Lionel Messi

Argentina minus Messi beats Chile to lead South American WC qualifying

Without injured Lionel Messi and the retired ngel Di Mara, Argentina eased past Chile 3-0 to remain on top of the South American 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 48, Julin lvarez added a goal in the 84th and Paulo Dybala capped the scoring in the 90th for the Argentinians, who have 18 points after the first seven rounds. The top six teams in the South American standings will qualify for the World Cup which will be played in the United States, Mxico and Canada in 2026, The team that finishes seventh will advance to a playoff against another confederation. After winning the Copa America in the United States, Argentina overcame the absence of the 37-year-old Messi, who suffered a right ankle injury in the final against Colombia. His future playing status remains uncertain. Di Mara, who has retired from the national team, was honored by fans and his teammates before the match was played at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The 37-year-old Di M

Messi joins Inter Miami training for first time since ankle injury

Lionel Messi returned to group training with Inter Miami on Wednesday, more than six weeks after the Argentina captain left the Copa America final with a badly sprained right ankle. There is still no official timetable for when Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, will play again for Inter Miami which has the best record in Major League Soccer so far this season. Inter Miami visits Chicago on Saturday, then doesn't return to MLS play until a Sept. 14 match with Philadelphia. If Messi doesn't play this weekend, that means he'd have two more weeks to continue rehabbing before returning to game action. Messi was not selected by Argentina to play in World Cup qualifiers in early September. To see him on the field is great, Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender said after the Wednesday workout. I know he's been getting treatment every single day, training every single day. He's dealt with things before. He's been there, done that and he's still doing it at the highest level. To se

No Messi in Argentina's squad for WC qualifiers against Chile and Colombia

Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina's next two World Cup qualifiers because of injury. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced his 28-man squad on Monday for the matches against Chile on September 5 and Colombia five days later. Messi is still recovering from a right ankle injury. The 36-year-old ngel Di Mara, who retired from the national team after winning the recent Copa America, is not on the list either. World Cup champion Argentina leads South American qualifying with 15 points after six matches. Squad: Goalkeepers: Walter Bentez (PSV Eindhoven), Gernimo Rulli (Olympique Marseille), Juan Musso (Atalanta), Emiliano Martnez (Aston Villa). Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Germn Pezzella (River Plate), Leonardo Balerdi (Olympique Marseille), Nicols Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martnez (Manchester United), Nicols Tagliafico (Olympique Lyon), Valentn Barco (Brighton). Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Roma), Gu

Messi asked to apologise for Argentina players' racist chant post win

Lionel Messi faced calls to apologize for racist chants made by Argentina's players after they won the Copa America. An Argentinean government official said Messi, who is the team captain, and the president of the country's soccer federation, Claudio Tapia, should apologize after a video was shared on social media showing members of Argentina's triumphant squad singing a racist chant about French players with African heritage. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he was truly sorry for the incident and his Premier League club Chelsea said it had begun disciplinary action, describing discriminatory behavior as completely unacceptable. It is unclear from the video if Messi widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time participated in the chant. But Argentina's sports sub-secretary, Julio Garro, said he should say sorry. The national team captain must also come out to apologize for this case. The same AFA (Argentina Football Association) president," Garro said in radio

Messi exits Copa America final in 64th minute with apparent leg injury

Lionel Messi's night ended early during the Copa America final when he emotionally exited the field in the 64th minute with an apparent leg injury. The 37-year-old appeared to suffer a noncontact injury while running full speed on the pitch as defending champ Argentina remained in a scoreless match against Colombia. Messi immediately looked toward the Argentina bench as he went to the ground. He remained down for several minutes as trainers came out. He was helped to his feet and immediately took his shoe off his right foot. As he walked off the field, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took off his captains armband and threw his shoe to the ground in frustration. An emotional Messi was then shown covering his face, sobbing in his seat. Messi went down in the first half after landing awkwardly when chasing a ball out of bounds. He rolled over several times as he grabbed at his lower right leg. Trainers worked on the area for a few minutes before helping him to his feet. He walked ..

