Tag Futebol

Here’s a look at seven players who can use the BPL platform to aim for higher honours

Deivarayan Muthu and Mohammad Isam18-Jan-2022Will Jacks – Chattogram Challengers
The big-hitting Surrey batter, who can also pitch in with handy offspin, adds to England’s already vast talent pool in white-ball cricket. He hit 309 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of just a shade under 150 in the 2020 Vitality Blast, where Surrey finished runners-up. Since being named the Vitality Blast Player of the Year in 2020, Jacks has enjoyed greater exposure, having had stints with Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, Oval Invincibles in the Hundred and Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 league more recently. His first BPL stint with Chattogram Challengers is another testament to his growing white-ball stature.Kennar Lewis – Chattogram Challengers
Lewis is another hard-hitting top-order batter who will be featuring in his first BPL. At Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL, he has spent most of his time in the shadow of Andre Russell. While there are questions over Lewis’ fitness, this is another chance for him to step out of the shadows and shine in the T20 spotlight. In CPL 2021, Lewis shellacked 195 runs off 117 balls in powerplays at a strike rate of 166.66. He was also at it in the T10 league and in the Lanka Premier League.Tanvir Islam is in good form ahead of this season’s BPL•BCBTanvir Islam – Comilla Victorians
The left-arm spinner has the best bowling average and economy rate, and one of the best strike rates, in domestic T20 competitions in the last two years in Bangladesh. Much of it came during last year’s Dhaka Premier League (DPL), when he took 20 wickets at an average of 9.35 while representing Shinepukur Cricket Club.A typical Bangladeshi left-arm spinner who hits good lengths consistently and has great accuracy, Tanvir attracted attention by taking 50 wickets in his first two DPL seasons. The selectors noticed his numbers and picked him for Bangladesh A in 2019, and he has also represented teams like the Emerging Team and Under-23s. He has taken a combined 25 wickets in first-class and List A matches in the 2021-22 domestic season, putting him in good form ahead of this season’s BPL, a tournament where he only has two wickets in eight games.Fazalhaq Farooqi – Minister Group Dhaka
Farooqi remains Afghanistan’s most promising pace-bowling prospect aside from Naveen-ul-Haq, having already established himself as a T20 – and T10 – globetrotter. The left-armer has a good inswinger and a fairly deceptive offcutter that tricked batters who threatened to line him up during his stint with Delhi Bulls in the T10 league. He was also roped in as a reserve bowler by Chennai Super Kings last year, when he bowled with sharp pace and bounce at the nets. Farooqi is likely to join the Dhaka squad after playing for Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series against Netherlands, which ends on January 25.Jake Lintott was Southern Brave’s top wicket-taker in the Hundred last year•Getty ImagesObed McCoy – Fortune Barishal
The West Indies left-arm seamer, who foxed Australia with his slower-ball variations at home in mid-2021, has since spent most of his time on the sidelines with injury. He hasn’t played a competitive match since T20I World Cup game against England in Dubai. Dominic Drakes, who was a back-up bowler at the World Cup, has now taken McCoy’s national spot, but this BPL is McCoy’s opportunity to prove his fitness and form.Parvez Hossain Emon – Comilla Victorians
The left-hand opener has been one of the top-three six-hitters in Bangladesh’s domestic T20 scene over the last two years. He shot to fame with the fastest T20 century by a Bangladesh batter in 2020. Emon struck seven sixes and nine fours in that 42-ball knock in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup. And although Mohammedan Sporting Club in Dhaka signed him for the DPL T20s last year, he couldn’t quite get going, managing just one fifty in 14 games. Emon has also scored just one half-century in the 2021-22 domestic season so far, but at 19, he has a lot of time and potential opportunities lined up.Jake Lintott – Fortune Barishal
After being a wildcard pick in the Hundred, Lintott emerged as Southern Brave’s top wicket-taker, and subsequently won a deal with Barbados Royals in the CPL. In a Barishal side that has two premier Bangladesh left-arm spinners – Shakib Al Hasan and Taijul Islam – it is hard to imagine an overseas left-arm spinner getting a look-in. Lintott, however, brings something different: a T20 specialist who bowls left-arm wristspin. Throw Lintott in the mix, and Barishal’s spin attack could still be potent even without Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who will be on national duty for Afghanistan in the early exchanges of the BPL.

