first example of how he is.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Messi, 36, left boyhood club Barcelona in 2021 amid their financial woes and signed for PSG.
    He spent two seasons in the French capital, winning the league title twice, before leaving for America on a free.
    He is believed to be on wages of around £830,000-a-week after signing for David Beckham’s Miami.
    Messi has been joined in Florida by ex-Barca team-mate Sergio Busquets with Jordi Alba also set to arrive.
    Lionel Messi and Inter Miami boss David BeckhamCredit: Reuters More

  • in

    Arsenal 5 MLS All-Stars 0 LIVE RESULT: Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber debut, Kai Havertz scores first goal

    ARSENAL annihilated the MLS All-Stars in their second pre-season friendly at Audi Field in Washington. Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber made their first appearance ever since their arrival in the summer transfer window.
    Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Gabriel Martinelli were on target as was Kai Havertz, who scored his first ever goal for the Gunners.
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    Relive all the action in our live blog below…
    That’s all from Washington
    Arsenal beat Wayne Rooney’s MLS All-Stars 5-0 at Audi Field in Washington during their second pre-season friendly.
    The Gunners opened the scoring after just five minutes when Bukayo Saka found Gabriel Jesus just outside the area and the striker fired a beautiful flick that tapped Roman Burki’s right-hand post before hitting the net.
    The North Londoners doubled their lead on 23 minutes when Saka again found Leandro Trossard from the right and the versatile forward produced a wonderful shot from the edge of the box that hit Burki’s bottom left corner.
    Mikel Arteta’s men earned a penalty-kick in the first few seconds of the second half when St. Louis City’s Tim Parker handed the ball during a challenge with Jesus.
    Jorginho stepped up and easily beat DC United’s Tyler Miller to practically seal the win.
    Arteta then handed debuts for summer signings Jurrien Timber and club record £105million transfer Declan Rice in the 65th minute.
    The two arrivals helped Arsenal score two more goals as captain Martin Odegaard found Gabriel Martinelli with a wonderful ball from midfield and the Brazil international finished brilliantly in the 84th minute.
    And Kai Havertz scored his first ever goal for the club in his second appearance as he picked up a cross from Marquinhos and beat New England Revolution’s Dorde Petrovic with a clinical finish one minute before full-time.
    That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great night!
    Credit: Getty
    Declan Rice shines
    Arsenal’s record signing Declan Rice impressed in his first ever appearance for the club.
    Rice came on during the second half and immediately looked at home.
    The England international appeared to play more as a No6 rather than a No8 and anchored the Gunners’ midfield.
    The 24-year-old only spent 26 minutes on the pitch but left immense promise for the future and manager Mikel Arteta could indeed build the team around him.
    The ex-West Ham captain inspired confidence and composure as he helped the North Londoners maintain possession and build from the back.
    Credit: Getty
    Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars analysis
    Here’s what SunSport’s man on the field Martin Lipton made of Arsenal’s dominant win over the MLS All-Stars:
    Declan Rice made his Arsenal bow as Mikel Arteta’s men cruised past Wayne Rooney’s woeful MLS All-Stars.
    The £105million midfielder was part of a slew of second-half replacements as Arteta gave his entire squad a run-out.
    And while there is far more to come from the England ace, he looked immediately at home among the Gunners stars as he anchored the middle of the park.
    Rice’s unexpected 26-minute appearance was a further positive for Arsenal, who won without breaking out of second gear.
    First-half stunners from Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard made it oh so easy, with Jorginho’s penalty at the start of the second half ensuring the victory before Rice trotted on to wild acclaim from his new supporters and fellow subs Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz added more home pain.
    Arteta hopes his new “lighthouse” will be the missing link, with Rooney calling on him to become the “leader” of the Gunners pack.Martin LiptonSunSport
    Credit: Getty
    More player ratings
    And here’s how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rates every Arsenal sub:
    Karl Hein: 6
    Martin Odegaard: 7
    Kai Havertz: 6
    Gabriel Martinelli: 6
    Declan Rice: 7
    Takehiro Tomiyasu: 6
    Jurrien Timber: 6
    Folarin Balogun: 5
    Kieran Tierney: 6
    Marquinhos: 5
    Auston Trusty: 5
    Credit: Getty
    Arsenal player ratings
    Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Lipton rates every Arsenal starter from Audi Field:
    Aaron Ramsdale: 6
    Ben White: 6
    William Saliba: 9
    Gabriel Magalhaes: 5
    Jakub Kiwior: 6
    Fabio Vieira: 5
    Jorginho: 7
    Leandro Trossard: 7
    Bukayo Saka: 8
    Gabriel Jesus: 7
    Eddie Nketiah: 7
    Credit: AP
    Arsenal vs MLS All-Stars stats
    Arsenal dominated 56 per cent of possession against the MLS All-Stars.
    The Gunners registered 16 shots, but only five of them were on target.
    The All-Stars, on the other hand, only managed seven shots, one of which was on target.
    More below:

