Page 8 - Lionel Messi

World Cup Qualifiers: Messi doubtful starter; Vinicius back with Brazil

Lionel Messi is again a doubtful starter for Argentina in the next World Cup qualifying match against Paraguay. The Argentina captain scored in the opening 1-0 win over Ecuador but skipped the 3-0 win at Bolivia last month because of muscular pains that have also sidelined him from several matches for Inter Miami in the MLS. The World Cup champions are due to host Paraguay on Thursday at Buenos Aires. Vinicius Jr missed Brazil's first two games in South American qualifying but is back in the starting lineup after recovering from an injury. The Selecao will take on Venezuela in Cuiaba. Argentina and Brazil are 2-0 in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after victories last month. The continental archrivals are due to meet in November. Colombia is in third spot in the 10-team standings with four points. Uruguay and Venezuela each have three points, followed by Paraguay, Peru and Chile with one point each. Ecuador hasn't registered a competition point despite its 2-1 win over Uruguay

Messi-less Argentina beat Bolivia 3-0 in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier

Argentina expected a struggle in the altitude of La Paz. The World Cup champion's climb appeared even steeper with Lionel Messi out of the lineup. Argentina still beat Bolivia 3-0 on Tuesday in its second match of the qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. It's now two for two in qualifiers for coach Lionel Scaloni's team, which was led by veteran ngel Di Mara and a strong midfield. Uruguay had the chance to join Argentina atop the standings table, but lost 2-1 at Ecuador. The Ecuadorians now have moved back to zero; they started the tournament at -3 after having three points deducted by FIFA for the falsification of birth information of defender Byron Castillo, who is of Colombian origin. Brazil, which also won its opening game, was playing Peru later Tuesday. The 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is expanding to a 48-team format. The top six teams in South America will secure a direct spot. The seventh-place team will contest an intercontinental playoff

'If you like me, you don't have to hate Messi': Cristiano Ronaldo

A look at what's happening in UEFA European Championship qualifying on Friday: GROUP J Cristiano Ronaldo has been in reflective mood as he brings up 20 years in Portugal's national team, saying he and great rival Lionel Messi changed the history of soccer and that he still wants to raise the bar at the age of 38. Ronaldo's debut for Portugal was in August 2003 and two decades later the most prolific scorer in men's internationals with 123 goals in a record 200 games will be playing for the team in a European Championship qualifier at Slovakia. I am proud of the numbers I reached. But, I want more, Ronaldo said. When I play, the bar has to be up here, I want to think big. On his rivalry with Messi, Ronaldo added: If you like Cristiano Ronaldo, you don't have to hate Messi. We are both very good. We changed the history of soccer. We are respected all over the world. That is the most important thing. He has marked his path, I have marked mine. Portugal has won all four of its grou

Messi to Bonmati: Check the full list of Ballon d'Or nominees this year

Interestingly, Cristinao Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. could not make it to the list. In women, two-time winner Alexia Putella is a notable exclusion

Scoreless for first time in Lionel Messi era, Inter Miami ties Nashville

Inter Miami failed to score for the first time since Lionel Messi joined the team, playing a scoreless draw with Nashville. Messi failed to convert two free kick attempts in his first Major League Soccer match at home, and it was the first time during his Inter Miami tenure that he was kept off the score sheet. Inter Miami still earned a point in the standings as it looks to make a late-season playoff push. Miami entered the game 11 points shy of the MLS playoff line and needing to move up from 14th to ninth place to make the playoffs with 11 regular-season matches left. Miami had won its previous nine matches as Messi's addition gave the team an immediate boost. He has scored 11 goals, including three multi-goal performances. Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said despite its success, the team is still gelling after undergoing so many changes over the past two months. Miami hired Martino in June, weeks after firing Phil Neville. Miami had the worst record of the 15 Eastern Conferenc

