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Messi the creator as Miami win in MLS opener
Lionel Messi created both goals as Inter Miami made a winning start to the new Major League Soccer season with a 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday.
The Argentine World Cup winner, who played the entire game, put aside any concerns about his early season fitness with an excellent performance for the bookmakers’ title favorites.
“He looked loose, fine and showed a lot of speed,” coach Gerardo Martino said of Messi, who missed the back end of last season for Miami with injuries and was also sidelined for part of the pre-season.
The other three members of Miami’s former Barcelona quartet, debutant Luis Suarez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and left-back Jordi Alba, all started in front of a capacity crowd.
Against a cautious Salt Lake side, Messi went close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute with a curling free-kick from 30 yards out which was headed off the line by Justen Glad.
He then brought huge cheers from the crowd when, on the edge of the box, his route was blocked by a player down on the floor, but he chipped the ball over him and let loose a shot which was blocked.
But Miami got in front when Spaniard Sergio Busquets found Messi and the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner cleverly slipped the ball through to Finnish forward Robert Taylor, whose low shot beat RSL keeper Zac MacMath.
The goalkeeper should have kept the effort out but it was a goal which forced the visitors to open up after the interval and their more aggressive approach caused Inter some problems.
Cristian Arango blasted a half-chance high over the bar for Salt Lake and then, after Busquets sloppily gave the ball away, Andres Gomez burst goalwards but the Colombian winger fired wide.
The Utah side should have made more of the space they found as Miami struggled in the early stages of the second half but paid the price for a lack of precision.
Sensing his team needed another goal or two to make sure of the points, Messi upped his work-rate and began to take control of the game.
Dropping deeper to collect the ball, he launched several attacks with his own swift bursts forward allied with his trademark close control.
The 36-year-old weaved down the inside left channel to find space for a cross to the back post to Julian Gressel but the German put his effort wide from the tight angle.
Then Messi burst again from deep and found Suarez who picked out Diego Gomez and the Paraguayan midfielder buried his shot low into the far corner to make it 2-0.
That trio almost combined again for a third with Messi slipping to Gomez who then served Suarez but the Uruguayan’s effort was saved by the outstretched leg of MacMath.
Martino was delighted to see two of the lesser heralded members of his cast on target.
“This is what should happen with a team. Normally Luis and Leo would be the ones most associated with the goal, but the fact that Robert and Diego have converted and (Messi and Suarez) have been the assistants is always a positive thing,” he said.
The former Argentina, Mexico and Barcelona coach said he was sure that Messi and Suarez would be able to recapture some of the magic they had shown during their seasons at the Camp Nou.
“They know each other so well but we have to find that partnership that worked already in Barcelona,” he said.
For Taylor, who enjoyed a rich spell of form immediately after Messi joined the club and was a key part of the team which won the Leagues Cup, it was a positive opening to the campaign.
“It’s the start we wanted, I mean, there’s still some things that we need to work on. Obviously, it’s the first game of the season, but the positive thing is the three points and we’ll build on this,” he said.
Inter Miami return to action on Sunday at Los Angeles Galaxy.
News
Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw
Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.
Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.
And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.
“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots
After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.
According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.
Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.
He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.
In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.
Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”
Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.
While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:
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United lost control after scoring
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They failed to win second balls
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They should have killed the match earlier
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The inconsistency is becoming a real problem
For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.
West Ham Deserved Their Point
To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.
United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.
Where Do United Go From Here?
Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.
Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.
What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.
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Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania
Beckham Links Up With The New Generation
Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.
The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.
It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.
How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon
In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.
Thanks to players like:
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David Beckham
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Zinedine Zidane
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Steven Gerrard
…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.
Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.
And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.
A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns
The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.
Adidas describes it as:
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“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
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Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
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And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold
Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”
Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.
Engineered For Today’s Game
While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.
The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.
Key enhancements include:
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Upgraded comfort
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Subtle structural refinement
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Increased responsiveness
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Modern fit for today’s style of play
In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.
Back On The Bernabéu Grass
The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.
From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.
Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.
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