The 2026 FIFA World Cup likely marked the final appearance for Messi, Modrić, De Bruyne, Salah and others, ending a golden era alongside Ronaldo, Neymar, Neuer and Ochoa
Argentina's Lionel Messi is the only player to have won the Golden Ball award twice after being named the tournament's best player in 2014 and 2022
Messi shared a picture with the Argentina squad, thanking his teammates, coaching staff and everyone working behind the scenes for making the national team "a family"
Mbappe's two goals vs England took his overall World Cup tally to 22 goals, moving him past Messi's previous mark of 21 and making him the tournament's all-time leading goalscorer.
The lineup of sports legends simultaneously on the stage at Fanatics Fest on Friday night was almost absurd. There was Tom Brady, the greatest Super Bowl champion of all time. There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men's Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else. There was Kevin Durant, the only four-time Olympic gold medalist in men's basketball history. And before they left, they all got a selfie with Lionel Messi. Let that be the latest proof of Messi's power: Even the biggest stars in the sports universe clearly enjoy a chance to be around the best soccer player of all-time. They'll all be watching Sunday - along with probably 1.5 billion other people worldwide - when Messi and Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final. "We will give it our all," Messi said. The star-studded news conference was expected to be Messi's last public appearance before Sunday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FIFA decided to use Fanatics Fest - a four-day celebration of sports in N
The remarkable thing about Lionel Messi is no longer that he can produce moments of magic. It is that the football world has come to expect them even when logic suggests otherwise.
With eight goals and four assists, Messi now leads the Golden Boot race, edging France captain Kylian Mbappe, who also has eight goals but only three assists.
Goals from Fernandez and Martinez hand Argentina a late 2-1 victory against England to set a final date with Spain.
Lionel Scaloni's side has combined moments of brilliance with remarkable resilience, reaching another World Cup semifinal where England now awaits.
While Argentina are chasing their second successive final appearance, the English side will be hoping for their first participation in the title decider since lifting the trophy back in 1966
Now, with Lionel Messi leading the defending champions and England searching for their first World Cup final appearance since 1966, another historic encounter awaits.
Argentina are bidding to become only the third nation after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title
Lionel Messi supplied his 10th World Cup assist, but Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck deep in extra time as Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 to set up a semi-final against England
France superstar Kylian Mbappe currently sits at the top of the leaderboard with eight goals and three assists, showcasing his consistency on the biggest stage.
Goals from Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez in extra time made sure the defending champions keep their title defense alive.
For Argentina, victory would move them within two wins of retaining the World Cup, while Switzerland are chasing history as they look to reach their first-ever World Cup semifinal
Morocco and Norway script upsets, England, France and Spain edge through tense encounters, while Belgium and Argentina survive to complete the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final line-up
Argentina vs Egypt HIGHLIGHTS: The defending champions keep their title defence alive and will now face the winner of Colombia vs Switzerland in the last eight.
Unlike Messi Maradona lived a life of excess - glorious highs shadowed by criticism and controversy
The winner of the Argentina and Cabo Verde round-of-32 match will take on the winner of the Australia vs Egypt match, which is set to take place earlier on Friday