Argentine police raided national football headquarters and several top clubs Tuesday, in a sweeping money-laundering probe just months before the world champions defend their title.

Messi notched a pair of assists as Inter Miami captured their first MLS Cup title with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps. Messi, who also was named the MLS Cup MVP, set up Rodrigo de Paul in the 71st minute and Tadeo Allende in second-half stoppage time.

"This is the the moment that I've been waiting for, and that we as a team have been waiting for," Messi, named MLS Cup Most Valuable Player, said afterwards.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said the world champions will stick to the same winning formula that delivered glory at the Qatar 2022 World Cup after on Friday finding out their group opponents for next year's global tournament.

Reigning champions Argentina will face Algeria, Austria and first-time qualifiers Jordan in their 2026 World Cup group, according to the draw made in Washington on Friday.

As well as the 2014 World Cup final, Mueller's wins over Messi include Bayern Munich's 8-2 humiliation of Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2020.

Miami will host the winner of the Western Conference final, which is being played between San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps later on Saturday.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano lavished praise on Messi and his team-mates after a performance he described as near-perfection.

UEFA has given Barcelona the go-ahead to play Champions League matches at their partially rebuilt Camp Nou stadium, the La Liga giants said on Wednesday.

Football icon Lionel Messi created the first goal and scored the second as world champions Argentina beat Angola 2-0 in an international friendly in Luanda on Friday.

The president, who was in charge at the time of Messi's departure, said he did not regret what happened because "Barca is above everything".

Reflecting on what another World Cup would mean, Messi called it “special.”

Argentina and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi said on Monday he had visited the renovated Camp Nou and hoped for a return one day to say his "goodbye".

In total, Messi’s assists span Barcelona (269), Argentina (60), Paris Saint-Germain (34), and Inter Miami (37).

Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi ensured Miami would avoid a third first-round exit in four seasons.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has called him up for the national team’s friendly against Angola on November 14, even as Inter Miami remain engaged in the MLS playoffs.

Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez will be suspended for Saturday's MLS winner-take-all playoff match against Nashville after kicking an opponent in last weekend's loss to the same team.

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed he plans to retire "soon" as the Portugal and Al Nassr star prepares for a tearful end to his glittering career.

The upcoming interview adds a fresh spark to a rivalry that has defined modern football, dividing fans and pundits alike for nearly two decades.

Lionel Messi conjured another moment of brilliance in the 90th minute when his sumptuous left-footed curler found the corner in Inter Miami’s 2-1 loss to Nashville SC on Saturday, levelling their first-round MLS Cup playoff series at 1-1 after Miami’s 3-1 win in the first leg on October 25. The strike was Messi’s 749th with his famed left foot -- nearly 84 percent of his career total -- taking his overall tally to 892 as he closes in on the 900-goal mark. In contrast, his long-time rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, now on 952 goals, has scored 182 goals (19.1 percent of his career total) with his weaker left foot. With 892 goals in 1,132 appearances, Messi looks set to reach the 900-mark faster than Ronaldo, who took 1236 games. Photo: Reuters