MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — An Argentine not named Messi was the MVP for Inter Miami in the Club World Cup on Saturday night. The hero in the tournament opener was goaltender Oscar Ustari.

There will be a time, said Lionel Messi’s friend and former Argentina team-mate Sergio Agüero, when football (soccer) in the United States will be divided into two periods: Before Messi and After Messi.

There isn’t a more iconic figure in modern sports than Inter Miami star and global soccer legend Lionel Messi. At this stage of his career, Messi has made it clear that his top priorities are staying healthy and being happy.

Lionel Messi confronted James Rodriguez as tensions boiled over during Argentina ’s feisty World Cup qualifier with Colombia. The Inter Miami superstar was caught on camera engaging in a war of words with Rodriguez, with it reported that Messi was riled by the ex-Real Madrid midfielder’s recent comments about the 2024 Copa America final.