A reunion of Messi and Barcelona for the first time after five years!
For the first time in the last five years, a reunion between Lionel Messi and his former club, Barcelona, is going to happen as Inter Miami, the MLS Cup champion, has announced a pre-season tour where the American club will play against Barcelona. Messi, who left Barcelona in May 2021 with a loss to Celta Vigo at an empty Camp Nou, has never played against his former clubs so far. Inter Miami’s pre-season tour, starting next month, has been scheduled for the first three pre-season matches across South America on Saturday. Miami will open its pre-season tour visiting Peru. In its second pre-season tour Inter Miami will be playing against Alianza Lima. Alianza is the second most successful side in Peru with 25 First Division titles, while also boasting an international competition cup in its trophy cabinet. Its next trip will be to Medellin for a match against Atlético Nacional, Colombia’s most successful football club, with 18 First Division titles, two Copa Libertadores titles, two Copa Merconorte titles, two Copa Inter-Americana titles, and seven Copa Colombia titles. The MLS Cup champion’s final trip will be against Barcelona de Guayaquil in its first-ever match against a team from Ecuador. Barcelona is the most successful side in the Ecuadorian top-flight league, with 16 titles.
Messi’s sister is hospitalised after a car crash! Wedding cancelled
Lionel Messi’s sister, Maria Sol Messi, has been hospitalised after a severe car crash in Miami. The accident has forced the postponement of her forthcoming wedding, scheduled in early January. According to reports from Argentine newspapers, the 32-year-old suffered from several injuries in the accident, including spinal fractures, burns, as well as heel and wrist fractures. Argentine TV journalist Ngel de Brito, speaking on the America TV programme LAM, said Messi’s mother, Celia Cuccittini, confirmed that Maria Sol is now out of danger but faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation. “She is okay, she’s out of danger,” de Brito said while reading messages he said were confirmed by the family. “But she was due to get married in Rosario on 3rd January and naturally it has to be suspended now. She suffered burns, which are very difficult to treat, and displacement of vertebrae. She has already started her rehabilitation in Rosario.” The crash reportedly occurred in Miami when Maria Sol lost control of the vehicle she was driving and hit a wall. De Brito added that Cuccittini told him her daughter fainted moments before the accident. There has also been speculation that the burns may have been caused by a motorbike fall, though that detail has not been officially confirmed. Maria Sol was due to marry Julin “Tuli” Arellano, a member of Inter Miami CF’s under-19 coaching staff, in her hometown of Rosario. The ceremony was expected to be a major family gathering, with the entire Messi family in attendance, including her brother, Lionel Messi, and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. Messi himself famously married Roccuzzo in Rosario in 2017. Like her brother, Maria Sol grew up in the same neighbourhood as her partner. A clothing designer and entrepreneur, she has largely stayed out of the public eye, having lived in Spain for a period before returning to Argentina to focus on her own projects.
Messi thanks India’s football lovers in his Instagram post
Lionel Messi in an Instagram video after returning to Inter Miami, Lionel Messi shared a post expressing his desire to come to India again. He hopes to return to India again. He wrote in his post, ‘First of all, I would like to thank India for all the live they have shown over the last few days. It was a great experience for us. It was intense and short, but it was beautiful to receive all the love.” “I already knew it was coming, but to receive it in the first place was amazing. It’s crazy what they’ve done for us over the last few days. We will take all the love, and we will be back.” Messi’s tour was organised by A Satadru Dutta Initiative, with the Argentina captain accompanied by his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. His tour began with an early setback as the first chapter ended in chaos and vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, following his early exit. However, the remaining three legs proceeded smoothly, with Messi playing rondos and keepie-uppies, and also kicking footballs to fans. “Hopefully, one day, we will be able to play a game, but we will be back to visit India. Thank you very much,” Messi added.
Aroop Biswas expresses desire to quit the sports minister’s post! CM approves
Bengal’s sports minister, Aroop Biswas, has already been in the line of fire since the Messi-mess has submitted a letter, surprisingly in a hand written letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressing desire to quit the state sports minister’s post. Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee has also approved his resignation letter and decided to look after the state sports ministry till the investigation on Messi-mess at the Salt Lake Stadium ends. Bengal’s ruling party and government were left blushing after the chaos erupted at the Salt Lake stadium during the big-ticket event held for Messi. Angry fans ran amok, clashing with police, ransacking bucket chairs, banners, burnt canopies after the Argentine football star was hardly seen from the stands as he was surrounded by a mass of people, among whom Aroop Biswas was also there. Significantly, the Chief Minister has already formed a probe committee to investigate the stadium fiasco. An eight-member SIT has also been formed. Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar has been show-caused, asked to reply to the reason behind the Police failure in keeping security at the stadium within 24 hours. CEO of the stadium Deb Kumar Nandan has also been removed from his post. Biswas would like to tender his resignation in the interest of a free and fair investigation. Biswas is one of the most trusted aides of the chief minister and a powerful figure in the Trinamool Congress. It is learnt that Ghosh got a prior information that from his sources that the Chief Minister was mulling over Biswas’s resignation.
