Cristiano Ronaldo's Return: Fans Enthralled as Messi Chants Echo Stadium In 2017, Cristiano Ronaldo's heroics led Real Madrid to victory in the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi. Now, years later, Ronaldo finds himself back in the UAE, this time representing Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr against Al Ain FC in an AFC Asian Champions League quarterfinal showdown. Expectations were high as fans anticipated the arrival of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, hoping to witness his magic on the field. While some
Amidst speculation surrounding his absence from a recent Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi took to one of China's largest social media platforms to address the controversy. Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians, and fans expressed disappointment when Messi appeared in a friendly match in Tokyo just three days later. As a result, Hangzhou and Beijing announced their decision not to host Argentina games scheduled for March, further escalating the situation. In an effort to clarify the circumstances, Lionel Messireleased a
Australia, undeterred by facing football legend Lionel Messi in recent months, now gears up to meet South Korea's Son Heung-Min in the Asian Cup quarterfinal. While maintaining respect for Son's prowess, the Socceroos exhibit confidence after their defensive resilience against global megastars, emphasizing their stout defense and physical advantage ahead of the crucial clash. In a dramatic Asian Cup quarterfinal setup, Australia readies itself for a showdown against South Korea, marked by a 99th-minute equalizer in Korea's previous game against Saudi Arabia. Australia's
Lionel Messi has already proved to be a team player at his new club Inter Miami as the Argentine forward surprised a team mate in the players’ group chat by providing a timely assist with tickets to his presentation on Sunday. Not even the pouring rain could spoil Messi’s welcome party last weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the new face of Major League Soccer (MLS) was introduced to a packed stadium of adoring fans. The new team mates of the seven-time Ballon
Lionel Messi arrived in Major League Soccer (MLS) and Inter Miami’s wait was finally over during the ‘unveil’ on Monday morning. Messi, who 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 then met David Beckham for a big hug. “I’m very much moved to be here in Miami, to be with you,” said Messi before adding, “I want to thank you, all of you, on behalf of
Lionel Messi is set to play his first game for Inter Miami on July 21 when the Major League Soccer side hosts Mexico’s Cruz Azul in their Leagues Cup opener, managing owner Jorge Mas told the Miami Herald newspaper on Tuesday. The Leagues Cup is an annual competition between MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX clubs. Messi and Miami have agreed terms on a deal and are finalising paperwork and visas after the Argentine great’s announcement this month of his intention to join the
Former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player Jerome Rothen has taken shots at Lionel Messi again and claimed that the Argentine came to Ligue 1 just for money. He added that the only reason to leave Barcelona was because the Camp Nou side could not afford to pay what he wanted. Messi joined PSG in 2021 after Barcelona could not offer him a new deal. The Argentine had a poor first season but has done well this time around with 15 goals, and as many
As a tribute to the Brazilian football great Pele, PSG’s players including Lionel Messi and Neymar warmed up wearing T-shirts with Pelé’s face ahead of the Ligue 1 match against Angers at the Parc dess Princes on Wednesday. Pele, who won a record three World Cups, died in late December at the age of 82. Before kick-off, the players gave a minute of applause for Pele as well. The Brazil legend had passed away of cancer on December 29, 2022 in Sao Paulo.
Lionel Messi fulfilled his dream of lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy when Argentina defeat France in the final of the global event on December 18. One of the greatest footballers of the present generation, Messi had only won 1 major international trophy since his debut. He added another feather to his cap when Argentina lifted the trophy in Qatar. Messi has been enjoying his time away from the game since the final. But he is taking care of his fans and followers.
Lionel Messi has confirmed he will play his last World Cup game when Argentina takes on France or Morocco in Sunday's final in Qatar. Messi leads Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia in their semi-final on Tuesday and will earn his 172nd cap at the weekend when he tries to bring the country its first World Cup title since 1986. "I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in
Croatia has already ended Neymar's World Cup dream. Now they hope to do the same to Lionel Messi. Croatia, runners-up in 2018, are the next obstacle for Argentina to overcome on Tuesday in the semifinals as Messi aims to win the one major trophy that has eluded him. But Croatia, who lost to France in the final in Russia, are on their own mission to go one step further this time around. "I don't think we need to fear anybody. We need to
Lionel Messi is creating a holding company to invest in sports, media and technology globally. Based in San Francisco, Play Time Sports-Tech HoldCo LLC will be Messi’s main investment vehicle, according to a statement. The company will explore “stage agnostic” opportunities that could include, for example, helping startup founders build soccer-tech companies or investing in teams. Messi said in a statement, "I am excited to extend our roots into Silicon Valley, and I am thrilled that Play Time will collaborate with daring entrepreneurs
Tickets for two games featuring Lionel Messi’s Argentina have been the top attractions for fans at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, according to the chief organiser. Argentina’s first round group games against arch-rivals Mexico on November 26 and Saudi Arabia on November 22 were the “most requested”, Nasser Al Khater, CEO of the Qatar organising committee, told the QNA national news agency. Both matches will be at the 80,000-capacity Lusail stadium, where the World Cup final will be staged on December 18.
Argentina were without Lionel Messi but goals from Angel Di Maria and Lautaro Martinez gave the visitors all three points against Chile in a World Cup qualifier on January 27. Argentina, who have already qualified for Qatar, opted to rest Messi after his COVID-19 infection but his Paris Saint Germain team mate Di Maria stepped up to give them the lead with a trademark curling shot from outside the box after 10 minutes. Chile’s English-born striker Ben Brereton equalised just over 10 minutes
Lionel Messi has tested negative for Covid-19 and is now back in France and will resume training "in the coming days", Paris Saint-Germain announced on Wednesday. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner tested positive for the virus while in his native Argentina last week but flew back to Paris on Wednesday. He missed PSG's 4-0 French Cup win against Vannes on Monday. The club did not say if Messi would be available for their first Ligue 1 match since the winter break, at Lyon
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at a "disrespectful" claim that his only remaining ambition is to win the Ballon d'Or more times than Lionel Messi. Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at a "disrespectful" claim that his only remaining ambition is to win the Ballon d'Or more times than Lionel Messi. Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi won the prestigious award for a seventh time on Monday. Ronaldo, who finished sixth in this year's voting, has earned the Ballon d'Or
Argentina's Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world for a record-stretching seventh time on Monday, beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift soccer's most prestigious trophy yet again. The forward added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 trophies after winning the Copa America for the first time with his country last July. "It's incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was
Xavi Hernandez, who took over as the new manager of FC Barcelona, revealed that his former teammate and friend Lionel Messi texted him and congratulated him after he became the club's new boss. Xavi Hernandez said Barcelona's players will have to play by his rules and raise their standards as the club's new coach laid down a firm message at his unveiling on Monday. Xavi was presented in front of almost 10,000 fans at Camp Nou before signing his contract on the pitch,
Lionel Messi scored two second-half goals as Paris Saint-Germain fought back to beat RB Leipzig 3-2 when the sides met in Paris two weeks ago. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi will miss Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with RB Leipzig due to injury, his club confirmed Tuesday. The 34-year-old six-time Ballon d'Or winner has a problem with his left hamstring and a painful knee, PSG said, and sits out Wednesday's match away to Leipzig. The Argentinian scored two second-half goals as PSG fought back
Lionel Messi opened the scoring as Argentina thumped neighbors Uruguay 3-0 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Lionel Messi opened the scoring as Argentina thumped neighbors Uruguay 3-0 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier on Sunday. Goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Lautaro Martinez rounded off a successful night for Lionel Scaloni's team in Buenos Aires as they maintained their unbeaten start to the qualification campaign and closed the gap at the top of the single South American table to six