Sports
Messi Named MLS MVP After Historic Season With Inter Miami
Lionel Messi has been crowned Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after an exceptional season with Inter Miami, where he played a pivotal role in the club’s record-breaking campaign.
The 37-year-old Argentine forward helped Miami secure its first-ever Supporters Shield, finishing the regular season with 36 goal contributions—20 goals and 16 assists — leading the league.
Despite an injury-plagued season that saw him make only 19 appearances, Messi’s influence on the field was undeniable.
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His remarkable performances propelled Miami to a historic points tally, setting a new benchmark for the club.
However, Messi and Miami’s season ended in disappointment as they suffered a shock first-round exit in the MLS Cup playoffs.
Messi’s MVP recognition adds to his list of accolades, making him the 10th South American to win the award and the fifth Argentine to do so, joining the ranks of Luciano Acosta, Diego Valeri, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Christian Gomez.
Brazil will be without star forward Neymar when they face Haiti in their second Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, as the veteran attacker continues to recover from a calf injury.
The 34-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a right calf injury in late May and has only recently resumed training with the national team.
As a result, he will not travel with the squad to Philadelphia for the encounter against Haiti.
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Neymar was also absent from Brazil’s opening World Cup fixture, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Morocco.
Before the tournament, head coach Carlo Ancelotti had expressed optimism that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star could return in time to feature against Haiti.
However, Brazil’s coaching staff have decided not to rush his recovery. Reports in Brazilian media indicate that Ancelotti and his team are keen to avoid aggravating the injury and risking Neymar’s availability for the later stages of the competition.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that the country’s all-time leading scorer would remain behind in New Jersey to continue his rehabilitation.
In a statement, the federation said Neymar “will remain in New Jersey to make the most of the final stage of his recovery process.”
The Santos forward has endured a challenging season plagued by fitness concerns, featuring in only half of his club’s matches this year.
Neymar has not played for Brazil since October 2023, making his anticipated return one of the major talking points surrounding the five-time world champions at the tournament.
Brazil, who are seeking their first victory after being held by Morocco in their opening match, will be hoping to overcome Haiti without their talismanic playmaker.
The Seleção will round off their Group C campaign against Scotland in Miami on June 24, with hopes that Neymar could be available for selection if his recovery continues as planned.
Tunisia have sent shockwaves through the football world after dismissing head coach Sabri Lamouchi following just one game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Tunisian Football Federation announced the decision on Monday after the North African nation suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F clash.
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The loss prompted swift action from football authorities, making Lamouchi the first coach in World Cup history to be sacked after managing only one match at the tournament.
In a bid to rescue their campaign, Tunisia have appointed experienced French coach Herve Renard to take charge of the team until the end of the World Cup.
Confirming the appointment, the Tunisian public broadcaster quoted federation president Moez Nassari as saying:
“The president of the Tunisian Football Federation, Moez Nassari, announced that an official agreement had been reached with French coach Herve Renard for him to take charge of the national football team until the end of the 2026 World Cup.”
Renard brings a wealth of international experience to the role.
He is best remembered for leading Saudi Arabia to a stunning victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He also previously coached the France women’s national team.
Lamouchi, 54, was only appointed Tunisia coach in January but endured a difficult spell in charge. During his short tenure, he managed just one victory in five matches, a narrow 1-0 win against Haiti.
The crushing defeat to Sweden has left Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages hanging by a thread.
The Carthage Eagles now face crucial Group F fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands, with Renard tasked with reviving their World Cup ambitions.
Tunisia will take on Japan on Saturday before concluding their group-stage campaign against the Netherlands in what could determine their fate at the tournament.
Edo Queens have been crowned champions of the 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Premiership following a determined 0–0 draw against Bayelsa Queens in the final matchday of the Super Six playoffs at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Sunday.
Bayelsa Queens entered the decisive fixture needing an outright victory to secure the title, while Edo Queens required only a draw. The Benin-based side executed their game plan with discipline in a tightly contested encounter that saw both teams create chances but ultimately cancel each other out.
The result sealed a second NWFL Premiership crown for Edo Queens, reaffirming their status as one of the dominant forces in Nigerian women’s football. It also places them alongside Bayelsa Queens as the only clubs to have won the league twice within the last six seasons.
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Head coach Moses Aduku further etched his name in the competition’s history, becoming the first manager to win three NWFL Premiership titles in six seasons. He previously guided Bayelsa Queens to the title in 2022 before leading Edo Queens to triumphs in 2024 and 2026.
Elsewhere on Matchday 5, Nasarawa Amazons and hosts Rivers Angels played out a goalless draw, while FC Robo Queens came from behind to secure a 1–1 draw against Abia Angels.
Final standings saw Edo Queens top the Super Six table with 10 points, finishing two points ahead of Bayelsa Queens in second place, with Nasarawa Amazons completing the top three. Abia Angels ended their debut campaign with six points, while FC Robo Queens and Rivers Angels finished on four points apiece.
The individual accolades saw FC Robo Queens’ Oluwakemi Adegbuyi named Player of the Season, while Abia Angels’ Fatima Oloko picked up Goalkeeper of the Season. Abasiofon Uwah (Rivers Angels) and Atume Doosuur (Edo Queens) shared the Golden Boot with 13 goals each, and Rivers Angels were awarded the Fair Play Prize.
As champions, Edo Queens will represent Nigeria at the WAFU-B Women’s Champions League qualifiers in Burkina Faso from August 13 to September 5, where they will aim to secure qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League and a potential pathway to the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.
The grand finale was attended by key dignitaries including NFF board member Aisha Falode, former board member Barr. Chris Green, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Peter Akpe, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Daniel Igali, Edo State Sports Commission Chairman Desmond Enabulele, NFF Director of Competitions Ruth David, and Bendel Insurance Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe.
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