Tag Archives: Campeones Cup

Lionel Messi Scores Historic 100th Goal for Inter Miami

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Lionel Messi has reached a new milestone in Major League Soccer play.

The 39-year-old Argentine soccer superstar scored his 100th goal for Inter Miami in all competitions after heading home the opener against visiting Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup on Wednesday night at Nu Stadium.

Lionel MessiThe goal put Miami up 1-0 in the annual match between the champion of MLS and Liga MX.

Messi, a FIFA World Cup winner in 2022, reached the milestone in only 114 games for Inter Miami, marking the quickest Messi has recorded 100 goals for any team he has represented.

He previously reached the mark with Barcelona in 188 games and 174 games with Argentina.

Since joining Miami in 2023, Messi has 76 goals in MLS, 14 in Leagues Cup action, eight in the Concacaf Champions Cup and one at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Messi made an instant impact in south Florida since signing with Miami, leading the Herons to the 2023 Leagues Cuptitle just weeks after marking his debut against Cruz Azul — the team against which he scored his first Miami goal.

The Inter Miami captain also guided the team to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield — setting the record for most points (74) in an MLS season — and starred in the playoffs during a run to the 2025 MLS Cup title.

Messi has now scored 929 goals for club and country during his career and leads MLS with 19 goals in 22 games so far this season.

Atlanta United Trade Franco Escobar to Los Angeles FC (LAFC)

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Franco Escobar is headed west…

The 26-year-old Argentine professional footballer has been traded by Atlanta United to Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in exchange for $250,000 in General Allocation Money for the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with the possibility of another $350,000 in future revenue, plus a percentage of any future transfer fee should LAFC sell the defender to a team outside the league.

Franco Escobar

Escobar spent the last season on loan with Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina. The MLS half-day trade window opened Sunday. Teams can resume trading after Tuesday’s expansion draft.

Escobar joined Atlanta United before the 2018 season after being procured from Newell’s for less than $600,000. He made 63 appearances in regular season games and eight in the playoffs for the Five Stripes.

He scored five goals, including three in the playoffs, with six assists. He started and helped the club win the MLS Cup in 2018, scoring the second goal in the 2-0 win, and Campeones Cup and came on as a late sub in the U.S. Open Cup in 2019.

Escobar was versatile, playing as a centerback, right wingback or fullback for managers Gerardo Martino, Frank de Boer and Stephen Glass. Escobar also had trouble controlling his energy, which was frequently directed at referees. He received 26 yellow cards and one red card. Because of suspensions and injuries, he never appeared in more than 25 games in a season.

Trading Escobar on Sunday means the club will not have to protect him with one of its 12 available slots in the expansion draft. It may also be considered a good piece of business because had they not protected Escobar, and Charlotte selected him, Atlanta United would have received just $50,000 in General Allocation Money.

The trade also frees a spot on Atlanta United’s senior roster. Escobar didn’t occupy an International slot. He had a guaranteed salary of $450,000 last season, according to the MLSPA salary guide. With the trade, Atlanta United has 27 players on a 30-man roster.

Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez Headed to Saudi Pro League’s Al-Nassr FC

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Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez is headed to the Middle East…

Atlanta United FC have transferred the 27-year-old Argentine soccer player, an MLS All-Star midfielder, to Al-Nassr FC of the Saudi Pro League.

Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez

The transfer fee wasn’t disclosed. The transaction opens a designed player spot and an international spot on United’s 2020 roster.

Martinez tallied two goals and two assists in seven MLS matches this season. He added two goals and two assists in three games in Champions League competition.

In his first season with Atlanta in 2019, he was named an MLS All-Star with five goals and nine assists and helped the team win the U.S. Open Cup and the Campeones Cup.

“We want to thank Pity for his contributions to our club for the past two years,” said Atlanta United vice president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra. “He will forever be a part of Atlanta United’s history after playing an integral part in our 2019 season in which we lifted two trophies. We’ll look to be diligent in our efforts to fill that roster spot during this window.”

The native of Argentina transferred from River Plate and joined Atlanta as a designated player on January 24, 2019.