The Red Sox beat the Yankees 1-0 in New York on Friday night. Max Fried gave up four hits and zero runs in six innings, but the Yankees offense disappeared as they dropped the second game of the weekend series to their rivals.

Boston was already up 1-0 when Jarren Duran led off the top of the ninth with a walk and then stole second. Ceddanne Rafaela then hit a hard groundball to shortstop Anthony Volpe who thought he caught Duran leaning towards third, but replay showed he had turned to watch Volpe field the ball and headed back to second in time to beat a throw to Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Duran was safe and Chisholm threw it to first too late to get an out there either. Fans were perplexed by Volpe's decision.

Asked about the play after the game, Boone defended his shortstop's decision as "heady."

"It's obviously not the right play, but I mean, it's a little bit of a heady play too," said Boone. "He almost caught a guy off in scoring position there and then he doesn't come around to score anyway. Makes a really good play on the contact play. I mean are we really going to dive into that one a lot? I mean, I get it. He wasn't out, but it's kind of a heads up, you know, almost got a guy. Napping. And really if Duran doesn't affect the throw where he's getting back Jazz still might complete the play so you know, not the right play probably, but in some ways a heads up play too."

Boone is right that Volpe almost got him and Duran didn't score so what's the big deal? However, Boone has developed a reputation for being too forgiving of Volpe's brand of baseball and hearing an MLB manager say the wrong play was kind of right because it almost worked might is just odd.

After Friday's game the Red Sox have pulled back ahead of the Yankees by a half-game in the AL East and currently lead in the Wild Card standings.

Virat Kohli has the most centuries in ODI history, and yet, each time one sees him bat in the only format he is still active in internationally, thoughts turn to the 2027 World Cup. Kohli is 37 now. Will he still be playing two years on? For Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, “there’s no point talking about all this” and fans should stay in the moment.”I don’t know why we need to look at all this – he’s really batting well, and I don’t see any reason we need to talk about his future,” Kotak said after Kohli’s 135 from 120 balls took India to victory in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday.”Just the way he’s batting, it’s just brilliant. The way he’s performing, [and] his fitness – there are no questions about anything,” Kotak said. “I feel such things [the 2027 World Cup] shouldn’t even be spoken about after the way he plays and performs. That is something which is two years away. There’s no point talking about all this. For us, once the team arrives and we start practice, we just enjoy.”Related

• Harshit takes the first step in fast bowlers' race for 2027 World Cup

• Kohli, Harshit, Kuldeep star to give India 1-0 lead

• Stats – Kohli and Rohit smash records in Ranchi run-fest

• Kohli dictates South Africa's reality from within his bubble

Vastly experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who is a year older at 38, add value to the dressing room even otherwise, Kotak pointed out. And it’s not like they aren’t performing. Rohit’s last three innings in ODIs have been worth 73, 121* and 57.”Obviously, they do share their experience with others,” Kotak said. “I don’t think we’re talking anything about the 2027 World Cup. They are just brilliant, and they are performing. They are contributing to the team, which is a great thing for us.”Like Kohli, Rohit is also active only in ODIs internationally. That leaves both of them with very limited game time. But, despite that, for the second successive match, Kohli and Rohit showed good form while stitching together a match-winning century stand.After adding an unbeaten 168 against Australia in Sydney last month, they had a stand of 136 in the first ODI against South Africa. While Kohli followed 74* in Sydney with 135 in Ranchi, Rohit scored 57 at better than a-run-a-ball against South Africa after hitting 121* in a win over Australia.”They are such experienced players; it’s always great to have them,” Kotak said. “The way they bat – like today also, that partnership – it makes a huge difference. Obviously, they batted really well.”

أدلى فيل فودين، نجم فريق مانشستر سيتي، بتصريحات عقب فوزهم القاتل في مباراة يوم السبت على ليدز يونايتد في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم.

واستضاف ملعب “الاتحاد” مباراة مانشستر سيتي وليدز يونايتد في الجولة الثالثة عشر من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26.

وتمكن مانشستر سيتي من تحقيق فوز قاتل على ليدز يونايتد بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين، حيث سجل فيل فودين هدفين، وتمكن من إحراز هدف الانتصار القاتل في الدقيقة 91 (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وقال فودين، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “كانت واحدة من أعنف المباريات، لقد سيطرنا على مجريات اللعب بشكل كامل في الشوط الأول ثم غيّروا أسلوب لعبهم في الثاني، ولم نتمكن من التسجيل”.

