Sports

Miami move ‘opposite’ of PSG switch, says happy Messi

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2023

Lionel Messi

Miami move ‘opposite’ of PSG switch, says happy Messi

Lionel Messi said Thursday he has refound happiness since joining Inter Miami, describing his move to Major League Soccer as the “opposite” of his transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi, who has scored nine goals in six appearances since joining Miami, joined the MLS club after two seasons in France with PSG.

Speaking to local media for the first time since arriving in Miami, a relaxed Messi talked positively of his life in South Florida and contrasted it with his time in the French capital, which drew to a close earlier this year with sections of PSG’s fans booing him.

“As I said at the time, my departure to Paris was not something I wanted, it was not something I wanted to leave Barcelona and, so to speak, it was from one day to the next,” he said.

“And, well, I also had to get used to a place that was totally different from where I had been living all my life, both in terms of the city and in a sporting sense, and, well, it was difficult, but the opposite of what is happening to me now here,” he said.

Messi had been with Barcelona from the age of 13, when he moved from Argentina to join the Spanish giants and his move, after years of success, was primarily the result of financial difficulties at the club.

There had been speculation that Messi might return to Barcelona or join the wave of players heading to the Saudi league but Messi said he was pleased with his decision.

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“I can tell you that I am very happy with the decision we made, not only for the game, for how it is going, but for my family, for how we live day by day, for how we enjoy the city, for this new experience and the reception of the people that was extraordinary from the first day, not only in Miami,” he said.

– ‘Family decision’ –

“I made two away trips with the team and the treatment of the people towards me was spectacular. So I am grateful and happy for the moment I am living and above all to be able to continue enjoying what I liked all my life, to play and to be able to do it in this way with joy,” he said, stressing his decision had made together with his family.

The seven-times Ballon d’Or winner has the chance to win his first trophy when Miami take on Nashville on Saturday in the final of the Leagues Cup.

It would also be his club’s first triumph in just their third season of existence. ;

“It would be amazing, wouldn’t it? Both for me and for all the people who are fans of the club, for the club itself,” he said.

“We want to be a point of reference and winning a title would help a lot in that. It is a very young club, it has been around for a very short time, and to win our first title would be great for all of us,” he said.

Despite huge expectations and the hope that the Argentine World Cup winner will lead the sport to new heights in the United States, Messi said he was simply enjoying the game and his life.

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“The truth is that I don’t think about all those things, I simply came here to play, to continue enjoying football, which is what I have liked all my life and I chose this place for that reason, above all things,” he said. ;

Messi said his family had settled in well, despite them not yet having found a permanent home in the area and he said that he enjoyed to be part of the Spanish-speaking community in South Florida.

“From the beginning, since my arrival, the welcome was impressive, it is a city with many Latinos, and that makes everything much easier too,” he said.

“The Latinos are much closer, much more demonstrative, always showing affection, closeness, and I think that is the most important, the healthiest and the most beautiful thing in order to be able to settle in and enjoy what you do,” he said.

“I already knew the city pretty well, how the people were. I already loved it….but to be living here every day and passing all of my time here has let me get a lot closer to the city and the people here.

“I’m happy, I’m enjoying this new chapter of my life, the experience of living in the United States, which was something I always had in mind to do.” ;

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Miami move ‘opposite’ of PSG switch, says happy Messi

Sports

Flying Eagles beat Egypt 2-1 in U-20 AFCON warm-up

Published

21 hours ago

April 23, 2025

Trends Admin

Flying Eagles beat Egypt 2-1 in U-20 AFCON warm-up

Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, defeated their Egyptian counterparts 2-1 in a friendly match on Tuesday in Cairo, ahead of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament will take place in Egypt from April 27 to May 18.

Kparobo Arierhi gave Nigeria the lead in the 10th minute after receiving a fine pass from Bidemi Amole and coolly slotting it home.

Egypt equalised in the 65th minute through Ahmed Kaabaka, but Nigeria regained the lead in the 83rd minute when Precious Benjamin scored from the penalty spot.

The penalty came after Divine Oliseh was fouled in the box.

The win is a big boost for Nigeria, who arrived in Egypt on Sunday for the 17th U-20 AFCON.

Nigeria, the seven-time champions, is in Group B and will play its first match against Tunisia on Thursday. It will also face Morocco and Kenya in the group stage.

NAN reports that the top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile slated for Sept. 27 to October 19. (NAN)

Sports

Osimhen to rake in N136bn from Man United

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2025

Trends Admin

Osimhen to rake in N136bn from Man United

Super Eagles’ ace striker, Victor Osimhen, will reportedly earn at least a staggering One Hundred Thirty-Six Billion , Two Hundred Thirty-Three Million and Six Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand Naira if he eventually switched to Manchester United in the summer, even as Al Wehdah striker Odion Ighalo has urged his former national teammate to explore a life-time opportunity to play in the English Premier League.

In the meantime, several Turkish outlets have claimed that Manchester United are close to finalising a deal for Osimhen, who remains a Galatasaray player until the end of the season.

The on-loan frontman has faced a hugely uncertain future over the last year due to how his fiery Napoli exit panned out; after clashing heads with Antonio Conte, he was stripped of his number and removed from the side’s Serie A squad list before the season began, leaving him little to no time to agree a deal with a suitor before the transfer deadline.

When a move to Al Ahli collapsed in the final stages, Osimhen signed for Galatasaray with no buy option included in the terms. As such, he now has only two months remaining in Turkey before he’ll have to return to Napoli and hold some pretty crucial talks over his next steps.

Osimhen has long been linked with an Old Trafford switch over the years, primarily because he poses as a direct solution to their flagrant goal-scoring woes.

The Nigerian international boasts a stunning 143 career goals in 257 appearances, including 29 goals – and a further six assists – in only 34 appearances this term.

Turkish journalist Aygun Ozipek claimed the 26-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with the Red Devils for a fee of £51 million, with the player said to have negotiated a salary worth £12.8m (about N27,246,732,800) per year.

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Meanwhile, Ighalo has counselled Osimhen to consider a move to the Premier League this summer and feels what it looks like to play in the most exciting league in the world.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by former national beach soccer team’s star, Abu Azeez, Ighalo shared his thoughts on the ongoing transfer brouhaha surrounding Osimhen.

“My advice would be for him to try the Premier League, but ultimately, he knows what’s best for himself,” Ighalo disclosed .”People can say all they want, but only the player knows what’s truly in his heart and mind.

“Whatever decision he makes, he has my full support—101%,” he added.

In a related development, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted that it is “impossible” to win games with misfiring forwards following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

Rasmus Hojlund once again failed to find the back of the net, meaning he now only has one goal in his last 28 appearances for the Red Devils, and the Denmark international continues to be linked with a summer exit amid his woes in front of goal.

Yet Amorim was eager to avoid responding to transfer rumours despite the fact that Osimhen, Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike have all been tipped to join Man Utd during the 2025 summer window.

“We will address that in the end,” Amorim admitted to reporters when asked about his side’s pursuit of a new centre forward.

“Of course we have a plan and we talk about that every day but the season is not over so let’s focus on that.

“It’s a team thing. Of course we have an idea of what this team needs but also the guys we play with, we play at least three guys in front to score goals and we have midfielders… all the team needs to score more goals and you have opportunities with the midfielders and the striker.

“We need to improve as a team because if you don’t score goals in this league it’s impossible to win games.”

Sports

U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles tackle Young Pharaohs in friendly

Published

2 days ago

April 22, 2025

Trends Admin

Flying Eagles Players

U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles tackle Young Pharaohs in friendly

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles have arrived in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo as the seven-time African champions get set for 17th Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals starting in the North African country on Sunday.

A delegation of 24 players and nine officials led by Head Coach, Aliyu Zubairu touched down at the Cairo International Airport aboard Egypt Air flight on Sunday evening.

The team is lodged at Jewel Sports City and Aqua Resort, and commenced training session yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will square up to host nation, the Young Pharaohs of Egypt this evening as part of their build-up to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations billed to take place 27th April – 18th May.

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The match is slated for 5pm local time (4pm Nigeria time) at the Cairo International Stadium.

Nigeria get their campaign underway against Tunisia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Thursday 1st May.

The Africa U20 Cup of Nations serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for 27th September – 19th October in Chile.

All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals.