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Lionel Messi Criticised For Applauding Donald Trump After Iran Update

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Lionel Messi has received strong criticism for his reaction when Donald Trump spoke about the United States’ ongoing bombing of Iran.

Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were invited to the White House to meet the US President on Thursday following December’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final win over Vancouver Whitecaps.

Various clips from the meeting have been widely shared on social media, including Messi’s reaction when Trump mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo’s name while speaking to him. Inter Miami’s squad were also asked whether Messi or Pele – the player Trump said is the greatest player of all time last summer – is the superior footballer.

But during a far more serious moment, Trump provided an update on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The US and Israel launched a joint-attack on Iran last weekend, with Trump calling for a regime change after carrying out “major combat operations”. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by launching missiles and drones towards Israel, as well as striking the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Donald Trump


Expert Reveals Condition Which Could See World Cup Postponed Amid US Conflict

As conflict grows between the United States and Iran, there may soon be fears that the tournament could be called off.

Speaking in front of Inter Miami’s players, including Messi, Trump said, per the New York Times: “The U.S. military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule.”

Trump continued. “We are destroying more of Iran’s missiles and drone capability every single hour … We want to fight now more than they do. We’ve had 47 years, depending on the way you count it, 47 years of horror with this group.”

He added: “When you see somebody walking down the street without their legs, without the arms, whose face is so badly affected and hurt, it mostly came from, 95%, Soleimani and Iran.

“Other presidents lived with it, I didn’t live with it. Our people are doing a great job. Again, the greatest military anyone’s seen. Thank you.”

Messi Slammed For Clapping Trump

Lionel Messi and Donald Trump
Lionel Messi and Donald Trump

In response, sports journalist Leyla Hamed posted a strong tweet, criticising Messi and his teammates for reacting to Trump’s words with applause. She wrote: “Donald Trump casually announces more illegal bombing of Iran in front of the entire Inter Miami squad.

“Hundreds of children have been killed in Iran in the last few days. Lionel Messi and his teammates respond with applause. Bizarre.”

Some of the responses to the tweet are in complete agreement. Palestinian journalist Abubaker Abed wrote: “Truly disgusting. First Ronaldo and second Messi applauding. Football is dead. Messi and Ronaldo are finishing off their careers with a deplorable and unprofessional chapter.”

However, others have shown sympathy towards Messi, who recently admitted that he wishes he’d learned English when he was younger.

He told the ‘Miro de Atras’ podcast, per Goal: “To not have learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English and I didn’t do it. I deeply regret it. I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be able to talk and have a chat and you feel half ignorant.

“I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time.’ When you’re young, you don’t realise it. Today that’s what I tell my children, [the importance of] having a good education, to study and be prepared. I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation to the one I had, although I never lacked anything…”

Another X user wrote in response to Hamed’s tweet: “I’m a Ronaldo fan and could easily jump on this and say Messi is a bad person but he doesn’t even understand English. He probably just saw everyone applauding and went with it.”

However, when another person commented: “Some fellow Messi fans saying ‘he doesn’t understand what Trump’s saying’. Probably doesn’t, but ‘Iran’ was mentioned and he and the others have seen what’s been happening the last few days so still not an excuse,” Hamed replied: “Exactly. The world knows who Trump is. People need to stop infantilising athletes seriously.”

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Dustin Poirier’s Mugshot Has Emerged After Recent Arrest

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A retired UFC star was arrested on Sunday evening, and his mugshot has quickly done the rounds on social media.

On Sunday evening, legendary fighter Dustin Poirier was arrested on a ‘public drunk‘ charge. The 37-year-old was arrested at 6:38pm in Georgia before being released at 10pm later that same night.

The Louisiana native was one of the most-loved fighters during his UFC tenure, and was involved in a number of brilliant bouts against other legendary figures. His fights with the likes of Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje all cemented his status as a true fan-favourite.

Despite being adored by fans, it didn’t stop some on social media having a good laugh at his misdemeanour, including former fighter Colby Covington, who posted a video mocking Poirier for being arrested on Father’s Day. A number of different channels also posted his mugshot after his arrest, and fans were quick to have their say.

Dustin Poirier’s Mugshot Sparks Concern

Dustin Poirier

Under a post from Championship Rounds on X, one follower said: “Someone check up on Dustin, bro, he’s looking empty inside”, while another said: “Damn feel bad for him after seeing this.”

Poirier does look a shell of his usual confident self in the mugshot, but as we have seen with many celebrity mugshots, they are seldom the most flattering photos.

Prior to the arrest, Poirier’s wife posted a photo on social media of the former interim UFC lightweight champion smiling alongside his two children celebrating Father’s Day on Sunday. The next time we hear from him is again on social media, when he posted on his Instagram story: “Love you all. I’m working on myself.”

Whether the recently-retired fighter is referring to working on himself after a mistake on the day or if it is a longer-term issue he is looking to address remains to be seen. But after previously calling out Conor McGregor for similar issues, it will be interesting to see if the brash Irishman has anything to say on the matter.

Dustin Poirier’s UFC Career

Poirier retired last year after a 14-year stint in the UFC. During his exciting spell in the company, The Diamond became known as a bit of a nearly man, having lost lightweight title fights against the likes of Islam Makhachev, Oliveira, and Khabib Nurmagomedov, as well as losing to both Holloway and Gaethje for the UFC “BMF” title.