وأضاف: “كان شوطًا محبطًا، لكن مع الاستراحة القصيرة قام المدرب بتنظيم صفوفنا وتأقلمنا مع تشكيلتهم، سنحت لنا بعض الفرص، وأخيرًا وجدت بعض المساحات وسجلت هدفًا”.

وواصل: “لا تزال هناك جوانب يمكننا تحسينها، نحن سعداء بالنتيجة، سباق اللقب ليس سهلًا أبدًا، دائمًا ما تكون هناك فترات صعود وهبوط، إلى جانب فترات لا نستطيع فيها التسجيل، وقد مررنا بذلك”.

وأردف: “لقد أظهرنا الإيمان بأنفسنا والتكاتف في النهاية، آمل أن تكون مباراة اليوم نقطة الانطلاق لنا، ولكن لا أحد يعلم ما ينتظرنا”.

واختتم: “كنت متعطشًا جدًا اليوم للعب وإثبات قدرتي على تسجيل الأهداف، لقد أضعت بعض الفرص ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد وأردت تصحيح الوضع”.

Barcelona are growing increasingly anxious over Ansu Fati’s situation at Monaco, with the French side now reconsidering their €11 million purchase option. After exploding under Adi Hutter, Fati’s minutes and influence have collapsed since Sebastien Pocognoli’s arrival. With the winger goalless in six games, his long-term future has suddenly been thrown wide open.

Fati's form collapse sparks €11m fears

Fati’s loan spell at Monaco has swung dramatically from a story of revival to a worrying decline, prompting serious concern at Barcelona. The winger, who arrived in the summer hoping to reboot his career after limited minutes in Catalonia, initially needed time to integrate. Monaco worked carefully on his physical conditioning to ensure he would not aggravate previous injuries that have repeatedly derailed his development.

Under recently sacked coach Hutter, that patience paid off spectacularly, Fati delivered one of the most explosive starts of his senior career, enjoying a record-breaking debut and going on to score six goals in five matches. His confidence soared, his movements sharpened, and Monaco appeared ready to commit long-term by activating their €11m buy option at the end of the season.

But according to the situation shifted abruptly when Monaco dismissed Hutter despite his positive work and appointed Belgian coach Pocognoli. The new manager’s tactical approach has not suited Fati, who has struggled to replicate his earlier rhythm. Since Pocognoli took charge, Fati has not scored in six matches and has seen his prominence shrink sharply. He has played just 55 minutes across Monaco’s last three fixtures, a level of involvement that has alarmed Barcelona as they monitor his progress.

The Catalan club now fears that the sudden dip in form and reduced playing time could cause Monaco to retreat from the purchase option that once looked almost certain to be exercised.

AdvertisementAFPSystem change under Pocognoli derails momentum

The crux of Fati’s decline has centred on the change in system and the style imposed by Pocognoli. While Hutter’s dynamic, transition-driven football allowed the teenager to thrive in open spaces and arrive in scoring zones, Pocognoli has demanded more structural discipline and off-ball organisation from his wide players.

The shift has been immediate and severe, and Fati has not scored once under the new coach, despite participating in six matches. The club’s internal recalibration has left him on the periphery, eroding the momentum he had built during his most promising run since his breakout at Barca. 

Monaco’s coaching transition has had a cascading effect on squad hierarchy. With the Belgian manager favouring different profiles in attack and placing greater emphasis on direct ball-carrying wingers, Fati has found himself misaligned with the new tactical demand. His confidence, which tends to be closely tied to continuity and game rhythm, appears to have taken a hit.

Wait-and-watch only option

Barca had hoped this loan would become a turning point after a difficult year in which Fati struggled to earn minutes, but the club still believes the forward can regain the form that once made him one of the most promising talents in Europe, but the sudden stagnation in Monaco complicates planning for the future.

Fati’s situation has placed him and the Catalan club in a holding pattern, and both parties must now observe what happens between now and the Christmas break. If the winger manages to recover his place and return to scoring form, the path toward a permanent transfer could reopen. If not, a January change of direction would be required.

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AFPHow's future of Fati looking from here

The next few weeks will be decisive for Fati’s futur with Monaco’s upcoming league fixtures will test whether Pocognoli intends to reintegrate him into the starting XI or continue utilising him sparingly. While, Barca will watch closely, aware that the January transfer window provides an escape route if the situation remains stagnant.

