Lionel Messi Helps Inter Miami Break Major League Soccer Record for Most Points in Single Season

Posted on October 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lionel Messi has helped Inter Miami break a Major League Soccer record.

The 37-year-old Argentine professional footballer scored a stunning 11-minute hat trick to his team break the MLS record for most points in a single season, after defeating the New England Revolution 6-2 on Saturday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Miami concluded the MLS regular season with 74 points in 34 games and a 22-4-8 (W-L-D) record, narrowly besting the Revolution’s 2021 mark of 73 points.

Luis Suárez propelled Inter Miami to rally from two goals down after 34 minutes, scoring twice in under four minutes to keep alive the chase for the points record.

Benjamin Cremaschi then put Miami ahead for the first time in the 58th minute.

But it was captain Messi who fittingly cemented Inter Miami’s name in league history when scoring the fourth, fifth and sixth goals.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came off the bench in the 55th minute to make an instant impact with his first hat trick for Miami, in the process becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 33 goals.

Miami also became the first team in MLS history to have multiple players score at least 20 goals in a season.

With 20 goals apiece, Messi and Suárez are set to finish second in the Golden Boot race to D.C. United’s Christian Benteke. Messi, though, leads the league in total goal contributions with a combined 36 goals and assists in only 19 games.

“Our players are what has made this season successful,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “Our captain has led us. Our players have led us in times where it was difficult. But now, tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow, we prepare for Friday, the playoffs.”

It was a night of celebration for Miami. The team was awarded the 2024 Supporters’ Shield after the final whistle, having clinched the prize for best regular-season record in MLS for the first time earlier this month.

The trophy was Miami’s first piece of MLS silverware since debuting as an expansion club in 2020.

Inter Miami previously lifted the inaugural MLS vs. Liga MX Leagues Cup trophy soon after Messi’s arrival in the summer of 2023.

After Saturday’s win, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced Miami would take part in the 2025 Club World Cup and host the expanded 32-team tournament’s opening game at Hard Rock Stadium.

More immediately, Inter Miami will now have home-field advantage through the MLS playoffs. The team kicks off the postseason Friday against the winner of the Eastern Conference wild-card match between CF Montreal and Atlanta United.

“Let’s get ready for the playoffs,” Beckham said.

Lautaro Martínez Scores Late Extra-Time Goal to Lead Argentina to Record 16th Copa America Title

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Lautaro Martínez will be receiving a hero’s welcome…

The 26-year-old Argentine professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Serie A club Inter Milan, scored a late extra-time goal to lead defending champions Argentina to a 1-0 win over Colombia to claim a record 16th Copa America title at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.

Martínez, the tournament’s leading goal scorer, latched onto a precise through ball from Giovani Lo Celso before lifting his effort over advancing Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas in the 112th minute.

Martínez later ran to the bench to hug his captain Lionel Messi, who appeared to suffer a non-contact injury while running and falling in the 64th minute and covered his face with his hands when he sat on the bench, after the goal that propelled Argentina to surpass Uruguay for the most Copa América titles.

The win also marked Angel Di Maria‘s final Argentina match after the 36-year-old said last year he would retire from international football after the Copa, while defender Nicolas Otamendi is also set to end his international career.

“The truth is, this was written, it was this way,” Di Maria said. “I dreamed it, I dreamed that I would arrive to the final and win it and retire in this way.

“I have so many beautiful feelings and I am eternally grateful to this generation and today I am leaving in this way with a title.”

In a match that started over 75 minutes late because of crowd trouble at Hard Rock Stadium, Argentina won their third straight major title following the 2021 Copa América and 2022 World Cup and matched Spain, who won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships around the 2010 World Cup.

Argentina also stopped Colombia’s 28-game unbeaten streak dating to a February 2022 loss to the Albiceleste, when Martínez also scored the only goal.

Martínez entered in the 97th minute and scored from Giovani Lo Celso’s perfect through pass. Just inside the penalty area, Martínez sent a right-foot shot through the upraised arms of sliding goalkeeper Vargas for his 29th international goal, his tournament-high fifth.

Making his 39th and possibly last Copa América appearance at age 37, Messi had one goal in the tournament. He went down after his ankle was stepped on in the first half but remained in the game.

“Messi had to leave because of that ankle problem, but finally we were able to give him some joy,” Di Maria, who jointly lifted the trophy alongside captain Messi and Otamendi at the presentation ceremony, added.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner looked to the bench as soon as he fell to the field in the second half, appearing to know his tournament was over. He took off his right boot as he walked off and slammed it in frustration, and his ankle appeared to swell.

Colombia was more aggressive and forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to make four saves in the first half, but Argentina began to threaten more in the second.

