Argentine football legend Lionel Messi opened his scoring record for 2026 in an exceptional manner, during the exciting friendly match that brought together his American team Inter Miami with its Ecuadorian counterpart Barcelona, ​​which ended in a positive draw (2-2) as part of the team’s preparatory tour in Latin America.

The Monumental Stadium in Guayaquil, one of the most important ports on the Pacific coast, witnessed a raucous atmosphere as thousands gathered to see "The Flea" up close. To ensure the safety of the event and the stars, authorities implemented strict security measures, including the deployment of approximately 700 military personnel to secure the stadium and the athletes' entourage, reflecting the immense importance of the event.

Details of the first goal and the on-field brilliance

In the 31st minute of the first half, Messi unleashed his usual magic, scoring his first goal of the year. The goal came after a dazzling display of skill, dribbling past Lucas Sosa and Bryan Carabao, before unleashing a perfectly placed left-footed shot that Venezuelan goalkeeper José David Contreras couldn't stop, sending the stands into raptures as fans adored the Argentine star.

The 38-year-old was not content with just scoring, but continued to provide gifts to his teammates, as he passed a magical ball to the Argentine-Mexican striker Germán Bertramé, which enabled him to score another goal for the American team, but the home team managed to come back in the game and snatch a draw.

Inter Miami's preparations under Mascherano

This match is the third stop on a regional tour for Inter Miami, led by their Argentine coach Javier Mascherano, Messi's former teammate on both the national team and at Barcelona. The tour includes Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico, all aimed at achieving peak readiness before the start of their MLS title defense on February 21st.

The American club is relying heavily on the experience of Messi, who joined the team in July 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain, and recently renewed his contract last October to continue until 2028, confirming the club's commitment to its long-term sporting project.

The road to the 2026 World Cup

Messi's moves in 2026 take on particular significance, as fans eagerly await his final decision regarding participation in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19. Argentina enters the tournament as the defending champions, having won the title in Qatar in 2022.

If Messi decides to participate, this will be his sixth and final World Cup appearance, a historic record. Argentina is scheduled to begin its title defense with a tough match against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, a game eagerly awaited by football fans worldwide.

The Al-Hilal first team football squad departed Saudi Arabia on Sunday morning, heading to the United Arab Emirates, in preparation for a highly anticipated and challenging match against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai. The Saudi giants will be the visitors on Monday evening in the seventh round of the AFC Champions League group stage, a match in which they aim to reaffirm their dominance and maintain their position at the top of the group.

The squad selected by the coaching staff to travel to Dubai included a pleasant surprise for Al-Hilal fans: the call-up of three promising players from the youth team (under 21): Saad Al-Mutairi, Abdullah Al-Zaid, and Rayan Al-Ghamdi . This decision aligns with the club's strategy of giving rising talents opportunities to gain continental experience, especially given the team's comfortable lead in their group.

Al-Hilal enters this match sitting alone at the top of the West Group standings in the Asian Elite Championship with a perfect record, having collected 18 points from 6 consecutive victories, reflecting the team’s formidable strength this season and its fierce desire to reclaim the continental title in its new format.

The context of the competition and the importance of the match:
Despite Al-Hilal having already secured qualification thanks to their winning streak, the match against Shabab Al-Ahli holds special significance that goes beyond just the three points. The game represents a test of the strength of Al-Hilal's bench and the depth of their squad, especially with the inclusion of the aforementioned young players (Al-Mutairi, Al-Zaid, and Al-Ghamdi) in a continental competition that demands high mental and technical readiness. Al-Hilal also aims to maintain their unbeaten record to reinforce their status as one of the leading contenders for the title.

Al-Hilal and a History of Continental Dominance:
This match comes as part of Al-Hilal's ongoing journey to solidify its record as the most decorated and successful Asian club. The newly formatted AFC Champions League presents a challenge that Al-Hilal aspires to be the first to win, drawing on its extensive experience and the proven track record of its players in major competitions. Including young players in such matches reflects a long-term vision to develop a new generation capable of carrying the "Leader's" banner in the future, ensuring a continuous flow of talent from the youth ranks to the first team, thus guaranteeing sustained competitiveness at all levels, both domestically and internationally.

In the world of modern football, championships are no longer decided solely by the players' skills on the pitch; the real story begins in the administrative offices. When championships are managed with a sound strategy before being decided on the field, the name of Al-Hilal Saudi Club stands out as an exceptional example. It is unfair to reduce this entity to a single victory or one championship, for the story is deeper than just ninety minutes, and bigger than the name of a coach who comes and goes or a star who shines and then fades.

An empire run by reason, not emotion

Al-Hilal today represents an administrative empire managed according to a purely institutional and sporting strategy, achieving victory through a professional mindset that brooks no improvisation. While many clubs falter at the first loss, their crucial decisions shifting with the fickle mood of their fans, Al-Hilal proceeds with remarkable steadfastness, as if knowing the outcome from the outset. This confidence is not a product of the moment, but rather the cumulative result of years of organized administrative work that prioritizes the club's interests above all individual considerations.

Historical context: Continental leadership that did not come from nowhere

Given its historical context, Al Hilal's current success is inextricably linked to its rich legacy. The club, nicknamed "The Leader," reigns supreme in Asia as the most decorated club in the continent's history, and boasts the most domestic league titles. This historical dominance is no accident; it is conclusive proof that Al Hilal possesses the "genes" of a champion, nurtured by a stable administrative system that has seen different names at the helm, yet the core principles have remained consistent. This stability has made Al Hilal a shining example for Saudi Arabian football, especially with its global reach and runner-up finish in the Club World Cup, reflecting the development of Saudi football and its ability to compete with the world's best.

Governance versus “trends”

No emotional outbursts, no hasty reactions, and no decisions made under the pressure of trends and social media; this is where the true distinction lies in the charisma of visionary management. Al-Hilal doesn't dwell on past glories; it builds for the future with a system governed by good governance, guided by planning, and managed with a logic of continuity, not by sensational media headlines. Therefore, when names change within the club, the strategy remains the same, and when a star departs, another star is immediately born. This is not a coincidence, but rather a deeply ingrained practice and policy within the Al-Hilal empire.

The management model and its impact

What might be frustrating for rivals is that Al-Hilal doesn't need to justify its superiority; it doesn't shout, it doesn't complain, and it doesn't engage in distracting side battles. It leaves the noise to others and goes straight for the goal. And when the decisive moment arrives, it advances with the confident strides of someone accustomed to standing at the top and on the podiums of gold. Al-Hilal doesn't win because it's lucky, nor because it's favored, as some media outlets claim to justify failure, but because it's the most administratively mature and the most aware that modern football is an industry run with intellect before emotion.

Results may vary in some seasons, and Al-Hilal may experience setbacks—this is normal in the world of sports. However, it is unnatural for a project built on solid foundations to collapse. Clubs may lose a match, but institutional empires emerge stronger. Ultimately, anyone who wants to compete with Al-Hilal should first find a management team that shares its vision and planning, because those who lack sound decision-making will not win championships.

Your time is clear, O thirsty one...
Drink before the mud muddies its purity.

By: Abdulaziz Daraj