United News of Bangladesh

Injury concerns surrounding some of football’s biggest stars, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, had raised doubts ahead of the FIFA World Cup, but all three have been named in their national squads for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. While several leading players have recovered in time to make the competition, others have been ruled out due to injury. France striker Hugo Ekitike will miss the World Cup after suffering an Achilles injury in April that is expected to keep him sidelined for more than six months. Brazil will be without Rodrygo and Éder Militão, while Germany forward Serge Gnabry has also been ruled out after sustaining an adductor injury in training. Messi sparked concern last month when he left the field injured while playing for Inter Miami CF. Although he has been included in Argentina’s squad as the defending champions seek to retain their title, it remains unclear whether he has fully recovered from what was described as muscle fatigue. Spain’s teenage sensation Yamal also faced a fitness scare after missing the closing weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. "I remember the play in which I got injured," he said. "I was praying inside for it not to be serious, for it to be a cramp or something like that, because I knew the World Cup was very close." The growing number of injuries has renewed concerns about the demands placed on players amid an increasingly crowded football calendar. The expanded World Cup follows the enlarged Club World Cup and recent changes to the UEFA Champions League format. Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal FC, recently described the workload facing players as “an accident waiting to happen.” Among the notable absentees are Argentina's Joaquín Panichelli, England defender Ben White, Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons, Spain's Fermín López, Scotland's Billy Gilmour and several United States internationals, including Cameron Carter-Vickers, Patrick Agyemang and Johnny Cardoso. Some players remain fitness concerns despite making their squads. Argentina defender Cristian Romero is recovering from a knee injury, while Canada captain Alphonso Davies is racing to recover from a hamstring problem ahead of his team's opening match. Croatia veteran Luka Modrić returned to action after suffering a cheekbone injury earlier this year, while defender Joško Gvardiol has recovered from a broken leg and is set to feature at the tournament. Meanwhile, United States midfielder Gio Reyna heads into the World Cup after limited playing time at club level. US coach Mauricio Pochettino backed the midfielder's inclusion, saying: "He can help because he's a different player, different talent, and I think in all the roster you need to have a player like him."

Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa have been included in the final FIFA World Cup squad lists released on Tuesday, featuring a record 1,248 players from 48 nations. The veteran trio are set to appear in the tournament for a record sixth time, according to FIFA. Out of the total players named for the tournament, 357 have previous World Cup experience, while around 891 will be making their debut on football’s biggest stage. The tournament, featuring 104 matches across Canada, the United States and Mexico, also highlights a significant age range among players. Scotland’s Craig Gordon is the oldest at 43 years and 162 days, while Mexico’s Gilberto Mora, aged 17 years and 240 days, is among 22 players under 20. Seven players in total are aged 40 or above. Four countries- Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan — will be making their World Cup debut. FIFA rules allow squad changes only in cases of serious injury or illness up to 24 hours before a team’s first match, with any exceptions requiring approval from the governing body.

A rookie card featuring Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has been sold for a record-breaking $1.5 million in a private transaction, making it the most valuable soccer card ever sold. This new record surpasses the previous one held by a card of Brazilian legend Pele. According to Goldin Auctions, the card, a 2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks PSA 10, was sold through Fanatics Collect’s private sales network. This sale tops a similar card that sold for $1.1 million earlier this week in a deal also facilitated by Goldin. The previous record for a soccer card was set in 2022 when a 1958 Alifabolaget Pele PSA 9 sold privately for $1.33 million, according to Card Ladder. This latest record is part of a series of high-value sales for this specific Messi rookie card. Just last month, a different PSA 10-graded version of the card sold for $1 million through Fanatics Collect, a global digital sports platform that trades cards and collectibles. Prior to that, another copy sold for $825,000 at Goldin. The record for the card before August was reportedly $336,000, set in June 021. Messi scores twice in emotional farewell match for Argentina The sale marks a major milestone for Fanatics Collect's new private sales network, which is designed for high-value transactions of $10,000 or more. According to a source from Fanatics who spoke with ESPN, the network generated roughly $8 million in sales from 30 to 40 transactions during its first full month in August. Out of the 838 copies of the No. 71 Messi card that PSA has graded, only 20 have received the highest possible grade of Gem-Mint 10, making them extremely rare and valuable. The record-breaking $1.5 million card also includes a special “Mike Baker Authenticated Diamond” certification, which signifies its exceptional condition.

