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Lionel Messi has not given any thought to his retirement, though the Argentina legend has again refused to commit to playing at the 2026 World Cup.
One day before he celebrated the 20th anniversary of his senior debut for Barcelona, Messi recorded five goal involvements (three goals, two assists) in Argentina’s 6-0 rout of Bolivia on Tuesday.
Messi has enjoyed a fantastic season for MLS Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami, too, scoring 17 league goals and adding 10 assists despite only starting 15 matches.
While the forward has shown no signs of slowing down since joining the Herons last year, his decision to turn his back on Europe led many to suggest the end of his career was near.
He has yet to make any decision on his long-term future, however, and is simply focused on enjoying his football in the moment.
Speaking at the Marca America Award night in Miami, Messi said: “Coming to Inter Miami does not mean I will retire anytime soon, I still have more years to play.
“In the moment, we will see. I don’t like to accelerate time or look ahead. I try to enjoy every day. I hope I can keep playing at this level to feel good and be happy.
“When I get to do what I love, I am happy. I value that more than reaching 2026. I haven’t set a goal to reach the World Cup, but more so to live day-to-day and be well.
“I am still hungry for titles even though I am a bit older and my family keeps growing. When I feel their support, I am unstoppable.”
Messi could lead Miami to a historic achievement this weekend as they end their 2024 regular-season campaign at home to the New England Revolution.
A victory would take Gerardo Martino’s team to 74 points, surpassing the single-season record of 73 set by New England in 2021.
Troy Lesesne believes D.C. United’s confidence is as high as it has been all season ahead of their crucial Decision-Day meeting with Charlotte FC.
D.C. need a point to clinch a playoff place for the first time since 2019, which would end their joint-longest playoff drought (also four years between 2008 and 2011).
They are in contention with CF Montreal and the Philadelphia Union, with two wild-card spots still to be decided on the final matchday in the Eastern Conference, after recording back-to-back victories over Nashville SC (4-3) and the New England Revolution (2-1).
“When challenges come – and we’ve had many this year – it’s easy for us to use those as excuses and pack it up,” Lesesne told reporters.
“But our group has never done that, just look at all the things we’ve gone through this year, the mental endurance that these guys have displayed to be in this position…
“You learn so much about yourself and your players and I’m really proud of the group.
“You expected all along that it would go right down to the last game, but the confidence of this team right now seems to be at the highest it has been all year.”
Charlotte, on the other hand, have already confirmed their postseason spot, though a victory could see them move from sixth to fifth and improve their playoff seeding.
“I know this game is more for seeding than anything else, but the main thing for us is to keep this going,” forward Patrick Agyemang said.
“The main thing is to just continue on the road we’re on, which is positive results. We want the season to end with a bang to put us in a good position for the playoffs.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
D.C. United – Christian Benteke
Benteke has scored 23 goals this season, equalling Raul Diaz Arce (1996) for the most in a single season in D.C.’s MLS history.
His nine headed goals, meanwhile, are tied for the second-most in a single year by any player since Opta began detailed data collection of MLS in 2010, behind Josef Martinez’s 10 in 2018. Can he draw level with the Venezuelan?
Charlotte FC – Patrick Agyemang
Agyemang’s goal for Charlotte last Saturday, in a 2-0 win over Montreal, was his 15th goal contribution of the season (nine goals, six assists).
He is one goal contribution shy of the single-season club record of 16, achieved by Karol Swiderski in each of the team’s first two MLS campaigns.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
The home side has not lost any of the five previous meetings between D.C. and Charlotte, with D.C. recording a pair of 3-0 wins in their two home matches against the Crown.
Charlotte, though, have lost only four of their last 11 regular-season away matches dating back to the beginning of May (four wins, three draws).
D.C. United only need a point to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2019, ending a four-year postseason drought, and with home advantage on their side, they should get it.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
D.C. United – 37.1%
Charlotte FC – 36.6%
Draw – 26.3%
Sonia Bompastor’s perfect start to life at Chelsea continued on Thursday as the Blues beat Twente 3-1 to go three points clear at the top of their Women’s Champions League group.
Having overcome Real Madrid in their Group B opener last week, Chelsea cruised to victory in the Netherlands to strengthen their grip on top spot.
Aggie Beever-Jones saw her 25-yard strike deflect in for a seventh-minute opener, and Chelsea were 2-0 up within 18 minutes as Maika Hamano lobbed goalkeeper Olivia Clarke.
Guro Reiten scored Chelsea’s third from the penalty spot when Lieske Carleer fouled Mayra Ramirez just after the hour mark, with Nikee van Dijk netting a consolation for Twente five minutes later.
In the other match in Group B, Madrid got up and running with a resounding 4-0 victory over Celtic, with Scotland’s Caroline Weir among the goals for Los Blancos.
Weir curled in a terrific opener from distance after just seven minutes, though Celtic then held firm and stayed in the contest until the latter stages.
However, Signe Bruun, Caroline Moller and Linda Caicedo all got on the scoresheet in the final 20 minutes as Madrid put some gloss on the scoreline at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.
They were not the only convincing winners on Thursday, as Roma crushed Galatasaray 6-1 to go top of Group A on goal difference, with captain Manuela Giugliano scoring twice and laying on two assists.
The other game in Group A saw European heavyweights Wolfsburg and Lyon go head-to-head, with the French giants leaving Germany with a statement 2-0 victory.
Wolfsburg’s Alexandra Popp joined Wendie Renard as the only players to make 100 Women’s Champions League appearances, but the French centre-back overshadowed her by nodding in an eighth-minute opener.
Lyon had the better of the contest throughout, finishing with 2.75 expected goals (xG) to Wolfsburg’s 0.83, and they killed the match from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half, Lindsey Horan scoring after Melchie Dumornay was felled by Janina Minge.
Manchester United have suffered another injury blow with the news that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be sidelined for several weeks due to a muscle issue.
Mainoo, alongside centre-back Harry Maguire, was forced off during United’s goalless draw with Aston Villa prior to the international break.
The teenager then joined Morgan Gibbs-White and Ezri Konsa in withdrawing from England’s squad for their Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland.
Ahead of their return to Premier League action against Brentford on Saturday, United issued a comprehensive fitness update, confirming Mainoo had joined Maguire on the sidelines.
While Manuel Ugarte took part in a recovery session after returning from international duty with Uruguay, the club said long-term absentees Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw are making “steady” progress in their recovery.
Noussair Mazraoui, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo all missed games for their respective national teams during the hiatus, but the trio are back in training.
Mainoo has played all seven of United’s Premier League games this season, with the Red Devils earning their fewest points (eight) at this stage of any campaign in the competition.
He has the best pass completion rate (88.3%) of any ever-present United midfielder, with only Bruno Fernandes (261, 49) bettering his 250 completed passes or his 35 successful passes into the final third.
Oct 16, 2024 Football
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