Spain's birthday boy Lamine Yamal wins Euro 2024 & best young player award

Spain's teenage phenom Lamine Yamal won the European Championship and the tournament's best young player award just a day after he turned 17. Yamal earned it mostly while he was still 16, but he crowned his contribution to Spain's success by setting up Nico Williams' opening goal in a 2-1 win over England in the final on Sunday. This is the best (birthday) gift I could have asked for. It's a dream come true, Yamal said. It got tough when they tied the score, but I don't know what this team is made of because we always fight back. England substitute Cole Palmer had equalized for England, but Mikel Oyarzabal clinched Spain's win in the 86th. Yamal set up Williams to score in the 47th by drifting inside Luke Shaw and playing the ball across to the left for the Athletic Bilbao winger to hit first time inside the far post. Yamal also brought two good saves from England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Lamine is incredible, as you've all seen during this tournament, Williams said. The sky'

Copa America winners, runner-ups list, prize money; Argentina's titles win

Check Copa America 2024 winners, runner-ups and their prize money here. Find the answer of which team won most Copa America titles here

Messi to start against Canada in Copa America semifinal: Coach Scaloni

Lionel Messi won't be stopped by a leg injury and will play in Argentina's Copa America semifinal against Canada on Tuesday night. Messi has been dealing with a right leg problem since the group stage win over Chile on June 25. He missed the first-round finale four days later but played the entire match in the quarterfinal victory over Ecuador last Thursday. "Leo is good. He will be playing tomorrow, Albiceleste coach Lionel Scaloni said Monday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. At 37, Messi has 13 Copa America goals and is four behind the record shared by Argentina's Norberto Mndez and Brazil's Zizinho but hasn't scored in this year's tournament. It's an easy decision for me, Scaloni said. It's a fairly honest decision: I ask him how he feels. If he says I'm not good,' then he will play the last 30 minutes. When he's available, he will play. Seeking a record 16th Copa America title, Argentina beat Canada 2-0 in the June 20 tournament opener when Messi set up ...

Copa America 2024: Argentina beat Chile 1-0, seal quarterfinal place

Lautaro Martinez scored off a rebound in the 88th minute, giving defending champion Argentina and Lionel Messi a 1-0 victory over Chile that guaranteed them a berth in the Copa America quarterfinals. Messi's corner kick led to a shot blocked by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, and Martnez scored his second goal of the tournament on Argentina's 21st shot of the match. Players stood and waited for three minutes while the goal, Martnez's 26th for the national team, was confirmed in a video review. Argentina leads Group A with six points, followed by Canada with six, and Chile and Peru with one each. The Albiceleste finishes the first round against Peru at Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, when Canada meets Chile in Orlando, Florida. Playing a day after his 37th birthday, Messi frequently flaunted his talent to spin around and slalom through defenders before an adoring sellout crowd of 81,106 at MetLife Stadium, site of the 2026 World Cup final. Argentina dominated 21-3 in shots and 11-0 i

Messi could be playing his final tournament with Argentina at Copa America

It's sad but true, Copa America could mark Lionel Messi's final chapter with Argentina's national soccer team. The World Cup winner will turn 37 during the tournament in the United States, which kicks off Thursday. He's clearly past his peak at Inter Miami after two decades of playing at the highest level in Europe. Messi has not set a date for his retirement and has kept the door open to playing in a sixth World Cup in 2026 to defend his title from Qatar. But he already recognizes his shortcomings. I don't think about that yet. The moment I feel that I am not going to help my team, I will retire, Messi said in March in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Riyad Season. I always ate well, trained. But as I grew I became aware that the physical effort we make is getting harder. As you grow old, things become more difficult. Last year, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner struggled with muscular injuries while playing in MLS and for Argentina. That didn't change much in 2024. Messi has

Kohli's social media presence on par with Ronaldo, Messi, says Ross Taylor

Over the past couple of years, Kohli's influence in the world of cricket as well as on social media has increased tremendously

Lionel Messi out of Argentina friendlies in the US due to muscle injury

Lionel Messi will not play in Argentina's two friendlies in the United States this month due to a right leg muscle injury, the Argentine Football Association said on Monday. The captain was injured last week while playing for his Inter Miami club in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The 36-year-old Messi will miss Argentina vs. El Salvador on Friday in Philadelphia and a friendly against Costa Rica four days later in Los Angeles, AFA said in a statement. Both games are warmups for Argentina for the Copa America in June-July, which will also be in the U.S. Argentina had already lost striker Paulo Dybala and midfielder Exequiel Palacios to injuries.

Messi's Argentina to play against Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26

Lionel Messi's Argentina will play Costa Rica rather than Nigeria in an exhibition on March 26 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the latest change for a match that has switched location and opponent. The World Cup champion originally was to face Nigeria at Hangzhou and Ivory Coast at Beijing during a tour of China from March 18-26. That tour was canceled after Lionel Messi didn't play at Inter Miami's preseason game in Hong Kong. Argentina last week announced matches against El Salvador on March 22 at Philadelphia's Lincoln Field and Nigeria four days later in Los Angeles. The Argentina Football Association said Tuesday the latest change was caused by administrative problems with visas. Messi said before Miami's friendly against a local all-star team in Hong Kong on Feb. 4 that he had a groin injury, and his absence sparked spectator anger. He played three days later in Tokyo in an exhibition against Vissel Kobe. Argentina also has friendlies against Ecuador on June 9 at Chicag