Nicolás Tagliafico thought he scored in the 75th minute but was ruled offside. Nicolas Gonzalez, who replaced Messi, was stopped by Vargas in the 95th minute.

Shakira Dazzles as First-Ever Halftime Show Performer at 2024 Copa America Final

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is celebrating a shining performance…

The 47-year-old Colombian superstar made her official Copa America debut during a special halftime performance during the tournament’s final match on Sunday, July 14.

In the midst of the Argentina vs. Colombia game, Shakira took Hard Rock Stadium by storm with a medley of old and new hits.

The superstar, dressed in a metallic silver skirt and halter top, kicked off the performance singing “Hips Don’t Lie.”

“Te Quiero, Colombia!,” she chanted in the middle of the song.

Accompanied by a group of dancers—female and robots alike—she continued with “Te Felicito,” “TQG,” and “Puntería,” all while flaunting her flawless dancing skills.

On television, the soccer field showcased large 3D wolves and floating gems, all representing her new era.

Shakira has taken center stage at many renowned sports events including the World Cup, Davis Cup, NBA All-Star Game and the Super Bowl, but this marks her first performance at the oldest international soccer tournament.

It also marks the first time ever that a soccer match features a halftime show a la Super Bowl, longer than 15 minutes. But organizers took advantage of the fact that this year’s Copa America took place in the U.S., where half time shows are customary.

“Shakira is an extraordinary South American star who has dazzled the entire world,” Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, previously said in a statement. “Her songs are sung and danced to in every corner of the planet, turning her art into a global phenomenon that crosses borders and is enjoyed by millions of people. We are sure that her performance at the Copa América USA 2024 will enhance the message of healthy passion and unity through sport.”

Ahead of her performance, her compatriot Karol G performed Colombian’s national anthem, and Abel Pintos performed Argentina’s national anthem.

Shakira to Perform at Halftime of Copa America Final

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Shakira is preparing for some Copa action…

After rumors that the 47-year-old Colombian superstar would perform at Copa América’s final match, Shakira has been officially confirmed to perform on Sunday, July 14, when Argentina and Colombia will play for the championship.

Shakira will sing during halftime of the match, scheduled for 8:00 pm ET at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Some 54,000 people are expected to attend.

She will be the first musical act to perform during the halftime of the Copa America final.

Her song “Puntería,” featuring Cardi B, is the official song of TelevisaUnivision’s 2024 Copa América CONMEBOL coverage.

“Shakira is an extraordinary South American star who has dazzled the entire world,” said Alejandro Domínguez, president of CONMEBOL, in a statement. “Her songs are sung and danced to in every corner of the planet, turning her art into a global phenomenon that crosses borders and is enjoyed by millions of people. We are sure that her performance at the Copa América USA 2024 will enhance the message of healthy passion and unity through sport.”

But this isn’t Shakira’s first performance at a high-profile soccer match.

The Colombian pop star, a former partner of Barcelona and Spain star defender Gerard Piqué, has performed at three World Cups.

Additionally, she performed at the 2020 Super Bowl.

Carlos Alcaraz Beats Taylor Fritz to Reach Miami Open Semifinals

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Carlos Alcaraz is one step closer to reaching the Miami Open finals…

The 19-year-old Spanish tennis player, the World No. 1 and top-ranked man at this year’s tournament, defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-2 at Hard Rock Stadium to blast into the semifinals.

Before a packed crowd that included John McEnroe and was split in support, Alcaraz broke Fritz’s serve in the first game. He used that one break to squeak out the first set and finished the match in tidy 1 hour, 18 minutes. Alcaraz faced just two break points and turned away both chances as he improved his match record to 18-1 in 2023.

“I took the opportunity of every break point I had,” Alcaraz said. “I was solid and aggressive at the same time.”

This was the first meeting between the two and an opportunity for Fritz to assess how close he is to a breakthrough. The match was postponed Wednesday night, only delaying the inevitable.

“Obviously playing the best player in the world, you can’t just drop your serve to start both sets,” Fritz said. “He doesn’t give you much for free. … All the important points in the match, he won.”

Alcaraz proved too tough in Miami against two Americans who reside in South Florida. Fritz moved recently to Miami and Tommy Paul has lived in the Delray Beach/Boca Raton area for years.

The reigning US Open champion and defending Miami Open champion will play Jannik Sinner in Friday’s semifinals, a rematch of their semifinal at Indian Wells, where Alcaraz went on to win the title.

Bad Bunny Announces Ambitious 29-Date Summer Stadium Tour for 2022

Posted on January 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

He hasn’t even launched his highly anticipated tour, but Bad Bunny’s already thinking bigger…

After selling out his 36-date El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo arena tour in record time, the 27-year-old Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter and actor has announced an ambitious 29-date stadium tour for 2022.

