Uruguayan footballer, prolific striker and club legend
Lionel Messi has won MLS's Golden Boot for the second straight season, with 26 goals and 17 assists for Inter Miami in 2026. He leads the league in goal contributions and is set to contend for the MLS MVP as Miami edges into the playoffs.
Celtic has moved ahead in their Champions League play-off after a 3-0 first leg in Glasgow, with Nygren and Durán scoring and Duran adding a third. LASK created chances; Celtic are in a strong position for the return leg in Linz.
FIFA has imposed sanctions after the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes has received a 10-match international ban and a $90,000 fine; teammate Nahuel Molina has been banned for seven matches and fined $90,000. Thiago Almada and Spain's Gavi have one-match bans and $30,000 fines. Argentina coach Roberto Ayala has been banned three matches and fined $30,000. The Argentine FA has been fined about $310,000–$321,000 and ordered to play a home match at 50% capacity, with parts of the fine suspended and some funds earmarked for anti-discrimination work. Parties have ten days to request the full written decisions and may appeal.
Inter Miami has drawn 2-2 with Philadelphia Union. Lionel Messi has moved to second in MLS scoring with 13 goals. His father Jorge Messi, aged 68, has died. Daniel Pinter scored for Miami, while Indiana Vassilev and Neil Pierre found the net for the Union. The result comes amid Messi’s lighter form since returning from Argentina following his father’s death.
Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami win the Campeones Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cruz Azul, sealing the club’s first Campeones Cup trophy and adding another trophy to Messi’s MLS era. Casemiro’s late header secures the win after Messi’s early headed goal; the ceremony also marks new coach Cristian Gonzalez’s first game in charge.