Lionel Messi nominated again for Laureus World Sportsman of Year Award

Superstar footballer Lionel Messi was on Monday nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, as he returned to the shortlist after winning the coveted honour last year. The Argentine captain, who lifted the World Cup trophy in 2022, won his record eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023 and led Major League Soccer side Inter Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup for his 44th trophy, another record. The 25th Laureus World Sports Awards will be held here on April 22. Messi will face competition from Manchester City's prolific striker Erling Haaland (Norway), tennis superstar Novak Djokovic (Serbia), world record holder pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis (Sweden), world champion sprinter Noah Lyles (USA) and Formula One star Max Verstappen (Netherlands). Djokovic, who has won the Award four times earlier, clinched three Grand Slam titles -- Australian Open, French Open and US Open -- in 2023 to move to 24 major titles, matching Margaret Court for the all-time mark in tennis. Verstappen, w

Messi now has 500 million followers on Instagram; check who is ahead of him

Argentina footballer, Lionel Messi, now has more than 500 million followers on Instagram. He is only behind his arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi gets an assist, Inter Miami win MLS season opener vs Real Salt Lake

Lionel Messi had two Real Salt Lake defenders on either side of him, two more a few yards in front of him. He quickly tapped the ball away from them all with his left foot, to a spot where only teammate Robert Taylor could reach. Moments later, Inter Miami had the first goal of the Major League Soccer season. Taylor's goal in the 39th minute set the tone, Diego Gmez added an insurance score in the 83rd minute and Inter Miami to start Messi's first full season with the club opened the 29th season of MLS with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night. Messi was in midseason form, darting through and around defenders, almost giving the sellout crowd what they wanted to see by nearly scoring on a free kick and then a corner kick midway through the first half. I think the eyes of the world are on Inter Miami, and I'm hoping that they're able to deliver on that and whatever expectations people have, said MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who was at Wednesday's match. Mostly, I'd just

Argentina friendly in mainland China cancelled over Messi's absence in HK

An Argentina soccer friendly in China next month was cancelled on Friday in more fallout from Lionel Messi failing to play in a club exhibition match in Hong Kong. World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, last month scheduled a tour of China during the international break from March 18-26. Games were lined up against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing. Both opponents are coincidentally meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations final this weekend. But Messi, on tour with his Inter Miami club, outraged fans in Hong Kong when he didn't play against a local selection last Sunday and remained on the bench. Messi said he had a groin injury. But his excuse didn't wash in Hong Kong after he played for 30 minutes on Wednesday in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe. On Friday, the sports bureau in Hangzhou canceled the Argentina-Nigeria friendly. "Because of the reasons known to all, we've learned from supervising authorities that the conditions are immature for the match to go forwa

Organizers offer refunds as fans get angry over Messi's absence in HK

The organizer of a much-hyped soccer match that intended to showcase Lionel Messi in Hong Kong said Friday it would offer a partial refund following days of backlash from angry fans and the government over the absence of the World Cup winner. The grievances from Hong Kong fans stemming from Messi staying on the bench for the full 90 minutes in the game against a local team due to a groin injury earlier this week has spread to mainland China after the Argentina star put in a 30-minute game appearance in Tokyo in Inter Miami's latest exhibition match in Asia on Wednesday. Over the past two days, many social media users in mainland China expressed their disappointment over Messi's no-show, with China's state-run newspaper, the Global Times, publishing an editorial that said the impact of the controversy surrounding the football star has far exceeded the realm of sports. In an Instagram post on Friday, local organizer Tatler Asia apologized to those who were disappointed by the match an

Messi's Inter Miami beaten by Japanese club Vissel Kobe 4-3 on penalties

After leaving fans disappointed in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi put in a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo on Wednesday in Inter Miami's latest exhibition match in Asia although he still left some supporters wanting more. Messi came off the bench for the final half hour, energized his teammates and probably had the best chance of the match in the 80th with two point-blank shots that were both stopped by the Vissel Kobe defence. After a 0-0 draw in regulation, the match went to penalty kicks and Vissel won the shootout 4-3. Messi did not take a penalty, however, which brought jeers from the crowd of 28,614 in Tokyo's National Stadium, which seats 68,000. But, it wasn't close to the level of booing that broke out in Hong Kong after Messi stayed on the bench for the entire game with a groin injury. Some fans demanded refunds. The Argentina star was contrite in a rare press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday as he addressed the public relations disaster. He had said he wasn't sure whether he would

Anger over Lionel Messi's behaviour grows in China before Japan game

Many commentators drew comparisons between Messi's behaviour in Hong Kong and his demeanor in Japan, where he is scheduled to play in a friendly on Wednesday evening.