Messi visits Vanatara wildlife, sends ‘heartfelt’ message to India!
Argentine legend Lionel Messi visited the Vantara wildlife and rescue centre in Jamnagar on Monday before wrapping up his GOAT India Tour. Reliance Industries’ Executive Director and Vantara’s founder, Anant Ambani, hosted Messi and his Inter Miami teammates at the extensive centre. The football legends stayed at the Jamnagar facility overnight, according to an ANI report. Argentine legend, in his official farewell to his Indian fans, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming love, respect, and admiration he received from fans across India. He thanked Indian supporters for their passion and warmth, and shared his hope to return to the country again in the future! After spending three unforgettable days across four cities, which marked Delhi as the final stop of the GOAT’s visit, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed football icons Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo De Paul at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday afternoon. Along with CM Rekha Gupta, ICC Chairman Jay Shah and DDCA President Rohan Jaitley were also present at the event. The interaction between Lionel Messi and Shah was a warm exchange of gestures, with the ICC Chairman presenting Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul with Indian cricket team jerseys, symbolising the convergence of two of India’s most beloved sports. Messi also received a special autographed cricket bat from Shah, making the moment a unique fusion of football and cricketing heritage. Messi was also seen kicking the ball towards the stands along with his Inter Miami teammates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. They were also entertained by the Minerva Football Academy boys, who were felicitated for winning the Dana and Gothia Cups recently.
Flight delayed; Messi’s meeting with PM Narendra Modi cancelled
The much-awaited meeting between Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Prime Minister Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will not be meeting India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his New Delhi stop as part of the GOAT India Tour on Monday. Messi, who is in India on a three-day tour, had a chaotic experience at the Salt Lake Stadium during his first stop in Kolkata, but it has been smooth sailing since, in Hyderabad and Mumbai, respectively. Argentine captain’s arrival in New Delhi has been delayed after his flight was deferred due to inclement weather. In the national capital, Messi was scheduled to meet Modi and a 21-minute protocol was prepared for the same, one that was cancelled late on the day before the meeting. Modi will be travelling to Oman, Ethiopia and Jordan on a four-day visit, discussing bilateral ties between India and the three nations. “Today, I am embarking on a three-nation visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Sultanate of Oman, three nations with which India shares both age-old civilization ties, as well as extensive contemporary bilateral relations,” the Prime Minister said in a statement before leaving India. Meanwhile, Messi is likely to meet cricketer Virat Kohli, Home Minister Amit Shah, Chief of Defense Staff, General Anil Chauhan and the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, among others, during his New Delhi visit. His trip will conclude with a felicitation event at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where he will conduct a coaching clinic, followed by a meet-and-greet with young players from Minerva Academy, who won three European youth trophies earlier this year.
Suarez astounded by 13-year-old Tanishka’s nutmegging skill in Wankhede!
Despite the fact that Wankhede Stadium on Sunday was mesmerized by Lionel Messi’s presence during the GOAT tour after Kolkata, one moment stole the show. Messi indulged in passes with the girls on the pitch, and the moment unfolded when a 13-year-old Tanishka Kawade found herself with the ball at her feet. She then instinctively and fearlessly nutmegged Luis Suarez! The Uruguay World Cupper, who, along with Rodrigo D’Paul, also accompanied Lionel Messi in the tour, was seen astounded by Tanishka’s skill. His expression frozen in disbelief, before a smile slowly followed. It was a brief exchange, but one that instantly became unforgettable. For Tanishka, the moment was surreal. Later, while speaking to The Indian Express, Tanishka said, “He didn’t say anything. He just looked at me with a surprised expression. It was a great feeling because my dream was to meet Ronaldo, but I met Messi – that was also a big dream.” However, Wankhade Stadium was packed to capacity, buzzing with noise and anticipation, as thousands of ardent fans gathered to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi. Every seat in every stand was filled, every phone held high, as the global icon made his way around the ground. For 60 kids inside the venue, it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to share the pitch with one of the all-time greats in football history and pass the ball around with him.
Messi faces the mess! Salt Lake turns fiery; why was Messi’s plan of circling the ground in a hood-open car changed?