Lionel Messi, one of the most iconic figures in global football, is set to add another memorable chapter to his storied career this time, in the heart of Cleveland. Inter Miami’s matchup against Columbus Crew will take place at Cleveland’s NFL venue, Huntington Bank Stadium, marking the first time the Crew will host a Major League Soccer match outside of Columbus. The unique setting, better known for the Cleveland Browns’ raucous “Dawg Pound,” will instead be filled with passionate Crew fans as Messi takes center stage. The opportunity came thanks to the Haslam Sports Group, which owns both the Browns and the Crew. Since acquiring the MLS club in 2019, the Haslams have held the option of staging a match in Cleveland, and the Messi effect made this the perfect moment. “This is a unique moment in time with Messi where we can fill the building and ensure that the first experience Northeast Ohio has with the Columbus Crew is in a packed house,” said Josh Glessing, the Crew’s president of business operations. This will be Messi’s 11th MLS game played in an NFL stadium since he joined Inter Miami in 2023 after guiding Argentina to a World Cup triumph in 2022. These matches have proven to be major draws, averaging more than 61,000 fans. Last year’s clash between Inter Miami and Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium drew a massive 72,610 fans—far surpassing typical MLS attendance figures. The Crew hopes to break their own single-game attendance record of 31,550, set in 1996 at Ohio Stadium. MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana said Messi’s presence is doing more than selling tickets—it’s building lasting enthusiasm for the sport. “The impact Messi has on MLS and soccer in the U.S. is clear. But there’s also a long-term legacy being created that people are just starting to recognize,” Durana said. Northeast Ohio isn’t new to soccer. The Cleveland Force of the 1980s was one of indoor soccer’s biggest draws, and the region continues to foster talent at the youth and collegiate levels. The University of Akron's soccer program remains one of the most successful in the nation, having produced multiple MLS players, including current Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe. Cleveland nearly landed a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team, and while that bid fell short, a new local group has announced plans to join the WPSL Pro—a Division II league considered a pipeline to the NWSL. This game also has serious on-field significance. It’s a battle between the last two unbeaten teams in MLS. Columbus Crew (5-0-3) lead the Eastern Conference with 18 points, while Inter Miami (4-0-3), with one game in hand, trails just behind in fourth. Messi has already tallied three goals and two assists in four matches this season. For Cleveland native Sean Zawadzki, a midfielder for the Crew, the match has extra meaning. “It’s a dream come true,” Zawadzki said. “I grew up cheering for teams at this stadium. To play here in front of family, friends, and fans in my hometown—it’s something I’ll never forget.” With high stakes, record-breaking expectations, and the Messi factor in full effect, Saturday’s match in Cleveland promises to be a landmark moment for Ohio soccer.    

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time since Lionel Messi joined the team, playing a scoreless draw with Nashville on Wednesday night. Messi failed to convert two free kick attempts in his first Major League Soccer match at home, and it was the first time during his Inter Miami tenure that he was kept off the score sheet. Read: Messi violates MLS media rules by not speaking with reporters after debut Inter Miami still earned a point in the standings as it looks to make a late-season playoff push. Miami entered the game 11 points shy of the MLS playoff line and needing to move up from 14th to ninth place to make the playoffs. Miami had won its previous nine matches as Messi's addition gave the team an immediate boost. He has scored 10 goals, including three multi-goal performances. Messi started the game Wednesday along with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets after the two entered Miami's previous match against the New York Red Bulls in the 60th minute. Miami had no shots on goal Wednesay through the first 60 minutes as the team struggled to break through Nashville's defense. Messi attempted a free kick in the 60th minute after drawing a foul on Nashville's Dax McCarty, but the shot to the bottom-left corner was stopped by Elliot Panicco. Still, Inter Miami fans took out their phones to record the free kick, just in case the seven-time Ballon d'Or delivered another goal similar to the one in his debut — when he scored in the 94th minute to give Miami a win over Mexican Club Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup opener. Read: Messi converts PK, assists on 2 goals, leading Miami past MLS-best Cincinnati in US Open Cup semi Nahsville's Hany Mukhtar had a goal erased by an offside call in the 69th minute. Messi got another chance in the 83rd minute, but the shot bounced off the wall of defenders. The two teams met 10 days ago in the Leagues Cup final. Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks, and Miami won after an 11-round penalty kick shootout for its first ever trophy. Read: Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final Messi and Inter Miami players posed with co-owner Jorge Mas on the field Wednesday with the Leagues Cup trophy for the first time in front of their home fans.

