Goncalves urges Hong Kong football chiefs to invite English Premier League, La Liga giants for tours to raise standards

April 30, 2024

Centre-back Goncalves is approaching his 10-year anniversary as a Kitchee player, a landmark that traditionally earns European footballers a testimonial. Goncalves says more investment in Hong Kong football would entice quality foreigners. Photo: Getty Images The 38-year-old would hand-pick either Juventus or Santos, the Brazilian club where he began his career, as opponents for such …

Lionel Messi strikes twice as Nashville SC falls to Inter Miami again

April 22, 2024

Nashville SC’s first game in two weeks went in with a bang and out with a whimper. Nashville took the lead in the second minute but Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist as Inter Miami rallied from conceding an own goal to winning 3-1 Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. …

Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls score, highlights, Messi sidelined

March 25, 2024

2x FIFA Champ Mia Hamm reflects on Messi Mania in the US Mia Hamm is not surprised at all by how Lionel Messi has taken America by storm. Sports Seriously, USA TODAY Inter Miami had a rough day at the office without Lionel Messi, who remains sidelined by a hamstring injury. Lewis Morgan scored a …

Real Madrid to face Man City in Champions League quarterfinals. PSG gets Barcelona

March 17, 2024

NYON, Switzerland (AP) — One day, Real Madrid and Manchester City might actually get to meet in a stellar Champions League final. Just not yet. The winners of the last two Champions Leagues will meet in the quarterfinals next month after Friday’s draw set up another heavyweight clash between the only teams who are still …

Nashville SC eliminated by Messi, Inter Miami in Champions Cup

March 14, 2024

Coming into Wednesday, Nashville SC could claim relative success against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Through three games against the Herons since they signed arguably the greatest soccer player of all time, Nashville had yet to lose in 90 minutes. That streak is now over — and so is Nashville’s maiden voyage in the CONCACAF Champions …

How to watch Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami vs. CF Montréal MLS soccer game today: Livestream options, more

March 10, 2024

Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF looks on during the first half of the Concacaf Champions Cup Leg One Round of 16 match against Nashville SC at GEODIS Park on March 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami CF face CF Montréal at Chase Stadium in Fort …

Messi in Hong Kong: how can Miami-style tours satisfy Asia fans? Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan has a solution

March 3, 2024

Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan says condensing Far East tours could help visiting football teams avoid repeating the Lionel Messi affair in Hong Kong. European clubs have long jetted to the region in preseason, balancing preparation for competitions back home with exploring new markets and earning appearance money. Inter Miami, aiming to establish a global following, …

Messi set for stateside Argentina friendlies, world champions fill gap left by Chinese call-offs after Hong Kong fiasco

February 23, 2024

The Argentine Football Association [AFA] has confirmed its world champion national team will play two friendly matches in the USA next month, after a pair of fixtures in China were axed following Lionel Messi’s ill-starred visit to Hong Kong. The breadth and scale of the backlash against Messi, following his non-participation when Inter Miami faced …

Lionel Messi shambles could have been avoided. Hong Kong’s former Manchester United player Charlie Scott explains how

February 21, 2024

“They could have told us, ‘Messi will play the final 10 minutes, but he is injured. Don’t tackle him too hard, or go in 100 per cent against him. Let him have the ball, and pass it and move,’” Scott said. “We would have accepted that for the fans to see him play. Playing in …

Why international defender chose Hong Kong club over mainland China move

February 21, 2024

“I have recently been playing in the Hong Kong team, and do not want to stop,” Li said. “The surroundings here are more comfortable for me. In mainland China, I was not feeling really happy. I was without my friends and family, and had no close support. Li Ngai-hoi has featured more regularly in Hong …