Paul Tenorio
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Paul Tenorio
@paultenorio.bsky.social
Senior writer covering soccer for The Athletic. Author of The Messi Effect, out June 9, AVAILABLE NOW FOR PREORDER! https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-messi-effect-9781250364173/
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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 Messi Effect 9781250364173 - Macmillan
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind Lionel Messi&#82...
read.macmillan.com
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 Messi Effect: How the Global Legend Changed the Future of American Soccer|Hardcover
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind the ropes and into the inner sanctum and chronicle the last act of L...
www.barnesandnoble.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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:
How U.S. sports tickets got so expensive – and why it shocks the rest of the world
World Cup ticket prices are symptomatic of a greater issue across sports in America, where enough people have proven they'll pay in excess
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
#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...
USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams could miss up to three months after MCL tear
Adams is now facing a race against time to be match fit for international friendlies against Belgium and Portugal on March 28 and April 1.
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:09 PM
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 @paultenorio.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Sources: MLS divisional revamp may split rivalries, blend conferences
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:08 PM
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...
Sources: MLS divisional revamp may split old rivalries, blend conferences
A significant switch in MLS's structure could have ramifications for historic rivalries within the league
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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...
Chatting with Paul Tenorio about this book, The Messi Effect
There’s more to this book than the story of an Argentinian.
www.sounderatheart.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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:
FIFA, after backlash to World Cup ticket prices, creates new $60 category for small number of supporters
One thousand of the cheaper tickets will be available for each team per game after outrage over historically high prices this month.
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
👀 that’s a long time. Let’s see if Reyna is turning the corner health-wise.
Gio Reyna gets third straight start for Borussia Monchengladbach today. First time the #USMNT attacker has made three consecutive starts at club level since August 2021.
December 13, 2025 at 1:49 PM
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...
Lionel Messi’s MLS triumph watched by 4.6M says league but questions remain
The advertised numbers represent a significant jump in viewership for the championship game
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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
December 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
🇦🇷 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...
Messi wins MLS MVP for second straight season, makes more league history
Lionel Messi's dominance since arriving in MLS is clear when you dig into the numbers, and he has more silverware to show for it
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:08 PM
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...
Paul Tenorio discusses his upcoming book, The Messi Effect | Total Soccer Show: USMNT, Champions League, EPL, and more ...
shows.acast.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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...
The Messi Effect 9781250364173 - Macmillan
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind Lionel Messi&#82...
read.macmillan.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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...
The Messi Effect 9781250364173 - Macmillan
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind Lionel Messi&#82...
read.macmillan.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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:
The making of the 2026 World Cup schedule: Simulations, an all-nighter and a giant ‘puzzle’
There was a myriad of issues for the World Cup schedulers to cope with - The Athletic was given an insight into how fixtures were confirmed
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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...
MLS Cup’s pivotal bounces go Inter Miami’s way as Messi & Co. get their just reward
Inter Miami makes for a worthy MLS champion, but one sequence in particular demonstrates how close Vancouver came to spoiling the party
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 PM
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...
The Messi Effect 9781250364173 - Macmillan
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind Lionel Messi&#82...
read.macmillan.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:47 PM
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...
Messi, Inter Miami’s MLS Cup title ends one era, ushers in a more ambitious future
An MLS Cup title shuts the door on the first iteration of Messi in Miami. With a new stadium and running mates beckoning, what comes next?
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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
The making of the 2026 World Cup schedule: Simulations, an all-nighter and a giant ‘puzzle’
There was a myriad of issues for the World Cup schedulers to cope with - The Athletic was given an insight into how fixtures were confirmed
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
🚨 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...
David Beckham relishes becoming first MLS Cup winner as both player and owner
Beckham's efforts to build a winner in Miami – with Lionel Messi as its centerpiece – have paid off with a bit of MLS history
www.nytimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:01 AM
While you all enjoy an MLS Cup halftime beverage, you should click this link and preorder my book!
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 Messi Effect 9781250364173 - Macmillan
In The Messi Effect, Paul Tenorio, national soccer writer for The Athletic, draws on coveted insider access to bring readers behind Lionel Messi&#82...
read.macmillan.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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...
Thomas Müller has often been Messi’s nemesis and now seeks to deny him MLS Cup
Historically, Thomas Muller's teams have an enviable record against Lionel Messi's heading into Saturday's MLS Cup final
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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...
Pochettino’s own World Cup scars fuel his passion for USA’s 2026 approach
The U.S. manager knows just how quickly the fire of a World Cup dream can be extinguished. He wants his players to never know that feeling
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
#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...
Pochettino’s own World Cup scars fuel his passion for USA’s 2026 approach
The U.S. manager knows just how quickly the fire of a World Cup dream can be extinguished. He wants his players to never know that feeling
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Reposted by Paul Tenorio
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!)
December 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM