Lionel Messi

End of an era: Messi announces retirement from international football

Messi retires as Argentina's most-capped player and its all-time leading goalscorer, with 207 appearances and 125 goals

Lionel Messi stars with four goals, assist as Inter Miami rout Montreal 7-1

Lionel Messi scored three times in the second half to finish off his first four-goal effort in MLS play while adding an assist, and Inter Miami scored six unaswered goals in a 7-1 romp over CF Montreal on Saturday night. Messi snapped a 1-1 tie in the 40th minute when he found the net for the 15th time, scoring off a free kick. The reigning Golden Boot Award winner and league MVP scored for a 3-1 lead in the 52nd minute. His 17th and 18th goals of the season came in the 83rd and sixth minute of stoppage time with the final one also coming off a free kick. Messi began the day two behind Petar Musa of FC Dallas in the goals race. Carlos Casimiro scored with a header off a corner kick by Telasco Segovia in the 20th minute to give Inter Miami a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal for the 34-year-old midfielder in his sixth league appearance and a career-best ninth assist for Segovia in his second MLS season. Montreal tied it in the 37th minute on a goal by Fabian Herbers - his first of the

Messi scores and assists as Inter Miami play out 2-2 draw against Union

Lionel Messi had a goal and assist as Inter Miami and the Philadelphia Union played to a 2-2 draw. Messi's cross was headed by Luis Suarez into the path of forward Daniel Pinter for the first Inter Miami goal in the 21st minute Wednesday night. Messi cut inside to his preferred left foot from 12 yards out in the 26th and curled a shot into the corner of the net for his first goal since returning to action following the death of his father. Messi has 13 goals and nine assists in 17 MLS games this season. He has six goals and four assists in six matches in all competitions against the Union. Indiana Vassilev scored on a volley in the first half to give the Union the lead, then 18-year-old defender Neil Pierre headed home his third goal in five games this season in the 58th minute to tie the score. Cavan Sullivan, the Union's 16-year-old midfielder, was credited with his seventh assist of the season on Vassilev's goal. Union forward Milan Iloski appeared to put the Union ahead in the

Kerala govt may order probe into alleged lapses in Messi event proposal

The UDF government in Kerala is likely to order a probe into alleged irregularities and procedural lapses in the previous LDF government's efforts to bring football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state. Indicating the possibility of an investigation, state Sports Minister O J Janeesh on Wednesday rejected former minister V Abdurahiman's defence of the proposal and alleged that government machinery was misused to facilitate financial gains for a private individual. Janeesh said there was no substance in Abdurahiman's claim that the government had not suffered any financial loss in connection with the proposed event. He alleged that official procedures were not followed from the beginning and that there was a lack of transparency in selecting the sponsor and dealing with the proposal. "The government machinery was misused for a private event management company. From the Chief Secretary to the district collector, police and Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA

Leagues Cup: Diego Rossi strikes late to sink Messi-less Inter Miami

Diego Rossi scored the go-ahead goal in the 90th minute to help Monterrey to a 2-1 win over Inter Miami, which played without Lionel Messi, in the group stage of the Leagues Cup on Saturday night. Messi returned to his native Argentina following the death of his father, Jorge, earlier in the day. It is not known when the 39-year-old star forward will return to the club. The 39-year-old Messi took a two-week break after leading Argentina to a runner-up World Cup finish. He made his first appearance as a reserve when Inter Miami tied Columbus 2-2 in an MLS match Aug. 1. Messi then had two goals and an assist in Inter Miami's first Leagues Cup match a 4-2 win against Atletico San Luis on Wednesday. Miami (1-1-0, 3 points) won the 2023 Leagues Cup and reached the final last year, but its chances of advancing to the knockout stage appear bleak with one match remaining in its 18-team group. The strike by Rossi, who was acquired July 3 from the Columbus Crew, capped a two-goal second hal

Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi passes away after health battle, aged 68

According to multiple Argentine media reports, Jorge Messi, the father of Lionel Messi, has died at the age of 68 after battling health problems for some time.

Lionel Messi bags first post-World Cup double in Inter Miami 4-2 victory

Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and took the career scoring lead in the Leagues Cup as Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to beat Atletico San Luis 4-2 on a rainy night. The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half because of lightning in the area. Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes. He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches - one ahead of Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga for most in the tournament's four-year history. Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored, and Noah Allen had three assists as Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches. Messi returned to Miami's starting lineup in his second match since the World Cup, where he led Argentina to its second straight final appearance before La Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Spain. The 39-year-old played 37 minutes as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday. After being held off the scoresheet against Columbus, it didn't take Messi long

Ronaldo to Neymar: Players who have made their last World Cup appearance

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

1930 to 2026: Full list of FIFA WC Golden Boot and Golden Ball winners

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 retirement loading? Leo's emotional post before Argentina-Spain final

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"

World Cup: Lionel Messi needs 2 goals to beat Mbappe in golden boot race

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.

'We'll give it our all': Messi sends strong message before World Cup final

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

Messi's magic on the biggest stage leaves little room for the GOAT debate

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.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi overtakes Mbappe in golden boot race

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.

England vs Argentina HIGHLIGHTS FIFA World Cup SF: Messi inspires ARG to the final with late 2-1 win

Goals from Fernandez and Martinez hand Argentina a late 2-1 victory against England to set a final date with Spain.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina's rollercoaster road to the semi-final

Lionel Scaloni's side has combined moments of brilliance with remarkable resilience, reaching another World Cup semifinal where England now awaits.

World Cup SF: Argentina vs England preview, prediction, head-to-head, stats

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

England vs Argentina: Football's fiercest rivalry returns at biggest stage

Now, with Lionel Messi leading the defending champions and England searching for their first World Cup final appearance since 1966, another historic encounter awaits.

FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals: Date, time (IST), predictions, key stats

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

Alvarez thunderbolt keeps Messi's dream alive in Argentina's 3-1 win vs SUI

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