Sports
Messi Bags 900th Career Goal As Inter Miami Crash Out Of CONCACAF Champions Cup
Argentine superstar Lionel Messi bagged the 900th goal of his glittering career on Wednesday but could not prevent Inter Miami from crashing out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup on away goals after a 1-1 draw with Nashville.
Messi, 38, scored his milestone goal after just seven minutes to put Miami 1-0 up in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the regional club competition.
But Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza lashed in a 74th-minute equalizer to make it 1-1 on aggregate, and after holding Miami at bay for the remainder of the game, the visitors from Tennessee advanced to the quarter-finals on the away goals rule.
Players of Nashville SC celebrate and advance to the next round of the CONCACAF Champions Cup 2026 after the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on March 18, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Leonardo Fernandez
Miami’s exit was a bittersweet ending to what had promised to be a night of celebration after Messi’s early opener in what was the club’s final game at their Chase Stadium home in Fort Lauderdale.
Messi’s strike took the Argentine’s tally to 81 goals for the MLS champions following his move to Florida in 2023.
The eight-time Ballon D’Or winner previously scored 672 goals for Spanish giants Barcelona, 32 for France’s Paris Saint-Germain, and a further 115 international goals for Argentina.
Goal number 900 came some 21 years after Messi’s first goal in senior football, when he scored for Barcelona in a 2-0 win over Albacete in 2005 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old.
Messi, widely regarded as the greatest player in football history, still has some way to go before he catches his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Portuguese superstar who is on 965 career goals.
Speaking ahead of Messi’s 900th goal, Miami manager and former Argentina and Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano described the star’s goals total as “insane.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to see most, or many, of the goals he’s scored, much closer than you all, and that’s a privilege,” Mascherano said.
Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami CF puts the ball on the pitch during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium on March 18, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Leonardo Fernandez
Wednesday’s match carried added significance for Inter Miami, marking a farewell to the team’s Chase Stadium.
The venue has served as Inter Miami’s home since the club entered Major League Soccer in 2020. The team will move into a new purpose-built 26,700-seat facility next month.
Messi is strongly expected to play in his sixth World Cup later this year, when Argentina defend their title in the 48-team tournament being staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Argentine star has already extended his Inter Miami contract through to the end of the 2028 season.
Messi’s prolific goalscoring has been a hallmark of his career. His 672 goals for Barcelona came in just 778 games — an average of 0.86 per game — helping the Catalan club win 35 trophies before departure to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
In France, he scored 32 goals in 75 matches, winning three trophies including two league titles.
In Miami, his 81 goals have come in just 96 appearances, helping the team win the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2025 MLS Cup.
His 115 international goals have come in 196 matches, including two in the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.
Messi’s goals tally leaves him second only to Ronaldo according to most recognised statistical records.
Brazilian legend Pele is often said to have scored more than 1,000 goals but those numbers have been the subject to debate. Most statisticians put Pele’s total for Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos at 762.
AFP
Arsenal drew 1-1 at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final as Julian Alvarez’s penalty cancelled out a spot-kick scored by Viktor Gyokeres.
Premier League leaders Arsenal struck first when Gyokeres won and converted a penalty just before half-time, but Alvarez levelled from the spot on 56 minutes after a handball by Ben White.
AFP
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) produced a dramatic display to defeat Bayern Munich 5-4 in a pulsating UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg encounter on Tuesday night, in one of the most thrilling matches of the season.
The high-octane clash saw both sides exchange goals in a contest filled with momentum swings, VAR drama and moments of individual brilliance, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg.
Bayern struck first through Harry Kane, who calmly converted from the penalty spot in the 17th minute to give the German side an early lead.
However, PSG responded swiftly, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia levelling matters with a composed finish before João Neves headed the hosts in front from a well-delivered corner.
The visitors fought back again, as Michael Olise unleashed a stunning strike from distance to restore parity, ensuring the first half ended in dramatic fashion.
PSG regained the advantage just before the break when Ousmane Dembélé converted from the penalty spot following a VAR review, sending the home side into the interval with a 3-2 lead.
The second half continued in the same frenetic fashion. PSG extended their lead through Kvaratskhelia and later Dembélé, who struck again to make it 5-2, appearing to put the game beyond Bayern’s reach.
But the Bundesliga giants mounted a spirited comeback. Defender Dayot Upamecano rose highest to head home from a set-piece, before late pressure saw Bayern reduce the deficit further, setting up a tense finish in the closing minutes.
Despite the late surge, PSG held on to secure a narrow 5-4 victory in a match that showcased attacking flair and defensive vulnerabilities from both sides.
The encounter was also marked by several contentious moments, including multiple VAR checks, penalty appeals and tactical substitutions, reflecting the intensity and stakes of a Champions League semi-final.
Real Madrid are reportedly assessing their managerial future as speculation grows over a possible return for José Mourinho, who is said to be open to a second spell at the club.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Tuesday, Mourinho has indicated to people close to him that he would welcome the opportunity to return to Madrid, viewing it as a chance for a “second chapter” at the Santiago Bernabéu.
“Real Madrid are now informed about José Mourinho’s desire to return. Mourinho has made it clear to people close to him that he would like to return and have a second chance at the club. Real Madrid will decide on the new manager soon,” Romano posted on X.
The Portuguese coach previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, during which he won La Liga and the Copa del Rey while restoring the club’s competitiveness in European competition.
Real Madrid are understood to be reviewing their long-term coaching plans, with a decision on the club’s next managerial direction expected soon. While no official announcement has been made, internal discussions are believed to be ongoing.
Romano had reported that the Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, will be personally deciding on the Real Madrid manager, adding that he is going to take control of the process.
Mourinho’s name has re-emerged due to his continued presence among Europe’s most experienced managers.
The Spanish giants are expected to clarify their managerial situation in the near future as planning continues for the upcoming seasons.
For now, Mourinho remains one of the names linked with the role as speculation around the Bernabéu continues.
Blackout looms in Lagos as Egbin power station shuts down
Plateau Leaders Unite In Abuja As Tinubu Approves N2bn Relief
Sad: One dead as suspected herdsmen attack Army Estate in Kurudu, Abuja
-
News16 hours ago2027: Ogbeide-Ihama Joins Edo South Senatorial Race, Says Upper Chamber Not For Neophytes(Photos)
-
News16 hours agoJUST IN: Tinubu Appoints Bianca Ojukwu Foreign Affairs Minister
-
Sports16 hours agoArsenal Hold Atlético Madrid To 1-1 Draw In UCL Semi-Final
-
News13 hours agoReps probe $4.6bn health grants, demand stricter oversight
-
News16 hours agoMay Day: FG Announces Public Holiday for All Nigerians
-
News10 hours agoWatch moment FCT minister Wike being conferred with title of Abuja Hasken, Light of Abuja by FCT Traditional Council led by Ona of Abaji (Video)
-
News11 hours agoTroops halt late-night terrorist attack in Borno
-
News16 hours agoIGP Disu Fires ASP Nuhu Usman From Police Force Over Killing Of Mene Ogidi In Effurun