The goal was Messi's 20th in MLS play, one behind league leader Sam Surridge of Nashville SC.

Lionel Messi's Panenka penalty miss in Inter Miami's 3-0 defeat against Charlotte FC in an MLS encounter on Saturday reignited comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Inter Miami suffered a 3-0 defeat against Charlotte FC in an MLS game at the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night after Lionel Messi’s attempted Panenka penalty was saved by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.

Inter Miami star Luis Suarez has been handed a six-match suspension for his actions following last weekend's stormy Leagues Cup final defeat to the Seattle Sounders, tournament disciplinary chiefs said on Friday.

Officials will have plenty to sort through after multiple scuffles broke out, but Suarez's controversial history places him firmly under scrutiny.

Lionel Messi scored twice late on as Inter Miami fought back to beat Orlando City 3-1 and reach the final of the Leagues Cup on Wednesday.

Lionel Messi's status for Inter Miami's Leagues Cup semifinal against Orlando City will be a game-day decision after the Argentine star trained with his teammates, the MLS squad announced Tuesday.

Messi, who has battled a "minor" muscle injury since a Leagues Cup group match on August 2, returned Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Lionel Messi is ready to return for Inter Miami when they host the Los Angeles Galaxy in a Major League Soccer clash that will launch a key stretch for the Florida club, coach Javier Mascherano said Friday.

Lionel Messi will miss Inter Miami's Major League soccer clash with Florida rivals Orlando on Sunday as he continues to recover from a "minor" muscle injury, coach Javier Mascherano said Saturday.

Rodrigo de Paul produced his first goal in a Miami jersey to pull the Herons level just before halftime.

The 38-year-old Argentine legend suffered an upper right leg injury early in Miami's penalty-kicks home win over Mexico's Necaxa on Saturday in a Leagues Cup match.

The 38-year-old Argentine superstar forward appeared to be having treatment on his upper right leg or groin before making his exit under his own power and walking to the locker room.

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano is optimistic that Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi will extend his stay at the club.

For Messi, who embraced close friend De Paul and Suárez after the winner, the emotional celebration reflected his enduring joy for the game—even at 38.

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

Lionel Messi was left disappointed after he and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for skipping Major League Soccer’s (MLS) All-Star Game last Wednesday, and Inter Miami co-owner fears the decision may affect their efforts to keep the World Cup winner at the club beyond this year.

Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber refused to be drawn on whether the league planned to sanction Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami and Argentina superstar was a late withdrawal from Wednesday's All-Star game.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba could face a suspension after withdrawing from Major League Soccer's All-Star game, multiple US media reports said on Wednesday.

Messi increased his total goals in MLS games to 18 this season and has contributed on 27 scores.