Promoted by Live Nation and CMN, Bad Bunny: World’s Hottest Tour will kick off on August 5 at Campus Stadium in Orlando, and will make 15 U.S. stops, including Yankee Stadium in New York, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Fenway Park in Boston.\

Bad Bunny announced the stadium tour before even playing a single show from his upcoming El Ultimo Tour Del Mundo tour, which kicks off on February 9.

It’s great news for the thousands of fans who weren’t able to score tickets for El Ultimo Tour del Mundo, which sold out in days.

The World’s Hottest Tour also comes with a bonus: In the U.S., Bunny will feature DJ Alesso as a guest for 11 dates, and Diplo as a guest at two dates, including the final show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles September 30.

The tour then continues to Latin America for 14 stops in October, including Estadio Velez in Buenos Aires and Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Tickets will go on pre-sale Wednesday (Jan. 26) at 12 p.m. via worldshottesttour.com, and goes on sale to the general public on Friday, January 28, also at 12 p.m.

The tour announcement was followed very quickly by a new album announcement, which Bad Bunny made via a video on Instagram reels.

Bad Bunny’s tour may be the most ambitious for a Latin artist ever in the U.S. But then again, he’s been on a record-breaking streak for the past three years.

Bad Bunny (real name Benito Martínez Ocasio) was the top selling Latin artist of 2021 for the third consecutive year, according to MRC Data, and the most streamed artist globally on Spotify for the second consecutive year.

He is also the first artist to place an all-Spanish album at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

On the live front, in 2021 Bad Bunny sold 480,000 tickets and grossed $84 million in a single day when his 2022 El Último Tour del Mundo tour went on sale. It became Ticketmaster’s top-selling tour for a first day since Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s On the Run II Tour in 2018.

In December 2021, Bad Bunny played back-to-back shows at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in Puerto Rico, staging a festival-like performance that included multiple stages and environments. Whether this will serve as the template for Bunny’s upcoming stadium tour remains to be seen.

Here are the tour dates:

Bad Bunny World’s Hottest Tour Dates
Aug. 5 – Orlando, FL @ Camping World Stadium
Aug. 9 – Atlanta, GA @ Truist Park (with Alesso)
Aug. 12 – Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium (with Alesso)
Aug. 18 – Boston, MA @ Fenway Park (with Alesso)
Aug. 20 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
Aug. 23 – Washington, DC @ Nationals Park (with Alesso)
Aug. 27 – New York, NY @ Yankee Stadium (with Diplo)
Sept. 1 – Houston, TX @ Minute Maid Park (with Alesso)
Sept. 7 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome (with Alesso)
Sept. 9 – Dallas, TX @ AT&T Stadium (with Alesso)
Sept. 14 – Oakland, CA @ RingCentral Coliseum (with Alesso)
Sept. 17 – San Diego, CA @ PETCO Park (with Alesso)
Sept. 23 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium (with Alesso)
Sept. 28 – Phoenix, AZ @ Chase Field (with Alesso)
Sept. 30 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium (with Diplo)

Aventura’s “Volví,” Featuring Bad Bunny, Reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs Chart

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Aventura has officially returned to the top of the charts…

The Dominican-American bachata group leads Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart as its new single “Volví,” with Bad Bunny, rises 2-1 in its second week (August 21-dated survey). It’s Aventura’s third No. 1, and first since 2010’s “Dile Al Amor.”

The bachata-rhythmic tune takes the lead of the airplay-, streaming-, and digital-blended list boosted by gains in both streams and airplay. “Volví” generated 14.6 million U.S. streams (up 25%) in the week ending August 12, according to MRC Data, enough to enter the all-genre Streaming Songs chart’s top 10 (a 16-10 leap that takes the Greatest Gainer honors). Concurrently, the song holds at No. 1 on Latin Streaming Songs for a second week.

“Volví,” a midnight release on August 3, was teased by both Bad Bunny and Aventura’s Romeo Santos on their Instagram accounts just hours before. The pair has since performed the song live for the first time on Saturday night (August 14) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami; the group’s first sold out date of its Inmortal stadium tour.

“Volví” grants Aventura its first No. 1 on the all-metric tally since the nine-week leader “Dile Al Amor” in 2010. Previously, the Dominicans led with “Por Un Segundo” (two weeks atop in 2009). Bad Bunny, meanwhile, captures his ninth No. 1, a lead following his first 2021 win: “Yonaguni,” which remained atop Hot Latin Songs for five weeks starting the June 19-dated tally.

“Volví” also reigns thanks to a lift on radio airplay: it pushes 50-31 on Latin Airplay with 3.5 million audience impressions (up 33%).

