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LIONEL MESSI CONFIDENT AS INTER MIAMI CHASE MLS CUP DREAM

Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami beats Nashville 3-1 in their MLS playoff opener. Messi warns the team must fix their "irregular" defense to have a real shot at winning the MLS Cup.

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Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Nashville SC - Photo Credit: Getty Images

On October 24, at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, defeated Nashville SC 3-1 in their first game of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup Playoff season.

Messi scored two goals in the Herons' victory in Game 1 of the Round One Best-of-3 Series. The day before, Messi had signed a contract extension with Inter Miami that would keep him there until 2028.

In their 2024 MLS first-round playoff matchup, Inter Miami lost to Atlanta United last year, and the Herons' defensive shortcomings were a major contributing factor.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner shared his thoughts on his team's chances of winning the MLS Cup and criticized Inter Miami for their mistakes against Atlanta last season, calling their defense "irregular."

Regarding Inter Miami's prospects of winning the MLS Cup, what did Lionel Messi say?
Messi told Apple TV on Wednesday what Inter Miami "must be better in" in order to win the MLS Cup.

There were times when the squad played at a very high level, but we also had erratic defensive play and gave up a lot of goals, which is something we still need to work on. If we truly want to win the MLS Cup, we need to improve in that area," according to GOAL.

"I think we have grown a lot this season, just like last year."

The MLS "playoffs are an altogether different sport," the Argentine legend continued.

"The playoffs, in my opinion, are an entirely different tournament with different games. The teams are far more meticulous and attentive to every detail as with any given situation you can be knocked out. However, it is clear that we are ready to battle and strive to win, which is what we all desire."

Messi boldly responded when asked if Inter Miami could win the MLS Cup:

"Yes, we can, of course. It will not be simple. We have experience from the previous season, when we were eliminated in the first round after finishing top in the regular season.

On Saturday, November 1, Inter Miami will play Nashville in the second game of their MLS Cup playoff first round matchup at Geodis Park.

CARLOS SAINZ HAILS SERGIO PEREZ’S PERSEVERANCE AS HE GAINS SECOND F1 SHOT

Carlos Sainz praises Sergio Perez's resilience in securing a Formula 1 return with the new Cadillac team. The Williams driver notes such "second chances" are rare, hailing Checo's proven talent and motivation for this new phase.

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Carlos Sainz highlights Perez’s earned return to F1 - COURTESY/PHOTO

The Williams driver, who signed a contract with the new American team that will compete next season, commended Perez's tenacity in an interview with El Heraldo de Mexico.

Throughout his whole Formula 1 career, Checo has already demonstrated his strength and talent as a driver and an athlete, according to Sainz. He is currently getting ready for a second, distinct phase, which really inspires him.

Such results are uncommon in contemporary Formula 1, he said. Only drivers who have truly left their imprint, such as Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, and Checo, are given another shot, Sainz continued.

Cadillac's debut, according to Sainz, will intensify grid rivalry.

It will be difficult for everyone, he remarked, to have two more vehicles on the circuit and another team with more than 500 workers.

DENZEL BENTLEY - ENDRA SAAVEDRA FIGHT ON HORIZON, PURSE BID HITS DELAY

The WBO has pushed for a resolution in the Denzel Bentley vs. Endra Saavedra middleweight eliminator. A deal for a Feb/March fight is near, avoiding a purse bid and moving the winner closer to a world title shot.

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Bentley-Saavedra fight postponed to 2026 - COURTESY/PHOTO

The WBO middleweight title eliminator was updated during the sanctioning body's annual meeting, as was to be expected.

However, considering the time, the most recent action was somewhat of a surprise.

The WBO's 38th annual convention in Bogota, Colombia, revealed Thursday that the long-ago-ordered elimination match between Denzel Bentley and Endra Saavedra is almost over. On behalf of Bentley, Lee Eaton of Queensberry Promotions told WBO officials that an agreement to hold the bout in February or March of next year is within reach.

Following the removal of two distinct purse bids from the program, this scenario occurred. Saavedra's promoter, No Limit Boxing, insisted that a session be set for Monday after determining that the fight had progressed to a stage where a settlement was impossible.

But after being rescheduled for Wednesday, the issue was taken off the calendar entirely and put up for discussion on the floor.

The persistent problem, at least before the convention, was No Limit's intention to hold the fight in Australia. One possible landing spot was as a co-star in the Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa performance in Queensland, which was just announced for January 16.

Other than the potential to upgrade the fight, which was initially scheduled in July, to an interim title match, Queensberry did not indicate a site for its plans to hold the event.

The current WBO 160-pound champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly, is also the IBF champion. On December 6 in San Antonio, Kazakhstan's undefeated Alimkhanuly will square off against WBA champion Erislandy Lara in a three-belt unification match.

Lara and WBC titlist Carlos Adames will square off in the fight, which Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) is presenting on Prime Video Pay-Per-View. Queensberry and No Limit want to further safeguard their fighters' rights before their own scheduled battle because it is possible that the Alimkhanuly-Lara victor would face Adames for the undisputed title.

The WBO did not receive a motion to consider Bentley-Saavedra's temporary title. Instead, there was a demand that the two parties either quickly come to an agreement or be ready for another purse bid date that would soon be on the calendar.

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