Despite these losses on his CV, he does have big wins against stars like Benoit Saint-Denis, Michael Chandler, Eddie Alvarez and McGregor, and will always be seen as a legend of the sport.

Whatever Poirier’s issues are, hopefully he can get past them and enjoy retirement properly.

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Colby Covington Causes Stir With Reaction to Dustin Poirier’s Arrest

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Former UFC fighter Colby Covington has given his two cents on the shocking news of Dustin Poirier’s Georgia arrest.

Poirier, who himself retired from MMA last July, was reportedly arrested in Georgia over the weekend for being drunk in public. The incident, which happened on Father’s Day, could lead to jail time for the former interim UFC lightweight champion.

The Diamond’s last fight came at UFC 318 last summer, facing off against Max Holloway for the infamous “BMF” title. Poirier would’ve backed himself in this fight, having defeated Holloway in their previous two bouts. But sadly for the Louisiana native, he couldn’t end his career with a title-clinching victory.

Is Poirier Struggling Post-UFC Retirement?

Dustin Poirier

Poirier’s arrest was a shocking and unexpected story from the weekend, but it does seem that the lightweight legend is finding it difficult to acclimatise to life outside the Octagon.

The former UFC star made headlines last year in a social media post after he revealed that he felt like a part of him “had died” since stepping away from MMA permanently.

It is a problem that faces many retired athletes, as they try to discover a new purpose beyond the spotlight of their careers. Like many before him, Poirier has worked as an analyst since finishing his in-cage career. However, this new occupation doesn’t seem to be filling the void.

But if Poirier is struggling with retirement, trash talk from the likes of Colby Covington is unlikely to prove helpful.

What Did Colby Covington Say Following Dustin Poirier’s Arrest?

Colby Covington

It seems that Covington is finding his own way to pass the time since also retiring from MMA. The welterweight hung up his gloves after his December 2024 loss to Joaquin Buckley, but the 38-year-old is still making jabs with his social media posts.

Following Poirier’s arrest, Covington was quick to kick the lightweight while he’s down.

“I just want to take a moment to have a toast to father of the year, Dustin Poirier,” began Covington. “Nothing says role model and family man like being arrested for public intoxication at 37 years old at 6.38pm on Father’s Day.

“Cheers to you, Dustin […] Hit me when you get out of the slammer.”

Poirier is yet to respond to Covington’s comments, but The Diamond has referenced his arrest in his own social media post.

“Love you all. I’m working on myself,” he posted via his Instagram story.

The news of Poirier’s arrest will no doubt prove shocking and concerning to fans of the popular MMA fighter, but knowing the difficulties he has faced post-retirement, and the anger that Covington’s comments will likely have caused, there’s always the possibility that this could lead to one last fight for both mixed martial artists.

From former training partners to enemies, a bout between the two retired fighters could prove to be an attractive prospect to the UFC brass.

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Why Miami Heat Can’t Complete Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Until July

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the move, but despite a blockbuster trade deal with the Miami Heat, they will have to wait to complete the deal.

The trade was agreed on Monday evening, as the Bucks agreed on a deal which consisted of Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis, as well as a plethora of future drafts and trades for the franchise icon Giannis, as well as the 31-year-old Bobby Portis.

However, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the deal is on hold for now.

Why Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Trade Will Be Delayed

Marks took to X to explain why this is the case, as he posted: “Because of the current first apron restrictions, the Giannis trade to Miami cannot be finalised until July 6.”

Essentially, what Marks is saying is that the various aprons in the salary cap limit have an effect on what can and cannot be done by teams when it comes to high salary totals. Teams have to be free of any restrictions caused by the salary cap first apron.

So, once the restrictions have been passed, the deal will be given the green light and should be completed.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Benny Sieu via Imagn Images

Although these are just formalities, it still adds layers to one of the biggest trades in recent NBA history. Giannis has been at the Bucks for 13 years now, and is seen as one of the biggest names in the franchise.

How the 13th Draft Pick Will Now Work

However, one potential hiccup of this deal is that although the deal can’t go through until July, the Heat has sent the Bucks the number 13 overall pick, which will be made a couple of weeks before.


Giannis Antetokounmpo


NBA: ‘Real Reason’ Why Boston Celtics Weren’t Able to Land Giannis Antetokounmpo Revealed

The race to sign Giannis Antetokounmpo is seemingly over, with the Miami Heat beating off the Boston Celtics.

This, in theory, means that a drafted player will be presented with a Miami Heat hat knowing that they will begin their career with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The way this works is that the Bucks will inform the Heat on who they want to take as their 13th pick. That player will then be drafted by Miami before immediately moving to Milwaukee once the deal is officially signed and sealed.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Jeff Hanisch via Imagn Images

It all seems very complicated, but many parts of the NBA Draft do. But, unless something drastic happens, Giannis will be presented as a Miami Heat player, and the Bucks will welcome on board a number of young stars, including the 13th overall pick.

Antetokounmpo was heavily linked with a move to the Boston Celtics. However, they were unwilling to meet the Bucks’ terms, meaning Miami have managed to sweep in and get their hands on the superstar.

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