Lionel Messi had two assists and converted a penalty kick as Inter Miami rallied from a two-goal deficit and beat MLS-leading Cincinnati 5-4 in penalties in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Wednesday night. Cincinnati jumped to a 2-0 lead before Messi set up a pair of goals by Leonardo Campana, tying the game at 2. Miami moved ahead when Josef Martínez scored three minutes into the first extra period, but Cincinnati tied the game at 3 when Yuya Kubo scored in the 114th minute, forcing penalty kicks. Also read : Messi leads Inter Miami to first ever trophy in Leagues Cup final Messi made Miami's first attempt in the shootout, and both teams were perfect through four rounds. Herons goalkeeper Drake Callender saved Nick Hagglund's kick in the fifth round, and Benjamin Cremaschi made his PK to send Miami to another tournament final. Miami advanced to face the winner of Wednesday's late semifinal between Houston and Salt Lake in the final in Sept. 27. Also read : Messi scores early in 1st game outside Florida for Inter Miami at FC Dallas Messi was held scoreless for the first time since joining Inter Miami in late July. His first assist of the game was on a free kick in the 68th minute to cut Miami's deficit to 2-1. He delivered a long cross into the box to set up Campana's second goal on a header that sent the game to overtime. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year, had scored 10 goals in his first seven games with Miami, leading the team to the Leagues Cup title. He is set to make his Major League Soccer debut Saturday at the New York Red Bulls. Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez scored the first two goals for Cincinnati. Also read : Lionel Messi set to make his Inter Miami debut in Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul Cincinnati took a 1-0 lead early in the first half on a nifty flick from Acosta, its Argentine No. 10 and captain, who scored his 14th goal across all competition this season off a header from Aaron Boupendza. Vazquez, a U.S. national team forward, doubled Cincinnati's lead in the 53rd minute on a laser from outside the box, off a low cross from former Atletico Madrid and Colombia international defender Santiago Arias.

Lionel Messi was suspended by Paris Saint-Germain for taking a trip to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person would not specify the length of the suspension, though French media reported it to be two weeks. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the matter. A two-week suspension would mean Messi would miss PSG’s next two games. L’Equipe and RMC Sport both reported the suspension without citing sources. Also read: Mbappé can't save slumping PSG in CL loss to Bayern Munich The person told the AP that the World Cup champion won’t be allowed to train or play with the team and won’t be paid during his suspension. PSG had denied Messi’s request to make the trip, the person said. The 35-year-old Messi has a commercial contract with Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in the Middle Eastern country. The suspension comes at a delicate time as the French club had hoped to extend the Argentine star’s contract beyond this season. Messi’s trip followed PSG’s surprise 3-1 loss to Lorient on Sunday, leaving the defending champions with a five-point lead over Marseille with five games left in the season. Messi played the full game. L’Equipe had reported that PSG coach Christophe Galtier pledged to give his players two days off — Monday and Tuesday — if they beat Lorient. Instead, the team trained on Monday and had Tuesday off. The forward joined PSG from Barcelona two years ago on hopes he could lead the team to an elusive Champions League title. Instead, the Qatari-backed club was eliminated in the round of 16 in consecutive seasons. The has been speculation about where he would play next, especially after reports that contract talks with PSG had broken down. Some PSG fans have even booed Messi amid the team’s inconsistent campaign. Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December. He’s scored 15 league goals and leads the French league with 15 assists. Messi hasn’t commented publicly about the suspension on his social media accounts.  