Should the winger fail to regain prominence, Barcelona are expected to push for a new loan or even explore a fresh permanent destination, prioritising clubs capable of guaranteeing consistent minutes. The Catalans still would see the 23-year-old as an asset who must maintain regular competitive action to preserve both his value and long-term trajectory. For now, Fati’s future lies in a delicate balance, a once-promising revival halted abruptly by a managerial shif.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta oversaw one of the busiest and productive summer transfer windows in recent memory at the Emirates, but an unmissable January opportunity could be too good to ignore.

Berta broke the club’s total transfer window record with an unprecedented summer spending spree nearing £270 million, backing Mikel Arteta to the hilt as Arsenal attempt to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

The Gunners made eight major additions to their squad, addressing key areas of weakness and adding real depth that had been lacking in previous campaigns.

The jewel in Arsenal’s summer recruitment crown was Viktor Gyokeres, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon to finally solve the club’s long-standing centre-forward problem. The Swede’s agent even waived his £6 million commission to help facilitate the deal after two seasons of Gyokeres free scoring in Portugal, and while he hasn’t exactly hit those heights just yet, it could simply be a matter of settling in as he also fights to return from injury.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Martin Zubimendi was another major coup, with the ex-Real Sociedad maestro bolstering Arsenal’s engine room and allowing Declan Rice more freedom to roam forward. Arsenal beat Tottenham to the signing of Eberechi Eze as well, tempting the former Crystal Palace star from under Thomas Frank’s nose in what was one of the best transfer hijacks in recent memory.

Noni Madueke — who seriously impressed prior to being sidelined with a knee injury — Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Norgaard made up the rest of Berta’s recruitment drive, and all of them have barely set a foot wrong thus far when fit and available.

Given Arsenal aren’t usually active in January, with the exceptions of Jorginho, Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior in recent years, alongside their record-breaking summer, you could be forgiven for thinking that the winter could look fairly quiet at N5.

However, recent reports indicate that may not be the case.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s deals both expire in 2027, meaning Arsenal must think about the long-term when it comes to Arteta’s left wing.

As such, some media sources believe that Arsenal could make a move for Lyon’s Malick Fofana, and they retain an interest in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

Arsenal given £35m Rodrygo discount as Real Madrid star vies for January move

The Brazil international was a summer target for Arsenal, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, and exploratory talks were held over a potential deal back in May.

Links continued into 2025, but the cost of a deal and difficulties surrounding the mere logistics appeared to thwart a transfer to north London.

However, according to TEAMtalk, Arsenal remain keen on Rodrygo ahead of January, and the ‘frustrated’ Real forward is increasingly tempted to leave the Bernabeu in pursuit of more game time.

What’s more, Arsenal have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of Rodrygo, with Xabi Alonso’s side dramatically reducing their asking price by £35 million — opening the door for Berta to potentially strike a deal.

His summer price tag was around £88 million, but Real have now slashed it to around £53 million amid interest from Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool.

The 24-year-old’s situation at Real has become increasingly uncertain after falling down the pecking order and starting just two La Liga games this season, with Rodrygo struggling to cement a regular position and casting doubt over his place in the team.

With the 2026 World Cup looming, Rodrygo will be desperate to play regularly and ensure a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

Arsenal could offer him a route out, but it is also believed that title rivals City are the favourites for his signature as things stand. Despite not being fancied by Alonso, teammate Jude Belligham has previously called Rodrygo the club’s most “gifted” and “underrated” player.

Christian Pulisic has revealed the “embarrassing” choice that he made for his initiation song at AC Milan. The USMNT star took to belting out Miley Cyrus’ hit ‘Party in the USA’, much to his own disgust. He has also revealed how Luka Modric was able to avoid suffering a similar fate in a group environment by handing out iPhone gifts to his new team-mates at San Siro.

• Honorary Milanista: Captain America is thriving in Italy

  Pulisic moved to Italy in the summer of 2023 when bringing a four-year, Champions League-winning stint with Premier League giants Chelsea to a close. He settled quickly in new surroundings, registering 15 goals across his debut campaign. That bar was raised to 17 efforts last term.

  The 27-year-old has endeared himself to another passionate fan base, with ‘Captain America’ now considered to be an honorary Milanista. He has also proved his worth to those that he shares the field with, although many may have fault to pick with his singing ability.

