Major League Soccer

INTER MIAMI’S fitness coach has lifted the lid on Lionel Messi’s training habits.Ben Young, 37, moved to David Beckham’s MLS franchise in January 2023 after stints with England’s men’s and women’s teams.Lionel Messi is still going strong at 36Credit: GettyBen Young joined Inter Miami in January 2023Credit: LinkedinMessi, 36, left European football behind last summer when he ditched Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami.But if any fans think that the Argentine superstar has taken his foot off the pedal, Miami insider Young begs to differ.Discussing the 2022 World Cup winner with the Mirror, he said: “Messi is first in, last out, a true professional.”He does his own individual activation and strength sessions, he will even be in training the next day after being away in an international camp in Argentina.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He’s in his rhythm, his routine and that is why he’s at the top and has stayed there.”He ticks all the boxes, he pushes himself but also does all his recovery work.‌”We always want to make sure that the players can thrive in the most intense parts of the game and you do that by the training we expose them to.‌”We systematically expose the players to various training stimuli that mimic the demand of the game and when appropriate we exceed the game demands to ensure they are completely prepared for the toughest of moments.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS‌”To offset this work we are also continually educating the players on the importance of recovery, nutrition and make sure your recovery is good and sleep in that process to make sure they can keep training and playing at that intensity.‌”Messi is getting individual treatment, massage and recovery which shows the importance of having people close to you who you can rely on.”Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel MessiHaving studied Sports Science at the University of Gloucestershire, Young began his career at Saracens under Eddie Jones.He then landed a gig with the Lionesses, assisting them at two World Cups.After heading to Qatar with the Three Lions’ men’s team, he moved on to work with Inter Miami.Six months after Young’s arrival Stateside, Inter managed to land Messi.The likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez have since followed.Messi has been a resounding success since moving to MLS.He has scored 25 goals in 29 games for Inter Miami – including 12 in 12 MLS appearances this term.READ MORE SUN STORIESTata Martino’s side are top of the Eastern Conference after 18 games.Messi also led his side to Leagues Cup glory last year – scoring in the final against Nashville last August.Messi has been joined in Miami by former Barca pals Luis Suarez and Sergio BusquetsCredit: AFP More

LIONEL MESSI has become the fastest player in MLS history to bag 25 goal contributions in a single season.The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner joined Inter Miami shortly after his 2022 World Cup victory with Argentina in Qatar.Lionel Messi continues to break records after he became the fastest player in MLS history to provide 25 goal contributions in a seasonCredit: AFPMessi celebrates with midfielder Robert Taylor after notching his 12th goal of this campaignCredit: APThe record was previously held by former Arsenal star Carlos VelaCredit: PA:Press AssociationMiami missed out on the playoffs in Messi’s first campaign but he is now making up for lost time, with his side sitting top of the Eastern Conference.Messi, 36, has scored 12 goals and assisted a further 13 in 12 appearances this campaign, the quickest time to reach such a tally.This feat shattered the previous record set by Arsenal flop Carlos Vela in 2019, who took 16 games to hit 25 goal contributions.Many believed Vela would become one of the world’s best when Arsenal won the race to sign him for £125,000 in 2005.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut the Mexican striker failed to reach his full potential, after only notching three goals in 29 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.Vela was then sent out on loan to five different clubs, before signing for Real Sociedad in 2012 for an undisclosed fee.Meanwhile Messi’s achievement comes after he scored Inter Miami’s first goal in their 3-3 draw against St Louis City on Saturday night.This season’s success has been driven by some strong additions made to the squad during the transfer window.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIncluding, the arrival of his former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.Suarez and Alba were also both on the scoresheet during Saturday’s clash. GRAPHIC-VID_LIONEL_MESSIHowever, Messi’s attention will now turn towards Argentina and their Copa America campaign this summer, which kicks off on June 21.The joint-record 15 time winners and reigning champions face Peru in the opening match of the tournament in Atlanta, Georgia.Argentina also play Chile and Canada in their other Group A games as they eye a top spot finish to advance to the quarter-finals.Messi, who has 180 caps for Argentina, has scored 13 goals and assisted another 17 in 34 Copa America appearances.Vela won the MLS Golden boot and the player of the season award in 2019Credit: Getty – ContributorSergio Busquets joined Messi at Inter Miami this seasonCredit: AFPCheck out these amazing collections More

