🇦🇷 BREAKING: Inter Miami is nearing a deal to sign winger Tadeo Allende on a permanent deal from Celta Vigo, sources say. Allende won’t be a DP as deal currently planned. Reporting with @paultenorio.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

If you were thinking about preordering THE MESSI EFFECT, now is the time! Barnes & Noble Rewards and Premium Members get 25% off all pre-orders from 12/30 - 1/1 using code PREORDER25! Premium Members get an additional 10% off! Preorder your copy now! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-messi-...

The furor over 2026 World Cup ticket prices raised a fascinating question: How did sports tickets get so expensive in the United States — all while remaining relatively modest in the UK, Europe & elsewhere? Spoke to economists, sports execs, etc. for answers @theathletic.com:

#USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams has a torn MCL and will be out 2-3 months. Not ideal, but that puts him back around late-March, on late end, which means he should have about two months to get back into shape and back into form. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

My opinion: this makes sense. RBNY vs DCU and Cali Clásico don’t go away, they just move to once a year. Geographically this would be the right call.

Sources: All info on new divisions in MLS in future... - 5 divisions, six teams each - San Jose not with California teams - D.C. United not with Northeast teams Likely plan, but not 100% confirmed yet. Playoff proposals too With @tombogert.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

We talked to @paultenorio.bsky.social about his book “The Messi Effect” and what it could mean for the Sounders. www.sounderatheart.com/2025/12/chat...

News: FIFA, amid backlash to World Cup ticket prices, has carved out ~1,000 tickets per game to sell for $60 to supporters. More details and context @theathleticfc.bsky.social:

👀 that’s a long time. Let’s see if Reyna is turning the corner health-wise.

MLS says record audience tunes in to see Lionel Messi lift MLS Cup. About 1.277 million in linear across U.S. and Canada, though Nielsen is reviewing its larger data set before releasing a final number. MLS says 4.6+ million total including Apple: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim puts it bluntly: "There are interested parties who want to take the Whitecaps out of Vancouver... Let's just call it what it is. There's probably absolutely no path for the Vancouver Whitecaps to remain in Vancouver without this MOU." #VWFC

🇦🇷 Lionel Messi officially named 2025 MLS MVP 🏆 Messi becomes the first player in league history to win the award in back-to-back seasons. ⚽️ Messi had 29g/19a in 28 regular season matches. 48 goal contributions in 2,420 mins (one per 50 mins) www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

Very grateful to @totalsoccershow.bsky.social and @taylorrockwell.bsky.social for giving me the chance to chat about The Messi Effect and the story it tells, and also dive into the process of reporting and writing the book. shows.acast.com/total-soccer...

This will be a must read for any MLS fan.

Lionel Messi's win yesterday cemented his on-field legacy in MLS. He's delivered on nearly every level from the sporting and commercial side. But my book, The Messi Effect, dives deeper into what his lasting legacy will be in American soccer. Preorder it now! read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...

Inside the making of the 2026 World Cup schedule, the most complex ever... ⚽ a years-long process, then a 12-hour sprint in the Kennedy Center's River Pavilion ⚽ simulations, weather data, countless variables It all came together in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Here's how:

FORT LAUDERDALE — Even the greatest player of all time needs a touch of luck. On MLS Cup, another double (triple?) post situation, winning in moments and, yes, a hint of good fortune. "It’s the luck you need to be champions," Javier Mascherano said. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Lionel Messi's win yesterday cemented his on-field legacy in MLS. He's delivered on nearly every level from the sporting and commercial side. But my book, The Messi Effect, dives deeper into what his lasting legacy will be in American soccer. Preorder it now! read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...

Lionel Messi's MLS Cup ended one era at Inter Miami and ushered in a new future for the club, which will open its new stadium with a star above its crest. Can it also will MLS into a new future? As Jorge Mas told me on the field after the win: "It ain't over." www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

After the 2026 World Cup draw was made, the schedulers got to work — and @henrybushnell.bsky.social explains the logistical chicanery. ▪️ Cramming 104 games into 39 days ▪️ The challenges of having three host countries - and the air travel ▪️ Disparate climates ▪️ Timezones and TV requirements

🚨 David Beckham becomes 1st person to win MLS as player & owner after Inter Miami beat Vancouver Whitecaps in #MLSCupFinal. “One of greatest moments in my career” 50yo tells @theathleticfc.bsky.social. Messi-inspired #InterMiamiCF champions only 6 seasons post-launch www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

While you all enjoy an MLS Cup halftime beverage, you should click this link and preorder my book!

Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller have had history rather than a real rivalry. Ahead of their meeting in the MLS Cup Final, a look back at two very different kinds of greatness. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Beautiful work, Paul. Context is everything. This makes me deeply appreciate Pochettino as a coach going into this #WorldCup. #USMNT #ItsAboutFailure

#USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino’s own World Cup scars from 2002 failure colors what he preaches to this team. “This is the most unbelievable event and the most unbelievable feeling that you can have. Put everything.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Blown away by the scale, breadth and quality of @theathletic.com's World Cup draw coverage. Team guides, host city guides, group analysis, live reporting, scene, so much more. (And @tombogert.bsky.social, @paultenorio.bsky.social + others somehow still managed to set the stage for MLS Cup today!)

Paul is a legend and this book will be excellent. Can’t wait to read!

The #USMNT got a best-case draw. It should build a bonfire under the belief Mauricio Pochettino has tried to foster over the last year. Fans should be excited. But the U.S. has to go live up to it now. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

For those who think it's just a Messi in Miami book, please listen to this pod first! (And then go preorder!!)

I got excited about it after hearing the soccer wise interview. Going to listen to the total soccer show as well. It's cool that you're able to present it in this way.

Thanks so much! Also plenty BTS of the league itself and decisions its stakeholders are making about next steps and why!

I had Australia as one of the best-case scenarios for the U.S. out of Pot 2. And that's who they get! Definitely favorable for the Americans.

If the #USMNT wins Group D and Belgium wins Group G, they would be on a collision course in the Round of 16 (if they win their respective Round of 32 knockout games).

I am thrilled to announce my book, The Messi Effect, comes out June 9 and is available now for preorder. This book takes you behind the scenes of Messi in Miami, and into the MLS boardroom as owners debate how to grow in a fast-evolving American soccer landscape. read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi...

The Whitecaps will try to win MLS Cup on Saturday. They'll fly back to Vancouver not knowing their future in the city. “Keeping the Whitecaps in the city of Vancouver is more important than the World Cup,” said Victor Montagliani. With @joshuakloke.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

MLS CUP IS ALMOST HERE 🚨 What better way to preview than having @paultenorio.bsky.social join @empiregass.bsky.social & @tombogert.bsky.social for a special episode 🎉

#USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has "zero stress" headed into tomorrow's World Cup draw. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

To kick off World Cup Draw week @theathletic.com... I talked to various stars & masterminds of the 1994 draw — from a supermodel to Sepp Blatter — to tell the story of a "bizarre," "surreal" Vegas spectacle that, as Blatter told me, "will never be matched":

Took a crack at the best, worst and most interesting potential World Cup groups for the #USMNT. What do @henrybushnell.bsky.social and I see as the group of death? The best possible path? www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Talk about competition for #USMNT roster spots: Weah (assist), McKennie (goal) and Tillman all performing well in Champions League today. Pulisic goal in the derby on the weekend. Weah and Tillman also scored this weekend. This is what Pochettino wants to see.

Sources: Celtic finalizing deal to name Wilfried Nancy their next manager. Columbus Crew will get compensation. Now, Crew need to find new head coach. W/ @paultenorio.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

After a huge win, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas went into the locker room with a simple message: “Dos mas.” Two more wins is all the club are focused on. The road to MLS Cup goes through South Florida. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Son vs Müller lived up to the hype in an MLS instant classic as the fight of Vancouver stole the show in the final minutes of the game. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Son vs Müller lived up to the hype in an MLS instant classic as the fight of Vancouver stole the show in the final minutes of the game. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

On the field, Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller are superstars. Off the field, they’re genuine, down to earth and a pair of jokesters. On group chat banter, training ground pranks, acts of kindness and more ahead of tomorrow’s sold-out playoff match. www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

Taking another shot at Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup with @henrybushnell.bsky.social. Some new names on this version... www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

The 2026 MLS schedule is out: * Son vs Messi opening night at LA Coliseum * 7-week World Cup break (should've flipped for '26!) * Uninterrupted playoffs * MORE details www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

The USMNT's 2026 schedule is nearly set: ⚽️ pre-World Cup camp in Atlanta, May friendly on East Coast 🇩🇪 Sendoff game in Chicago vs. Germany 🇧🇪🇵🇹 March friendlies confirmed @HenryBushnell and I outline the squad's path to the World Cup: www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

Last night's win over Uruguay speaks to the depth and belief Mauricio Pochettino has instilled up and down the #USMNT. In his words: “Let’s be realistic,” Pochettino told the team. “And do the impossible.” Reviewing the last year and the progress. www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

It's a crucial first offseason in charge for New York Red Bulls head of sport Julian de Guzman - Head coaching search... where Michael Bradley is in the mix - DP spot... where Timo Werner is NOT in the mix - Identity/tactical shift to "playing more football" www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...