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  Stick to the day job: Pulisic reveals choice of initiation song

  Pulisic is not the type to speak his mind on a regular basis, but begrudgingly accepted that he had to stand up and showcase his vocal talents when joining Milan. He still cringes when thinking about that episode and now wishes that he had taken the same approach as Ballon d’Or-winning colleague Modric by putting his hand into his pocket instead.

  Discussing his adjustment to life with the Rossoneri, Pulisic told : “I don’t make myself heard vocally; I’m more reserved, quiet in the group. It’s my personality in life; people can see it. But I’ve grown a bit in my career, and I’m not afraid to speak my mind.

  “Did Modric give us iPhones as an initiation rite? Yes, I didn’t know this had come out. I don’t know if I should confirm it, but yes. You should sing in front of the team. But when you’re Luka Modric and you’ve won the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, you can skip that process. And then you don’t say no to new iPhones. It’s a win-win situation.

  “My initiation song? It’s embarrassing. I sang Miley Cyrus’s ‘Party in the USA’, I thought it was appropriate. I think I did something similar at Chelsea. It’s the worst moment in the world. I hate it; it makes me cringe. You see people so uncomfortable.”

• Documentary star: Why private Pulisic allowed cameras into his life

  Pulisic does his best to keep himself out of the spotlight as much as possible – although his ever-growing celebrity status makes that difficult. He does not showcase his life on social media, but did star in a documentary for Paramount+ in 2024.

  He added on that venture and keeping his life private: “It’s not that I don’t trust it [social media], but I don’t want to add extra voices about myself. Some people are more adept at sharing their lives, and that’s fine. I’m more of a private person; it’s a personal decision. I don’t check social media much. Sure, you see news and stuff, but it’s easier to delete apps to avoid negative comments.

  “I’ve always asked myself, ‘Why did I do the documentary?’. No, come on, it wasn’t that bad. I always made it clear that I didn’t want a big crew following me. It was hard to let people into my life, but it was the right thing to do in view of the World Championships to inspire kids. It was about sharing what I’ve experienced in my career, and it was difficult. I’ve seen almost all of it, but some things are hard to rewatch. Hearing you talk a lot is not something I like.”

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  Home World Cup: Pulisic ready to star for the USMNT in 2026

  Pulisic will always prefer to do his talking on the field. He is being freed to do that again after recovering from another fitness setback, but has not been included in the latest USMNT squad. He will, however, figure prominently in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans – potentially as skipper of his country – when a home World Cup is enjoyed during the summer of 2026.

Surrey gained revenge for last month’s County T20 Cup final defeat to Lancashire Thunder as they won a weather-shortened Vitality Blast clash at Emirates Old Trafford by two runs on Duckworth-Lewis-Stern.In an 11-overs per side game, visiting spinners Kalea Moore and Tilly Corteen-Coleman struck twice apiece to restrict Lancashire to 85 for 6 following a 3.15pm start due to rain. Fi Morris top-scored with 29 off 25 balls for the home side.Surrey’s third successive win at the start of this competition was then confirmed as, when rain returned at 62 for 4 after eight overs of their chase, they were ahead of the DLS target.At Taunton late last month, Thunder won the first title of the new county-led era of women’s professional cricket thanks to a 32-run success. But Thunder are under early pressure in the Blast having now lost three from four so far.After a two-and-a-quarter-hour delay here, Surrey, who elected to bowl, made the perfect start as Moore’s offspin had Tilly Kesteven stumped by Kira Chathli off the first ball of the match on a used pitch.In that aforementioned County Cup final, Kesteven had been named player-of-the-match following a superb 77 off 60 balls, her maiden senior fifty.Ryana MacDonald-Gay trapped her England team-mate Seren Smale lbw in the next over – 10 for 2 – to leave Thunder up against it early on.They reached 24 for 2 after 3.2 overs of powerplay. Morris and captain Ellie Threlkeld united to steady Lancashire’s ship through a mix of power and invention. Threlkeld drilled Dani Gregory’s legspin down the ground for four and Morris scooped Phoebe Franklin’s seam to the long-leg fence.They shared 50 for the third wicket before Threlkeld was bowled pulling at Gregory for 24 in the eighth over amidst the late and unsuccessful scramble for runs.Moore and wicketkeeper Chathli combined again for another stumping, this time Ailsa Lister departing, and Lancashire were never able to cut loose.When Corteen-Coleman’s left-arm spin bowled Morris and Danni Collins in the 10th over, the hosts were 75 for 6.Surrey’s chase started positively as captain Bryony Smith twice clubbed Grace Johnson’s seam down the ground for boundaries in the second over, taking the score to 17 without loss.Either side of that, Danni Wyatt-Hodge twice pierced the gap at deep midwicket off Sophie Morris’s spin, and at 34 without loss after 20 balls of powerplay Surrey were motoring.The loss of three wickets in 10 balls changed that. Smith skewed Tara Norris’s left-arm seam to point shortly afterwards, ending a 38-run opening partnership with Wyatt-Hodge, before Grace Harris got a leading edge to cover later in the fifth over.When Wyatt-Hodge, on 25, hoisted Darcey Carter’s off-spin to long-on in the next, Surrey were 46 for 3. Australian legspinner Alana King, on debut, then bowled Chathli – 53 for 4 in the seventh.With the rain now falling and the DLS equation tightening up, Paige Scholfield hit Carter for six over wide long-off to seal the win given the umpires took the players off four balls later. She finished 16 not out off 14 balls.

