Argentina captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni blamed the condition of the pitch at the Monumental Stadium of Maturin after their 1-1 draw against Venezuela in a South American Qualifiers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.

More than 11 million fans have flocked to Major League Soccer games this season, the league said Monday, breaking the previous record of 10.9 millions fans who attended games in 2024.

Miami started with all their big-name stars, including Lionel Messi, on the bench but the Argentine was introduced in the 61st minute to the delight of many in the Toronto crowd.

Expecting massive fan interest, MLS announced Thursday that the opener will be livestreamed for free on Apple TV and aired as it happens on the gargantuan 25,000-square-foot video screen at Times Square in New York.

Messi had been subdued until the 45th minute when he put Inter ahead -- chesting down a long ball into the box and getting a lucky bounce off Crew defender Malte Amundsen before poking home.

Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer club Inter Miami, was left out of Argentina's squad for their World Cup Qualifiers against Chile and Colombia in August due to the injury which he sustained during the Copa America final.

Messi tied Saturday's match in the 67th minute when he lasered a shot from beyond the box that evaded diving Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina to make it 1-1.

Inter Miami's charge towards Major League Soccer's single-season points record suffered a setback on Saturday after a last-gasp injury-time equalizer from James Sands snatched a 1-1 draw for New York City FC against the Eastern Conference leaders.

The Argentinian superstar Messi came close to a game-clinching goal in the 83rd, but his angled effort was blocked by Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan and Suarez's attempt to tap in the rebound was also denied.

The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner hadn't played since injuring his right ankle during the Copa America final on July 14, when he helped Argentina to victory over Colombia.

Lionel Messi is set to return to action with his club Inter Miami on Saturday after spending over two months out with an ankle injury, Miami coach Gerardo Martino said on Friday.

Is Ronaldo’s stance a sign that he’s moved on, or just another chapter in the rivalry between him and Messi?

Coach Lionel Scaloni will present a team without captain Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria after a long time. The two significant absences force the World Cup winning coach to think about a renewed composition of the national team.

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, was seemingly hacked on Wednesday, with tweets claiming Cristiano Ronaldo to be better than Lionel Messi and many more being posted. 

"There were specific drills that we devised that would allow him a certain level of participation," coach Tata Martino told the outlet. "But he still does not have medical clearance (to play)."

The reigning world champions will also be without Angel Di Maria after the veteran winger's international retirement.

Luis Suarez struck twice as ten-man Inter Miami became the first team to book their place in this season's Major League Soccer playoffs after beating Cincinnati 2-0 at Chase Stadium on Saturday.

Messi, 37, has been away from the team since he suffered a high-ankle injury on July 14 playing for Argentina against Colombia in the Copa America final.

Scaloni's charges are set to clash against Chile on 6 September before taking on Colombia on 10 September.

Diego Rossi's two second-half goals launched the reigning MLS champion Columbus Crew over defending champion Inter Miami 3-2 to reach the Leagues Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.