At 37 Lionel Messi continues to amaze - (Hossein Zohrevand photo)

Lionel Messi breathes new life in America's MLS by signing with Miami - (Photo - ESPN Screen Shot) LIONEL MESSI THINKS PINK

Los Angeles Lakers Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics Larry Bird in Game two of the 1985 NBA Finals at Boston Garden Date 30 May 1985 - Steve Lipofsky www.Basketballphoto.com ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN

SPORTS NOTES - MESSI MAGIC

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

At 37 Lionel Messi continues to amaze. In working his soccer magic he has helped a floundering Inter Miami club to respectability as they reign top of the table in the MLS. Their accomplishment has earned them a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup - Opening Week NBA Games - THIS DAY IN THE NBA - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Sunday October 20, 2024

BUILDING A FRANCHISE

Ya gotta love it. At 37-years-old Lionel Messi is having the time of his life. When the Argentine joined Inter Miami July 15, 2023 they were sitting at the bottom of the table. When he arrived the had instant success and had respectable results. This season the lads in pink are leading the league with a 22-8-4 record.

In the final game of the regular season on October 19 against New England Revolution, Messi scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 6–2 victory. Inter Miami's victory over the Revolution also allowed the club to finish with 74 points throughout the regular season, a league record for MLS.

In 19 matches he registered 20 goals and 16 assists. In doing so, he became Inter Miami's all-time leading goalscorer.

He is capably complimented with the now silver haired SHARK… Luis Suarez who has notched 20 goals along with 9 assists in 27 matches.

The club will compete I FIFA’S Club World Cup. This is a major leap forward for the Inter Miami franchise.

Messi continues to have national team success. In all competition this 2024 season he has six goals in nine appearances.

By scoring a hat-trick in a 2023 friendly against Curaçao saw Messi reach 100 international goals; he became the third player and the first South American in history to achieve this milestone. Later that year, a goal against Peru during a World Cup qualifier saw Messi become the all-time top goalscorer in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. He is the second-highest international goalscorer of all time.

His low profile and career experience maturation make him the perfect teammate for young players to absorb his talent and experience. Many of his teammates weren't born when he began his professional career with Barcelona.

Messi continues to be productive because he loves the game. He could had taken lucrative financial offers but declined. He's said to be worth $650 million he doesn't need the money.

Mr. Dribble has scored 725 goals in 920 all competition appearances. For Argentina he has registered 112 goals in 211 all competition appearances. He captains both Inter Miami and the Argentina national teams. Messi is GOLDEN.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

October 20, 1962 John Havlicek made his debut for the Boston Celtics at home against the New York Knicks. The Celtics won 149-116.

October 20, 1972 The Buffalo Braves scored an NBA-record 58 points in the fourth quarter, but still dropped a 126-118 decision to the Celtics at Boston Garden.

October 20, 1973 Boston pulled down an NBA record 39 offensive rebounds in a game against the Capital Bullets at the Capital Centre, but the Celtics ended up losing the game, 96-87.

October 20, 1976 The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Julius Erving from the New York Nets in exchange for $3 million.

Opening Week NBA Games