Lionel Messi has another record to add to his collection, with the history books being rewritten in MLS. The Argentine GOAT continues to deliver magical performances for Inter Miami on a regular basis. The most recent of those saw him net a hat-trick against Nashville, with those heroics earning the South American icon a historic Player of the Matchday award.

• Messi lands MLS Golden Boot

  Messi stole the show in a regular season-ending 5-2 victory for the Herons against Nashville, as he walked away with the match ball. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also added an assist to his impressive tally in that department. He finished the 2025 campaign with 48 goal contributions in total – one short of Carlos Vela’s record haul for LAFC in 2019.

  Messi’s 29 goals saw him to the MLS Golden Boot, becoming the third man since 2005 to reach that mark after Vela (34 in 2019) and Josef Martinez (31 in 2018). Having sat out the odd game through injury, the evergreen 38-year-old finished with a 1.03 goals-per-game average – the second best return in history.

  Of Messi’s 29 efforts, 28 came from open play – which is another record in MLS circles. Having passed up a number of penalties over the course of the season, as he allowed others to pad their own stats, his solitary strike from the spot came against Nashville at GEODIS Park.

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  Argentine GOAT makes more history

  Another piece of history that Messi has claimed in 2025 relates to multi-goal performances. He finished the regular season with 10 of those – with nobody having got close to double figures before. He shared top playmaker honours with Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC after posting 19 assists. Messi is the second player – after Sebastian Giovinco of Toronto FC in 2015 (22g/16a) – to lead MLS in both goals and assists across a single campaign.

  With there seemingly no stopping the all-time great, he has become the first player in MLS to win six Player of the Matchday awards in consecutive seasons. He has 12 to his name in total, putting him level with Bradley Wright-Phillips for the third-most in MLS history. Jeff Cunningham (14) and USMNT legend Landon Donovan (19) sit ahead of Messi on that chart.

• MVP award next for 'exceptional' Messi?

  Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano, who once lined up alongside Messi for Barcelona and the Argentina national team, is in no doubt that his illustrious countryman continues to cement a standing as the GOAT.

  Mascherano has said during the 2025 season: “After the World Cup, Messi has already settled any debate. Messi is the greatest player my eyes have seen. Messi looks very happy in Miami, not only enjoying his football, but in life and with his family, and that’s something that might have been difficult in another place.”

  Mascherano said after witnessing Messi’s masterclass against Nashville, with the Argentine superstar on course to become the first player to win back-to-back MVP awards in MLS: “The reality is that Leo has been exceptional, as he usually is. I think if anyone had doubts about his regular season, he has cleared them all. He will surely be awarded the MVP.”

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  MLS Cup playoffs up next

  Messi and Inter Miami are now readying themselves for the start of the MLS Cup playoffs. They suffered heartache in that department 12 months ago, having landed the Supporters’ Shield with a record-setting tally of points. They are to be reunited with Nashville this time around, with the first fixture in their round one best-of-three series set to take place at Chase Stadium on Friday.

  Messi is already the most decorated player of all-time, but he is determined to add more trophies and medals to his glittering CV. It has been suggested that, even if he were to miss out on MLS Cup honours this season, there will be more bids for that crown to come. That is because a new contract is reportedly close to being signed in South Florida. Messi’s current deal is running down, but he has no plans to follow Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba into retirement – meaning that fresh terms will take him towards, and potentially beyond a 40th birthday in 2027.