Major League Soccer

LIONEL MESSI is set to be edged out for the MLS’ coveted MVP award by a Premier League flop who has topped the scoring charts.Messi enjoyed a stunning season in America with Inter Miami, helping his side finish top of the Eastern Conference.Lionel Messi could miss out on the MLS’s MVP award to a Premier League flopCredit: GettyThe Argentina captain also helped himself to 20 goals throughout the campaign.And he even bagged 16 assists along the way as well.However, it’s reckoned that Messi could miss out on the coveted MVP award, which is handed to the MLS’ best player.Inter Miami were expected to cruise to the league’s Cup final, where the ultimate winner of the season is decided.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut David Beckham’s franchise crashed out early in the knockouts, suffering a shock 3-2 defeat to Atlanta United.It means the final will be contested by LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls.And that could see Messi fail to land the MVP award.Instead, it’s reckoned that Christian Benteke could end up winning it.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Belgian striker is best known by Premier League fans for spells at Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.Benteke netted 49 goals in 101 games for the latter.David Beckham imposes strict fashion rule on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mates leaving Rio Ferdinand stunnedChristian Benteke is the top scorer in the MLS this seasonCredit: AlamyThe Belgian played for Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Aston VillaCredit: GettyBut his barren year at Liverpool resulted in just 10 goals from 42 matches.And at Palace, he only managed 37 goals in 177 outings.Yet Benteke has managed to finish top of the leaderboard for goals scored in the MLS this term.The hitman bagged 23 goals for DC United, who he joined from Palace in 2022.They only managed a 10th place finish in the Eastern Conference.And without Benteke’s goals, DC may very well have finished bottom of the league.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs a result, his contribution could be viewed in some quarters as more valuable than Messi’s, which occurred in a better team which ultimately underachieved.And it now remains to be seen if Benteke does scoop the award ahead of Messi, whose Inter Miami side will be part of Thursday’s draw for next summer’s Club World Cup. More

DAVID BECKHAM has appointed former Prem star Javier Mascherano as Inter Miami’s new manager, according to reports.Mascherano, 40, will now coach his ex-Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.David Beckham has brought another former Prem star in to manage Inter MiamiJavier Mascherano will be reunited with fellow Argentine and ex-Barca team-mate Lionel MessiMascherano is set to leave his position as manager of Argentina’s under-20sThe former Liverpool star has signed a long-term contract with the MLS franchise, according to transfer journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.He will also leave his position as manager of Argentina’s under-20 team, where he coaches a number of Inter Miami’s young prospects.It’s Mascherano’s first position at a senior men’s club as the Athletic report that documents are “being prepared”.Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino stepped down as gaffer just three days ago after Miami’s shock elimination from the first round of the MLS play-offs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMiami lost the three-game series with a 3-2 defeat in Game 3 to Atlanta United, sealing their exit and ending their 2024 campaign.Messi, Alba and Suarez played in all three games, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or scoring in the final loss. Mascherano joined Liverpool in 2006 and played three seasons at Anfield where he formed part of an incredible midfield trio with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.Mascherano then went onto to win trophies with Messi, Suarez, Alba and Busquets during his eight seasons at Barcelona.Most read in FootballJavier Mascherano spent eight years at BarcaFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDuring his time in Spain, Mascherano won five LaLiga titles and the Champions League twice.He’s not the first former Prem star to take the reigns at Inter, with Phil Neville previously managing the club for two-and-a-half years before he was sacked by pal Beckham.David Beckham imposes strict fashion rule on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mates leaving Rio Ferdinand stunnedMartino, who guided Miami to the best regular season record in MLS history this season, made the decision to leave for personal reasons.The 61-year-old Martino – who also coached Messi with Barca and Argentina’s national team before reuniting with him in South Florida – gave no signs of leaving when the season ended earlier this month.Miami were 26-9-12 in MLS regular season and won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters Shield in 2023.Mascherano is likely to face a hectic 2025 as the team will likely venture out on another international pre-season tour.There’s also the 34-match MLS slate and Miami will be one of the teams in the Club World Cup that starts in June as well.But Miami won’t gather for training camp to start the 2025 season until January. Mascherano is the latest ex-Messi teammate to join the MLS franchise – but the first in a coaching capacity. He coached Argentina at the 2024 Paris Olympics to a quarterfinal exit losing out to silver medallist France.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s likely to be the final year with all four of the team’s ex-Barcelona superstars.Busquets and Messi see their deals expire after the 2025 season, Suarez is in negotiations over a one-year extension, and Alba has an option for a further year on his deal. More

LIONEL MESSI’S Inter Miami saw their MLS season come to a devastating end following a shock loss to Atlanta United in the play-offs.Miami ended the regular season top of the Eastern Conference and with the best record and highest points total in MLS history to win the Supporters Shield.Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are out of the MLS play-offs after a shocking lossCredit: GettyInter Miami were eliminated by Atlanta United, who ended Messi’s MLS seasonCredit: GettyDavid Beckham’s Inter Miami saw their title hopes go up in flamesCredit: APAtlanta were handed just a ten per cent chance of making the MLS Cup semi-finals after coming through the first round against Montreal FC and they will now face Orlando City in the final four.David Beckham’s team suffered a devastating 3-2 loss at the Chase Stadium where their titles hopes came crashing down.Miami opened the scoring on 17 minutes with Matias Rojas but Atlanta equalised only two minutes later with Jamal Thiare, who then completed a brace in the 21st minute.Messi equalised for Gerardo Martino’s side on 65 minutes but United sealed their historic triumph in the 76th minute with Bartosz Slisz’s winner.Read More on FootballThe host of Apple TV’s MLS 360 coverage Kevin Egan described this as the “biggest upset in MLS history”.Egan tweeted: “We’ve just witnessed easily the biggest upset in MLS history!”Atlanta United had a 10% chance of making the playoffs on Decision Day.”The lowest ranked team remaining just knocked Messi and Miami out on their own turf. What?!?!”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMartino then addressed Messi’s future at the club, with the star forward’s contract running out on December 31, 2025.And the ex-Barcelona manager confirmed the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s future is uncertain.David Beckham rewarded as Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami to second trophy by knocking reigning champions off their perch Martino said: “I actually don’t know how limited [Messi’s time in the MLS] is.”There is a question of time passing, but I would not dare to say that it is so short. “If you look at the context in which this began, it seems to me that the progress of the club is important.”The comparison of the last game of last season, back in October, with today’s third game in the play-offs and this bitterness that we all have for not having progressed, is clear that the club’s objectives have been modified and I think there is no reason for the club not to continue trying next year.”What happened this year, the bad and the good in general have been better than everything that happened last year and I would say even from the entire life of the club.”Miami, though, are set to compete in this summer’s controversial Club World Cup competition in the US after a questionable call from Fifa.Rival MLS club officials have accused Fifa of having no clear qualification criteria for Inter.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe world governing body pointed to Miami winning the Supporters Shield, awarded to the club who perform the best over the regular season, as the reason for their qualification.But MLS club owners claim they have jumped the gun simply to ensure that Messi is involved in the revamped 32-team tournament. More

INTER MIAMI were left stunned as they lost in their MLS Cup play-off second leg.That is despite being gifted a goal following an absolute howler from a Premier League cult hero.Brad Guzman suffered a nightmare mistake in goal for Atlanta United against Inter MiamiCredit: Apple tvHe messed up his clearance to gift away a goalCredit: Apple tvDavid Martinez capitalised in styleCredit: Apple tvFormer Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan suffered the nightmare five minutes before half-time.There appeared to be no danger when the veteran 40-year-old had the ball safely in his hands in the Atlanta United penalty area. However, as he went to clear upfield, he got himself into a right pickle, dropping the ball and falling on the floor.Replays showed Federico Redondo dummied to interrupt the clearance – but crucially feinted and did not actually attempt to make a block which would have resulted in a free-kick.READ MORE ON INTER MIAMIInstead, Redondo gratefully accepted the loose ball at his feet and played a simple pass to David Martinez.And the defender showed the composure of his team-mate Lionel Messi to delicately chip the ball over the Atlanta defenders into the empty net to break the deadlock. Guzan immediately complained to the referee but his protests fell on deaf ears as the goal was allowed to stand. Ironically, Guzan had been hailed as playing like “prime Buffon” in the first leg.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe American made nine saves and even made a tackle on Messi 30 yards out from his goal. But despite his shocking blunder on Saturday, Guzan had the last laugh.Watch moment raging Lionel Messi ‘calls referee -mean-spirited son of a b****’ in furious rant after Inter Miami drawDerrick Williams equalised just before the hour mark for Atlanta before Xande Silva grabbed a winner deep into injury time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.That secured the 2-1 victory for Atlanta – balancing out the 2-1 Inter Miami win in the first leg last Saturday.But rather than go to extra-time and then penalties if needed, instead a third leg will take place in Florida next weekend to determine who will progress to the MLS Cup Conference semi-finals – with the winner facing Orlando City or Charlotte FC. David Beckham’s club will host the all-important deciding third leg because they finished top of the Eastern Conference – whereas Atlanta were bottom of the nine-team division. Lionel Messi benefitted from the appalling blunderCredit: GettyGuzan’s complaints were ignored by the refereeCredit: Apple TVMartínez, right, could not believe his luckCredit: GettyXande Silva rifled home a dramatic late winner for Atlanta UnitedCredit: EPASilva’s whipped his shirt off in celebrationCredit: EPAGuzan got the last laugh as Atlanta recorded the famous 2-1 winCredit: EPAMessi’s side will now play a third leg next weekend in their MLS Cup play-offCredit: EPAThe Argentine has not scored in either of the games so farCredit: Getty More