Messi’s limp shows he’s far from return
Piastri gets his 1st F1 win after team orders
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Lionel Messi smiled and waved to adoring fans during a celebration Saturday before Inter Miami's 2-1 win over Chicago Fire FC to honor his latest Copa America title.
Messi stood near Inter Miami coowner Jorge Mas as a video filled with highlights from his illustrious career was shown inside Chase Stadium. They stood on a custom mat, with “Lionel Messi 45 titles,” covering the center circle of the pitch.
“Tonight, we celebrate a great milestone of our captain Leo Messi in becoming the footballer who has lifted the most trophies in the history of this sport,” Mas said.
“And I am sure he won't stop at 45. We hope he can lift many more in the future.”
No player has won more titles for club and country.
No player has celebrated more success in the sport's history.
However, this celebration was brief and somber. And the quest to Messi's 46th title is on standby.
Messi slowly limped to and from midfield, wearing a walking boot on his injured right ankle.
He wasn't inclined to say a few words, allowing his smiles and waves to speak for him.
Every step he took was a reminder of the awkward play that caused his right ankle to twist inside, swelling to the size of a softball, as he wept on Argentina's bench in the second half of the Copa America final before victory.
It was also a telling barometer of just how soon Messi will return from injury: It might not be soon at all.
Messi's ankle will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said earlier this week.
Martino was mum about Messi's status after the game, including his potential to miss the MLS All-Star game this week.
The way Messi walked showed could be a month-to-month affair.
The bad news: Leagues Cup begins next Saturday, and Messi will likely be unavailable to help Inter Miami defend its title (the 44th of his career). it
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi acknowledges fans before a match between against the Chicago Fire FC on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The tournament is a five-week dash with a final set for Aug. 25. It might not be enough recovery time for Messi to make his return.
The good news: Inter Miami is in tremendous shape for the rest of the MLS season, and a playoff run where homefield advantage and less travel for Messi could also play its parts.
Inter Miami has won six of seven matches without Messi since Copa America began, adding another on Saturday thanks to goals by Matias Rojas in the sixth minute and Jordi Alba in the 75th minute in a 2-1 win over Chicago.
“We tried to put together a team where we could hide the absences, especially Leo's absence,” Martino said of squad. “And well, I think, in that sense, the guys who had to take charge have given very good (performances).”
Inter Miami has 53 points after the Chicago match, and a first-place lead in the MLS Eastern Conference strengthened with two wins and two losses by second-place Cincinnati this week.
If Inter Miami failed to gain another point, they likely could still qualify for the MLS playoffs.
The 50-point threshold alone would be good for at least a Top 7 seed in each of the last three seasons, and MLS playoffs welcome nine teams from each conference into the postseason.
Not only has Inter Miami won without Messi, they're on prime footing to continue competing for a top playoff seed in anticipation for his return.
Seeing Messi raise another trophy this year would be a sight to see.
But just seeing Messi return to action – when he's not injured, crying or limping – would be good enough for his legion of adoring fans.
Inter Miami (16 wins, four losses, five draws) is in first in the Supporters' Shield Standings with 53 points (two points ahead of the team in first place). The club also leads MLS with 56 goals.
The Leagues Cup begins Saturday, with matches between MLS and LIGA MX clubs, all live streamed on Apple TV.
Inter Miami will host Puebla on Saturday in Chase Stadium, and face Tigres UANL on Aug. 3 at NRG Stadium in Houston in the first two games of Leagues Cup.
BUDAPEST – Australian Oscar Piastri took his first Formula One win in a McLaren one-two at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday after Lando Norris reluctantly handed back the lead on team orders three laps from the end on an afternoon of high drama.
Lewis Hamilton took third for Mercedes, his 200th Formula One podium coming despite a late collision with Red Bull's championship leader Max Verstappen, who came off worse and finished fifth. “Very, very special. This is really the day I dreamed of as a kid, standing on the top step of an F1 podium,” Piastri said before the ceremonies.
“Obviously, a bit complicated at the end, but I put myself in the right position at the start, and thank you to the team for an amazing effort and an amazing car.”
He apologized over the radio at the checkered flag for it being more “painful” than necessary.
The fifth Australian to win a grand prix seized the lead from pole-sitter Norris at the start as Verstappen took second with a short-cut after being forced wide.
Verstappen had to give the place back as stewards' investigated and Piastri was ahead until Norris came in for his second stop to cover against Hamilton, with Piastri staying out and losing out.
McLaren told Norris to re-establish the order “at his convenience” with more than 20 laps remaining but the gap between only grew larger and the Briton showed no sign of complying.
“I know you'll do the right thing,” Norris was told with 14 laps to go after the team repeated that they wanted Piastri to win. “Well you should have pitted him first,” he replied.
“Lando, he can't catch you up. You've proved your point,” the Briton was told when he moved six seconds clear with six laps remaining.
“The way to win a championship is not by yourself. You're going to need Oscar, and you're going to need the team,” Norris was told, before eventually complying.