Messi says happy with Miami move during first public interaction in US

Fans line up outside Inter Miami's practice facility to watch Lionel Messi's car drive away after training sessions. Players from opposing teams wait after matches to get his signature or just a simple handshake. His No. 10 jersey is everywhere in South Florida. For Messi, these are reminders that he made the right choice. He could have continued his acclaimed career with another stint in Barcelona, where he rose to stardom. He could have signed a lucrative deal to play for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. He chose the unfamiliar to travel stateside and play soccer in the United States, and he's glad about it. "From the beginning, from my arrival, it's been an impressive welcome that we've received," Messi said through an interpreter. He spoke publicly Thursday for the first time since announcing on June 7 that he'd join Inter Miami of the MLS. "Today I can tell you that I am very happy with the decision we made," Messi said at Miami's DRV PNK Stadium in a room so full of reporters that

Uefa Best Player award: Messi makes the cut alongside De Bruyne and Haaland

Lionel Messi made the three-man shortlist announced Thursday for the UEFA award as the best player in Europe last season. The FIFA World Cup-winning captain from Argentina, who has left Europe to play for Inter Miami, is up against Manchester City teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland. Messi won the UEFA award twice in its 12-year history, both in years when Barcelona was the European champion. Man City won the UEFA Champions League title last season. Pep Guardiola is the favourite for the men's coaching award after leading Man City to the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup titles. Also nominated were Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan, who led his team to the Champions League final, and Luciano Spalletti, who led Napoli to the Serie A title. The winners will be announced at the Champions League draw on August 31 in Monaco. The shortlists for the women's player and coaching awards will be announced next week after the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA said. England will face

Messi boosts Inter Miami to Leagues Cup final with 4-1 win vs Philadelphia

Lionel Messi keeps scoring goals, and Inter Miami keeps winning games. Messi ripped a shot from 30 yards past three Philadelphia defenders in the 20th minute that made fans who paid a record price for soccer tickets in the Philly area rejoice, and Inter Miami beat the Union 4-1 in a Leagues Cup semifinal on Tuesday night. Major League Soccer is Messi's league now. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner scored his ninth goal in six matches with his new team in front of a crowd that pushed 20,000 fans, with ticket prices soaring past USD 1,000 on the secondary market. There were few complaints. Certainly not from three Union season-ticket holders who ditched the home team's garb for a night and traded it for Messi gear. Or fans that lined up for Messi jerseys authenticity not guaranteed and the ones hungry at a food truck for Messi fries. And certainly not from the Union, who, of course wanted to win, but otherwise stuffed the coffers and received more worldwide attention on one night

Messi scores as Inter Miami beat Charlotte 4-0, make Leagues Cup semifinals

Lionel Messi's goalscoring streak lives on, as does Inter Miami's winning streak. Messi scored in the 86th minute, his eighth goal in five matches with his new club, and Inter Miami rolled past Charlotte 4-0 in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal game on Friday night. Messi has scored in all five of his appearances with Miami. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year has yet to lose a match with Miami, walking off winners in all five matchups so far in the Leagues Cup, a 47-team event composed of clubs from MLS and Mexico's top league that now is whittled down to the final four. Next up for Messi and his new club: A semifinal game on Tuesday against either Mexican club Queretaro or Philadelphia Union. Charlotte almost found a way to keep him off the scoresheet. Almost. Josef Martinez and Robert Thomas also had goals for Inter Miami, an own goal set up by some serious Messi pressure late in the second half resulted in another score, and then Messi

Virat Kohli India's highest-paid Instagram celeb; here's how much he earns

Virat Kohli, who is the most followed Indian on Instagram, has now emerged as one of India's top earners on Instagram

Messi sparkles with free kick, Inter Miami beat FC Dallas 5-4 in shootout

Lionel Messi scored on another mesmerizing free kick in his third consecutive two-goal game for Inter Miami, a tying tally that led to a 5-4 victory over FC Dallas on penalty kicks in a Leagues Cup elimination game. Messi's goal in the 85th minute on Sunday night was reminiscent of the game-winner in his Inter Miami debut, both on free kicks from just outside the penalty box in the waning moments and sneaking past the goalkeeper into the upper corner of the net. This time, the left-footed superstar, was to the right of the net, and beat FC Dallas' Maarten Paes to the near post the same way he did from the left side in a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul in his Inter Miami debut. The victory in the round of 16 sent Inter Miami into the Leagues Cup quarterfinals against the winner Monday night between Charlotte FC and Houston. Messi's first goal outside of Florida for his new U.S. club was another left-footed strike outside the penalty area in the sixth minute, on a pass from forme