Gunmen left a threatening message Thursday for Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi and opened fire at a supermarket owned by his in-laws in Argentina’s third-largest city, police said. Nobody was injured in the early morning attack, and it was unclear why assailants would target Messi or the Unico supermarket in Rosario, owned by the family of his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo. The city’s mayor, Pablo Javkin, lashed out at federal authorities over what he called their failure to curb a surge in drug-related violence in Rosario, located about 190 miles ( 300 kilometers) northwest of the capital of Buenos Aires. Police said two men on a motorcycle fired at least a dozen shots into an Unico branch in the early hours, and left a message on a piece of carboard that read, “Messi, we’re waiting for you. Javkin is also a drug trafficker, so he won’t take care of you.” Read: Lionel Messi Won The Best FIFA Men's Player Prize For 2022, Records Messi, captain of the national team that won last year’s World Cup for Argentina for the first time in 36 years, has not commented. Messi currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain and spends much of his time overseas, though he often visits Rosario where he has a home in the suburb of Funes. Javkin, a center-left politician in opposition to the ruling Peronist coalition, appeared to throw suspicion of complicity for the attack on both criminal gangs and federal security officials. “I doubt everyone, even those who are supposed to protect us,” Javkin said in an interview with a local radio station. He said the supermarket was in a section of Rosario that has seen frequent crimes, that he has raised the issue in recent meetings with federal and provincial official law enforcement officials, and that no action has been taken. “Where are the ones who need to take care of us?” Javkin said. “It’s clear that those who have the weapons and have the possibility of investigating the criminals aren’t doing it, and it’s very easy for any gang to carry out something like this.”  

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (January 30, 2023) said his Argentine counterpart Santiago Andrés Cafiero will be in Dhaka on a two-day official visit in February – as the two sides want to strengthen ties in the coming days. “I have invited him. He (Argentine foreign minister) will come. I told him to bring Lionel Messi with him,” Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that it will be a plus for Bangladesh if Argentina opens a mission in Bangladesh. Momen said Argentina “in principle agreed” to open its mission or consulate in Dhaka and the government of Bangladesh also has a plan to open a mission in Argentina. Bangladesh has already opened a mission in Brazil. “We hope we will open a Bangladesh mission in Argentina in future,” he said, adding that Bangladesh considers three things – size of Bangladeshi community there, importance of the host country, and flow of remittance into Bangladesh – before opening any mission abroad. Also read: Ambassador Lee visits South Korea-supported innovative ICT-integrated pilot classroom in Dhaka Momen said Argentina is a good friend of Bangladesh and always remains supportive. “We have a very good relationship with Argentina.” “I believe, hearts of the people of Bangladesh and Argentina are united by football, despite our geographical distance,” Momen said in a recent letter to the Argentine foreign minister. He reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to deepen the existing relations and friendship between the two countries. “I look forward to working closely to consolidate our mutual priorities and opening of missions in each other’s capital in the coming days,” he said. Read More World champions Argentina likely to visit Dhaka in next June Homes and streets across Argentina and Bangladesh became places of celebration after an epic World Cup final in which the former’s national team beat France. It was the country’s third World Cup title.

Argentina’s dramatic victory over France in penalty kicks in the World Cup final was the second most-watched soccer match of any kind in the United States. The early numbers from Nielsen, Fox and Telemundo show Sunday’s match had an English- and Spanish-language combined audience of 25,783,000. That trails the 26.7 million that tuned in to the 2015 Women’s World Cup final, when the U.S. beat Japan 5-2 in a match that aired in prime time for most of the United States because the tournament was held in Canada. Fox’s numbers from Sunday should increase when the “match-only” rating is released later Tuesday. The 16,783,000 average released by Fox and Nielsen includes some pre- and post-match coverage. The high viewership comes as the U.S., Canada and Mexico are set to host the 2026 World Cup. Read more: Millions jam Buenos Aires streets to celebrate World Cup win Argentina’s first World Cup title since 1986 was Fox’s most-watched match of the tournament, surpassing the 15,491,000 that watched the Americans 0-0 draw with England during group-stage play on Nov. 25. Sunday’s combined audience was a 31% increase over the 2018 final, which averaged 17.83 million on Fox and Telemundo. Fox’s audience increased 25.5% from four years ago, when France defeated Croatia in the final. Telemundo’s total audience of 9 million is a 65% jump from 2018. Nearly one-third — 2.96 million — streamed Sunday’s match on Peacock and Telemundo’s digital services, which made it the most-streamed World Cup match in U.S. history, regardless of language. By comparison, the 6.04 million who watched on Telemundo was triple the 1.9 million that watched the network’s broadcast of Super Bowl 57 earlier this year. Read more: Argentines erupt in joy after epic World Cup final While the Super Bowl continues to lead championship viewing — this year’s game had a combined audience of 112.3 million — the World Cup final did outdraw other sports. Game 5 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros averaged 12.77 million on Fox, and was the most-viewed game of the six-game series. The series-clinching games of the NBA Finals and NHL’s Stanley Cup finals averaged 13.99 million and 5.8 million, respectively, on ABC.