After almost a decade, the renovated Salt Lake Stadium turned tumultuous. Nearly 45 thousand ‘madding crowd’, completely down in the dumps, burst out of anger and vandalized a major portion of the seats in the stadium’s lower tier, threw water bottles relentlessly to the ground, cracked the banners set on the galleries and finally flooded themselves to the ground, breaking the barrier! The ground was turned into a sea of rampaging spectators towards the police. A few of the police personnel even got injured. In return, police also beat them, and even photographers who were doing their duties were attacked. The reason can be assumed. The passionate fans wanted to see their hero in Lionel Messi’s first GOAT tour that started with Kolkata on Saturday, 13th December at Salt Lake Stadium. They were waiting for the legend since morning. But Messi was not visible! He entered the stadium at 11.30 sharp, coming out of a car and started walking down the pitch. Immediately after he, along with his two Inter Miami mates, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, began to walk, a chunk of people, consisting of security, officials, and a section of the organizing team, surrounded them like a beehive! And despite repeated announcements to free the ground so that the spectators could see him, they never left the pitch! According to sources close to West Bengal Police, plans had been made to arrange a hood-open car for the legendary footballer who was supposed to circle the stadium ground before walking down the pitch and participating in a brief session with the kids who were waiting for their hero since Saturday morning on the ground. Why was the plan changed, and under whose instruction? One of the police officers revealed on condition of anonymity, “Rehearsal was also made on Thursday and Friday. Two hood-open cars were arranged. One was scheduled to take Messi, and Chief Minister Mamata Bandopadhyay, also invited to the function, was supposed to circle the ground. We do not know how it changed in the eleventh hour.” Messi, who unveiled his 70-foot iron statue virtually from the hotel on Saturday morning, was also supposed to watch the exhibition football match, which could not be played for more than 15 minutes. He was supposed to stay at the stadium for one hour, but he was there for only 14 minutes! Shah Rukh Khan, also invited to the function, could not step in. Amidst the furious fans’ agitation across the stadium complex, seeking a refund of the high-priced tickets, King Khan returned after waiting for around 20 minutes. Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar told the media during his post-event briefings, “Organizer of the Messi’s GOAT tour Satadru Dutta has been arrested. He has also given in writing that all the spectators will get refunds. Chief Minister has set a two-member committee for the investigation of the event, as it was a big chaos.” Chief Minister, who also had to return before entering the stadium, has sought an apology to the crowd, to Lionel Messi in her tweets. But, football-loving Kolkata had already suffered a face-losing by that time!
Aneek Dhar composes a song for Lionel Messi; The Kolkata singer thrilled to perform on stage in front of Lio
Kolkata singer Aneek Dhar, who earned prominence in a music reality show, is mesmerized to have obtained the opportunity to perform in front of Lionel Messi on stage on Saturday during the Argentine legend’s visit to Kolkata. Dhar, speaking to Parallel Sports on Friday, revealed, “I have composed a song for the legendary footballer exclusively, which I will deliver in my performance on Saturday.” When asked about his feelings, the 35-year-old singer said, “I am speechless. Lionel Messi is like a god. Not only as a footballer, I feel Messi can be an ideal example as a human being, too. I am thankful to Satadru Dutta, the organizer of this GOAT tour, for giving me the opportunity.” Dhar has not yet thought about what he would say to Messi if the opportunity comes for a handshake. “I do not know what I will say to him. I might be hypnotized.” Dhar is aware of the language barrier as Messi speaks Spanish or Portuguese. “I only know how to say ‘hello’ in Spanish. Still, I will do homework, try to speak a few more words if I get a chance,” said Aneek Dhar.
This World Cup may witness one of the most exciting duels between Messi and Ronaldo!
If he finally plays, then the 2026 World Cup may watch one of the most exciting duels between the two icons, for the first time and also for the last time in a World Cup. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never clashed each other in a World Cup match. There can be two situations which can guide Argentina paly against Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinal and if not, then in the semi-final. The quarterfinal is scheduled to be held at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on 11th July while the semifinal has been scheduled on 15th July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. But for the quarterfinal meeting, Argentina will have to top in the Group J in the first round. And in the case of second situation, if Argentina tops Group-J, Portugal qualify as a runner-up or one of the third-placed teams then they will be meeting in the last-four of the tournament. Then Messi and Ronaldo will lock horns in the World Cup semi-finals on 15th July The venue is one of America’s busiest multi-purpose stadiums, having hosted a Super Bowl in 2019 and staged six matches of the FIFA Club World Cup, including the quarterfinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, earlier this year. Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title four years ago, while Ronaldo guided Portugal to its first-ever international trophy, the European Championship, in 2016.
