MLS Star Lionel Messi
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SPORT- Recent insights from Game Set & Match have revealed the staggering earnings of football stars’ partners from social media sponsorships.

Topping the list is Georgina Rodriguez, the long-time partner of Cristiano Ronaldo, who rakes in an impressive $234,800 per sponsored post on Instagram.

In comparison, Lionel Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, earns nearly half that amount, with her income from a single post estimated at $162,300.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are in discussions to extend his contract until the end of 2026, as reported by Football Espana.

The current agreement of the 37-year-old Argentine with the Florida club runs until December 2025. According to Marca, the contract will include a provision for a loan to a European club, such as Barcelona, during the MLS offseason in the 2025-2026 season. The aim is to ensure the player remains in optimal physical condition.

Furthermore, it is highlighted that one of Messi’s ambitions could be to represent Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It is worth noting that last season, Messi scored 21 goals and provided 11 assists in 22 matches for Inter Miami.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Saturday announced that football legend Lionel Messi will arrive in the state on October 25. The Argentine star will stay in Kerala until November 2, during which the Argentine national team will play two friendly matches.

At an event held here, Abdurahiman revealed that, in addition to the matches, a special venue will be set up for fans to meet Messi. The football icon has agreed to interact with fans for 20 minutes, offering them a rare opportunity to get close to the legend. While the minister shared these key details, he did not disclose any further specifics about Messi’s itinerary or details of the friendly matches.

The announcement follows a significant effort by the Kerala state sports department to bring Messi and the Argentine team to the southern state. Abdurahiman had first revealed plans to host the team in Kerala in November 2024, after the Argentine squad expressed interest in playing a friendly match in India post their World Cup victory in Qatar.

However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially rejected the proposal due to the high costs involved. In response, the Kerala government took the initiative, with the sports minister personally writing to Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia. After positive discussions with the Argentine team’s management in Spain, the plan to bring Messi to Kerala was set into motion. This landmark visit is expected to be a major event for football fans in Kerala, with Messi’s presence set to boost the sport’s popularity in the region.

With less than two months until the 2025 MLS season kicks off, teams are gearing up for competitive preseason action to fine-tune their squads. One of the top contenders, Inter Miami, has unveiled their preseason schedule, revealing the opponents Lionel Messi and his teammates will face.

Inter Miami made history in the 2024 MLS regular season, securing the Supporters’ Shield with a record-breaking 74 points—the highest in league history. With Messi crowned MLS Most Valuable Player, the team is aiming to build on their success and prepare for another remarkable campaign.

Inter Miami will begin their 2025 preseason with a match against Club America on Saturday, January 18, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The team will then travel to South America to face Peruvian champions Club Universitario de Deportes on Wednesday, January 29, at Estadio Monumental in Lima, Peru.

The third preseason game is set for Sunday, February 2, against Sporting San Miguelito in Panama City, Panama, at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Gutierrez. Next, Inter Miami will visit Honduras to take on Club Deportivo Olimpia on Saturday, February 8, at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula. The final match of their preseason will bring them back to the States for the game with Orlando City SC on Friday, February 14, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Inter Miami’s 2024 preseason drew criticism for the grueling travel demands placed on the team. Last year’s schedule saw the squad traveling across three continents, participating in seven matches against opponents like New York City FC, El Salvador national team, Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Vissel Kobe, Hong Kong Team, and Newell’s Old Boys.

The team covered nearly 45,000 kilometers during their 2024 preseason, including commitments in the Riyadh Season Cup, which led to notable fatigue among the players. Even Lionel Messi, who joined the team in the summer, publicly expressed his exhaustion following the intense travel schedule.

In response, Inter Miami has adjusted their strategy for 2025, opting for fewer international fixtures and a more localized schedule. This approach aims to reduce travel fatigue and ensure optimal preparation ahead of a challenging season.

When does the 2025 MLS season start for Inter Miami?

The 2025 season promises to be a demanding year for Inter Miami, with a packed schedule that includes MLS action, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 2025 MLS schedule has already been released, with each team set to play 34 matches. Inter Miami will kick off their campaign on February 22 against New York City FC at Chase Stadium. The regular season will conclude on October 18 with an away match against Nashville SC on “Decision Day.”

Football legend Lionel Messi and his Argentine team will come to Kerala

Football legend Lionel Messi and his Argentine team will come to Kerala. The information coming out is that the player will arrive in Kerala on October 25. State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said at an event in Kozhikode that Messi will be in Kerala for seven days. The minister clarified that apart from the friendly match decided earlier, Messi will also participate in the public event. 20 minutes are allotted for this. The Argentina Football Association officials and Abdurahiman have agreed to provide fans with an opportunity to interact with Messi. It will be decided soon which team Argentina will play against. The minister did not provide further details.

The Argentine football team, which won the Qatar World Cup, had informed the Indian Football Association that it is ready to play a friendly match in India. The association had declined the invitation on the grounds that it could not afford the cost of the match. Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman had sent a letter to the Argentine Football Association inviting the Argentine team to Kerala. A reply via email was received accepting the invitation.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had visited the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic in Delhi and expressed his interest in cooperating with Argentina for the development of football in the state. There are likely to be two matches in Kerala. Argentina’s team including Messi had played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in 2011. Lionel Messi was the captain of Argentina in the friendly match against Venezuela.