LIONEL MESSI slammed a new MLS rule that prevented him from taking a free-kick during Inter Miami’s 3-2 win over Montreal.The Argentine icon, 36, had to receive treatment during the first half when he was fouled by Samuel Piette.Lionel Messi was annoyed by the new rule that prevented him from being allowed back on the pitchCredit: X / CentreGoals🇦🇷😤 Lionel Messi Expresses Frustration Towards the Camera Over MLS Rule Requiring Players to Wait Exactly 2 Minutes Before Re-entering the Pitch After Treatment. pic.twitter.com/eY6QCTZ9H2— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) May 12, 2024

Matias Rojas ended up curling the free-kick into the top cornerCredit: X / CentreGoalsIt turned out Inter Miami did not need Messi to pull themselves back into the gameCredit: X / CentreGoalsBut a new MLS law introduced for the start of the 2024 season states players going off for treatment cannot come back on for two minutes.This is an attempt to clamp down on time wasting.Ex-England striker Gary Lineker labelled the change “ridiculous nonsense” when it was announced back in February.And Messi was left thoroughly unimpressed as he was forced to watch the resulting free-kick from the sideline.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Barcelona legend was heard turning around and complaining to the officials, saying: “These kind of rules, not good.”Thankfully for Messi and Inter Miami, Matias Rojas stepped up to take the set-piece and curled it straight into the top corner with his left-foot.It was a stunning goal reminiscent of many Messi free-kicks in the past.Yet it was still the bizarre rule that caught the headlines.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLineker previously wrote on X: “More ridiculous nonsense.”Punishing players and teams for getting hurt/injured thus rewarding those that commit fouls that cause injuries.Pique reveals he and Lionel Messi were lined up for double transfer to Premier League giants before Man Utd swooped”You couldn’t make it up, but they do.”Along with a two-minute wait for players that have received treatment, the MLS have also implemented a law which states substituted players must leave the pitch within 10 seconds of the board going up.If they do not, their replacement cannot come on for 60 seconds, meaning the team has to cope for one minute with a player disadvantage.Meanwhile, Inter Miami went on to win the match 3-2 thanks to goals from Rojas, Luis Suarez and Benjamin Cremaschi.It leaves Inter Miami three points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.Messi has 12 goals and 11 assists in 12 appearances so far this season.In total since arriving in America, he has scored 23 times and provided 16 assists in 26 matches. More

WAYNE ROONEY has revealed why he called himself “Ian” while in the United States.The Manchester United legend spent a total of two years across the pond as a player and then manager of DC United.Wayne Rooney went by the name of ‘Ian’ in the USCredit: GettyDespite Rooney’s fame, he was often not recognised in Washington and had trouble ordering coffee.The ex-England star explained: “When I was in the US, everyone thought I was Irish. “When I was at Starbucks, I don’t think they got my name right once.”I got called ‘Won’, I got called ‘Win’.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”So in the end, I just start saying my name was Ian.”Rooney left DC United at the end of the 2023 MLS campaign and shortly after joined Birmingham as the club was purchased by American owners.But the 38-year-old lasted just 15 games at St Andrew’s, having won just twice.Ahead of the final day of the Championship season, Birmingham are in a perilous position and need to win against Norwich to give them hope of staying up.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRooney since Birmingham sacking

Pundit on Sky Sports, TNT Sports and BBC
Pulled out of Match of the Day debut
Playing EA FC with streamers
Watched Man Utd’s Under-18s win the league
Tipped to have a celeb boxing match
Joined The Overlap

Since his sacking, Rooney has gone into punditry and featured on TNT and Sky Sports.He also set to take to the Match of the Day studio but had to pull out due to an injury.Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney ‘told Coleen he couldn’t do school run for EA FC TRAINING’ reveals YouTuber Angry GingeRooney has also been gaming in his spare time, joining streamer Angry Ginge and his pals online to play EA FC.And it was revealed this week that he has joined Sky Sports show The Overlap alongside his old team-mates Gary Neville and Roy Keane.Rooney has been playing EA FC with streamer Angry Ginge More