Aventura Reuniting for One-Night-Only Concert in Miami to Closeout Their “Inmortal” Reunion Tour

Posted on July 1, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Prepare for a special Aventura reunion…

The bachata group, helmed by Romeo Santos, Henry Santos, Lenny Santos and Max Santos, has announced an upcoming one-night-only concert as part of their “Inmortal” reunion tour that was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Aventura canceled their 2020 reunion tour on March 12 at the former AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami when Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a state of emergency, canceling large events to stop the spread of the virus. They also canceled the remaining North American tour, which was set to wrap in August.

Now, the tour will officially conclude August 14 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for a one-time show produced by Live Nation.

Named after the group’s first single in nearly 10 years, the “Inmortal” tour grossed $25.8 million and sold 189,000 tickets, according to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore. That’s 15 shows between February 5 and March 10, 2020.

Although the group has reunited multiple times since disbanding in 2011, this is the “last and final” Aventura concert together, according to Santos on Instagram.

Tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster.com.

Canelo Alvarez Makes Quick Work of Avni Yildirim to Defend WBA & WBC Super Middleweight Titles

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Canelo Alvarez didn’t take long to defend his titles…

The 30-year-old Mexican boxer, the sport’s biggest star and best pound-for-pound fighter, made quick work of his limited foe, Avni Yildirim, to defend his WBA and WBC titles at 168 pounds via third-round TKO at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Needing to clear the hurdle of his mandatory challenger in order to begin an ambitious 2021 plan to unify all four super middleweight world titles, Alvarez looked every bit of the audaciously large betting favorite he was coming in.

Alvarez put on quite the performance amid fireworks and a live concert on his walk to the ring alone. After Yildirim (21-3, 12 KOs) hid behind his high guard for the first two rounds, he finally succumbed to a stiff right cross from Alvarez that dropped him in Round 3.

After trainer Joel Diaz warned his fighter between rounds that he needed to show something or the fight would be stopped, Yildirim stared with a blank expression on his face that caused his corner to stop the fight.

“It doesn’t matter if they are taller and have more reach or whether they have a good new trainer or no trainer, it doesn’t matter,” Alvarez said after the win. “I come here to do my job and win and I come to make history and I have the best trainer in the world [Eddy Reynoso] in my corner.”

Alvarez made a quick return to the ring just two months after dominating unbeaten champion Callum Smith to unify a pair of super middleweight titles. But he opened as an alarming 50-1 favorite over Yildirim, a native of Turkey who didn’t seem to deserve the mandatory shot considering he was fresh off a two-year layoff and a loss in his last fight.

“It’s great to be active. It’s wonderful to be here in Miami. I wanted to have a great fight here and I’m happy it’s a knockout. That’s what I wanted to do,” Alvarez said. “I will fight anyone. I fight the best and I always fight the best. I fight the best at 168 and here I am, making history. I had to fight Yildirim to get the opportunity to fight the best at 168 and I had to do it. I defended my titles and am ready for what’s next.”

What’s next was confirmed for May 8 by promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, who has one fight remaining on a two-bout deal Alvarez signed to open the year. Hearn said Alvarez will challenge unbeaten WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders at a location to be announced.

In addition, Alvarez is hoping to fight twice more in 2021 after the Saunders bout and has shared his interest in closing the year by defeating Caleb Plant, the unbeaten IBF champion, to become boxing’s first undisputed super middleweight champion.

“[Saunders] is a very difficult fighter and he has the championship, the WBO. We want to unify,” Alvarez said before being asked about Saunders’ ability to trash talk his opponents. “People talk but I’m a mature fighter. I know how to control myself. All I have to do is get into the ring, win and make history. Words are just that.

“I [want to unify] because it hasn’t been done. At 168, no one has done that in the world. I want to make history.”

“I want to make my own history. I don’t want to be equal to anyone. I respect everyone in history but I want to make my own history so that when they one day talk about the sport of boxing, they talk about Canelo.”

J Balvin Releases New Single “Ma’ G”

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is ringing in a new era of music…

The 35-year-old Colombian singer took to the boxing ring, alongside friend and boxer Canelo Alvarez, to perform his new single “Ma’ G, for the first time prior to Saturday night’s Canelo/Avni Yildrim fight at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The official music video for “Ma’ G,” the first from his upcoming album, was filmed in Balvin’s hometown of Medellín, and the song marks a return to Balvin’s rap roots.

“Ma’ G” is Balvin’s first song since “Un Día,” last year’s Grammy-nominated collaboration with Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and Tainy. The track was released alongside a merch collection with 747 and La Plaga Invade that includes a varsity jacket, hoodie and masks.

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