    FT: Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Arsenal destroyed the MLS All-Stars at Audi Field in Washington during their second pre-season friendly.
    The Gunners broke the deadlock after just five minutes when Bukayo Saka drove the ball down the right and found Gabriel Jesus behind him.
    Jesus fired a beautiful flick that tapped Roman Burki’s right-hand post before hitting the net.
    The North Londoners doubled their lead on 23 minutes when Saka found Leandro Trossard from the right and the versatile forward produced a wonderful shot from the edge of the box that hit Burki’s bottom left corner.
    Mikel Arteta’s men earned a penalty-kick in the first few seconds of the second half when Tim Parker handed the ball during a challenge with Jesus.
    Jorginho stepped up and easily beat Tyler Miller to pracically seal the win.
    Arteta then handed debuts for summer signings Jurrien Timber and club record transfer Declan Rice.
    The two arrivals helped Arsenal score two more as captain Martin Odegaard found Gabriel Martinelli with a wonderful ball from midfield and the Brazil international finished brilliantly in the 84th minute.
    And Kai Havertz scored his first ever goal for the club in his second appearance as he picked up a cross from Marquinhos and beat Dorde Petrovic with a clinical finish one minute before full-time.
    Credit: AP
    FT: Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Peep!
    That’s full-time in Washington!!!
    90+5 Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Chance!
    Arsenal summer signing Havertz almost completes a brace with a beautiful curling shot from the edge of the box that just misses the crossbar.
    90+3 Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Havertz has hit the back of the net in his second Arsenal appearance since his arrival.
    The versatile forward showing he could indeed be revitalised under Arteta.
    Credit: AP
    90 Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Six minutes of added time to go.
    Almost mercifully over for the MLS All-Stars…
    89 Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Marquinhos delivers a beautiful cross from the left and finds Havertz in the far post.
    The versatile forward chests it down and fires a powerful left-footed shot that gives Petrovic no chance.
    89 Arsenal 5-0 MLS All-Stars
    Goal!
    Havertz scores his first Arsenal goal!!!
    88 Arsenal 4-0 MLS All-Stars
    Chance
    Arsenal captain Odegaard tries a shot from the edge of the box but sends it wide.
    87 Arsenal 4-0 MLS All-Stars
    It;s hard to imagine Arsenal won;t score a fifth.
    The MLS All-Stars haven’t lived up to their reputation tonight in Washington…
    84 Arsenal 4-0 MLS All-Stars
    Arsenal captain Odegaard delivers a fantastic long ball from midfield and finds Martinelli on the left.
    The winger drives the ball to the area and beats Petrovic with a clinical finish to hit the MLS keeper’s bottom left corner.
    84 Arsenal 4-0 MLS All-Stars
    Goal!
    Arsenal make it four with Martinelli!!!
    83 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Rice continues to play a deep role but a lot of balls go through him first.
    The midfielder is already inspiring composure in the middle of the park.
    Credit: Reuters
    80 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Substitution
    Arsenal boss Arteta throws in his second American player after Balogun.
    Trusty comes on for White.
    78 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Chance!
    Arsenal come close to a fourth with a close-range shot by Martinelli from the left that goes over the crossbar.
    Cooling break at Audi Field!
    75 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Rice is dictating a lot of the game with some accurate passing and good runs.
    It is evident already that the Gunners will build a lot of their game around the midfielder and will look for more composure in their game.
    73 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Rice is playing in a rather deep role in midfield, more like a No6 rather than a No8.
    Fans still going crazy every time the England international touches the ball.
    Credit: AP
    Credit: Reuters
    70 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Tempo has slowed down as the MLS All-Stars don’t have an answer against Arsenal’s impressive side.
    But after so many changes, we are surely going to see some more action.
    68 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Substitution
    More changes from MLS All-Star boss Rooney as Petrovic, Kamara, Jordan Morris, Giakoumakis, Herrera and Choiniere come on for Espinoza, Almada, Aidan Morris, Gil, Fereira and Miller
    67 Arsenal 3-0 MLS All-Stars
    Rice gets a massive ovation as he enters the pitch for the first time after his £105million move from West Ham.
    Fans go crazy every time he touches the ball and it seems he is playing either as a No6 or No8.
    Load more entries… More