Messi's Instagram post offers hope to his fans about World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi's Instagram post could hint at the Argentina star's unexpected return to the World Cup stage in 2026 after initially denying any such possibility

Argentina forward defends her Ronaldo tattoo, says I'm not anti-Messi

Argentina forward Yamila Rodiguez has tattooed two footballers on her leg - Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona. Fans trolled her for not having a tattoo of Argentina legend Lionel Messi

WATCH: Lionel Messi's most watched goal for Inter Miami in America

Messi's second goal, for Inter Miami, just 22 minutes into the game against Atlanta United attained record 3.4 billion views in America

WATCH: Messi vs Ronaldo - Rafael Nadal picks the best footballer in world

Nadal has been spending quality with his family after announcing that he would not play any competitive tennis in 2023 ahead of the French Open tournament early this year.

Messi scores game-winning goal on free kick in his Inter Miami debut

Some people paid hundreds of dollars to be able to say they were in the stadium for Lionel Messi's debut for Inter Miami. Some paid thousands for their seats. The team's owners committed well over $100 million just to have a chance at moments like this. So far, it looks like money well spent. From the you-can't-make-this-up department, Messi capped the opening night with his new club by delivering the unforgettable. His magical left foot sent a free kick into the upper left corner of the net in the 94th minute Friday night, giving Inter Miami a 2-1 win over Mexican club Cruz Azul in a Legends Cup match. What I saw was the goal, Messi said in an on-field interview amid the postgame celebration. I saw the goal. I knew that I had to score. He makes it sound so easy. Made it look so easy, too. The game's greatest active player a seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and a World Cup champion sent the ball over a wall of four Cruz Azul defenders for the winning goal, unquestionably the greate

Jorge Mas: The billionaire who convinced Messi to pick MLS over Saudi

With Lionel Messi and Apple Inc. on his side, the 60-year-old construction executive is seeking to upend the business of US soccer and make it a lot more profitable

Argentina's Lionel Messi introduced by Inter Miami and Major League Soccer

Lionel Messi walked out from behind a curtain, took a few steps along a rain-slicked runaway set up over the field at Inter Miami's stadium and headed toward David Beckham for a big hug. His journey was complete. Inter Miami's wait was over. At long last, Messi has arrived. Inter Miami after years of plotting, pleading and hoping introduced arguably the game's biggest star on Sunday night, presenting their new franchise player with his pink No. 10 jersey that millions of people will be buying over the coming weeks and months. "I'm sure we're going to have many wonderful experiences, Messi told the crowd. Sunday was the first one. Almost every seat was filled despite horrible weather conditions that delayed the show, and nobody seemed to mind soaking rain that pounded down throughout the evening. I'm very much moved to be here in Miami, to be with you, Messi said. I want to thank you, all of you, on behalf of my family, for the kindness that you have given me. Beckham, the team

Lionel Messi reunites with Barcelona teammate Busquets at Inter Miami

Barcelona's iconic midfielder Sergio Busquets has signed a two-year deal with the Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami

Messi makes it official by signing with Inter Miami and Major League Soccer

Lionel Messi has finalised his deal to join Major League Soccer, and after years of planning and pursuing, Inter Miami has landed a global icon. Messi's contract became official Saturday, a little more than five weeks after he declared that he would be coming to Inter Miami. The team will introduce him Sunday night at its stadium in Fort Lauderdale, and the first home match of the Messi era could be as early as Friday in a Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul. A formal news conference is scheduled for Monday, and his first training session with his new club is expected on Tuesday. The club previously announced that Messi's deal will be for 2 1/2 seasons and will pay him between $50 million and $60 million annually putting the total contract value between $125 million and $150 million in cash alone. "BIENVENIDO 10," the team posted Saturday on Twitter. Welcome, Messi, indeed. We are overjoyed that the greatest player in the world chose Inter Miami CF and Major League Soccer, and hi