MIAMI: Lionel Messi made a public appearance in Miami on Friday, attending the finals of a 1v1 soccer tournament, but gave no update on his expected contract extension with Inter Miami. &nbsp;The Inter Miami star who is closing in on a contract extension that will keep him with his Major League Soccer club through at least the 2026 season and likely beyond showed up to watch the global finals of the 1v1 soccer tournament that he helped create and is sponsored by a hydration drink that he co-founded.&nbsp;His appearance came days after he and Inter Miami closed in on an extension, one that the sides have been working on for months and would assure him of being with the club when it plans to open its new stadium near Miami International Airport next year.&nbsp;There were no hints about the contract coming from his team on Friday and he did not address reporters.&nbsp;Messi only spoke behind the scenes to his team about the tournament, with his interview being sent out to members of the media afterward.&nbsp;&ldquo;It is really so nice to see and to share this opportunity providing a platform for the game that is 1v1,&rdquo; Messi said.&nbsp;When asked about the extension, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano said he remains hopeful.&nbsp;&ldquo;I hope it happens soon, because I think it&rsquo;s great news not only for the club but for MLS in general, right?&rdquo; Mascherano said earlier Friday at the team&rsquo;s training base in Fort Lauderdale.&nbsp;&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s just for the team,&rdquo; Mascherano said. &ldquo;Obviously, for the team, for the club, for the history of this club, it&rsquo;s something unique.&nbsp;But I think for soccer in general in the United States, it would be very, very important news. They could have the best player who has ever played this sport here for a while longer.&rdquo;&nbsp;Messi captained Argentina to the World Cup title in 2022 and has been part of qualifying matches with the team but has not formally said that he will play in the tournament when it comes to the US, Canada and Mexico next year.&nbsp;The 38-year-old Messi has 20 goals second most in the league and 11 assists in MLS play this season.&nbsp;He joined Inter Miami in July 2023 on a 2 1/2-year contract, one that was worth an estimated $150 million at the time.Messi was MLS&rsquo; MVP last season, even in a year where he missed 15 of Inter Miami&rsquo;s 34 regular-season matches with injuries or national team commitments.&nbsp;He has helped the team win its first two trophies, the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters&rsquo; Shield for having the best record in MLS last season.&nbsp;Messi and Inter Miami will play DC United on Saturday.&nbsp;Miami opens the weekend sixth in the Eastern Conference, eight points behind first-place Philadelphia but with three matches in hand on the conference leaders and still in the race for one of the top playoff seeds as well as the Supporters&#39; Shield.

Football

Lionel Messi attended a Miami tournament on Friday but gave no update on his contract extension with Inter Miami. Talks continue, with coach Javier Mascherano hopeful the deal will secure Messi through 2026 and beyond.

Messi stays silent on Inter Miami contract extension

MIAMI: &nbsp;Superstar Lionel Messi scored two superb goals and created another as Inter Miami beat DC United 3-2 on Saturday to inch closer to an MLS Cup playoff berth.&nbsp;Amid indications this week from sources close to the club that Messi is poised to sign a contract extension that would keep him in Miami at least through next year, the eight-time Ballon d&#39;Or winner showed just why the club and Major League Soccer are so keen to see him stay.&nbsp;The 38-year-old now has 22 goals in 22 matches played this season. With his seventh double of the MLS season, he moved to the top of the league scoring list, passing England&#39;s Sam Surridge, who has 21 for Nashville.&nbsp;Miami dominated from the outset on a rainy night at their Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against a team already eliminated from playoff contention.&nbsp;They took the lead in the 35th minute when Messi produced a well-judged through ball forward to Tadeo Allende, who beat United goalkeeper Luis Barraza with his first touch and smoothly fired into the right corner of the net.&nbsp;Christian Benteke headed the visitors&#39; level in the 52nd minute.&nbsp;Messi forced a pair of quick saves from Barraza before he fired Inter back into the lead in the 66th minute, collecting a pass from Jordi Alba in the box and turning to slot a left-footed shot past Barraza.&nbsp;Two minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute, Argentine Mateo Silvetti was fouled in the box by Barraza.&nbsp;The referee pointed to the spot, and the 19-year-old stepped up to take the kick, but he smashed the attempt off the crossbar.&nbsp;But Messi pushed Miami&#39;s lead to 3-1 with a bit of trademark magic in the 85th, picking up a pass just outside the area and eluding his defender to loft a shot out of the reach of Barraza.&nbsp;It proved invaluable, as Jacob Murrell struck for DC United in the seventh minute of stoppage time to trim the deficit to one.&nbsp;Miami climbed one spot to fifth in the Eastern Conference with 52 points but will have to wait to secure their playoff berth after New York Red Bulls produced a 2-0 victory over Montreal.&nbsp;New York City FC clinched their ninth playoff spot in 11 seasons with a 2-0 victory over playoff-bound Charlotte.&nbsp;Alonso Martinez converted two penalties, and Matt Freese saved a Wilfried Zaha spot kick as City stretched their unbeaten run to three matches.&nbsp;Philadelphia Union maintained their grip on first place in the East and bolstered their bid for the Supporters&#39; Shield, awarded to the top team overall, with a 1-0 victory over New England.&nbsp;Bruno Damiani broke the scoreless deadlock in the 71st minute with a crisp finish from a perfectly placed pass from Frankie Westfield.&nbsp;Orlando denied Nashville&#39;s chance to clinch a playoff berth with a 3-2 victory.&nbsp;Martin Ojeda scored two goals and Duncan McGuire added another for Orlando, who are also in pursuit of a post-season spot. Hany Mukhtar and Jacob Shaffelburg scored for Nashville.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, MLS, DC United

The win takes Inter Miami one step closer to an MLS Cup playoff berth.

Articles tagged with "Lionel Messi"

Messi stays silent on Inter Miami contract extension

Messi brace lifts Miami in 3-2 MLS win over DC United