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Lionel Messi news

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Lamine Yamal

Yamal beats Mbappe to CIES Football Observatory 'Golden Ball'

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been named “Golden Ball” winner by CIES Football Observatory, with Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe claiming the runner-up spot. There is no place in the top five for Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele despite the World Cup-winning France international being favourite to land the coveted Ballon d’Or in 2025.

Inter Miami CF v D.C. United

Messi's magic bails out Miami in 3-2 win over D.C. United

At 38, Lionel Messi can still learn new tricks. In a rare flash of direct play, the Argentine’s two goals and clever assist set the tone in a 3-1 win over a stubborn D.C. United on Saturday night, giving Inter Miami their first winning streak in MLS since July. Still, it wasn’t straightforward, with Christian Benteke making things interesting in the second half.

Lionel Messi David Beckham Inter Miami 2025

Messi urged to copy Beckham & own a MLS team

Lionel Messi is being urged to follow David Beckham's example and become an owner when his playing career in MLS is over. A new contract for the Argentine superstar at Inter Miami is being speculated on, with American soccer eager to see the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner remain part of their brand for the foreseeable future. It could be that he stays on for many years to come.

FBL-WC-2026-SAMERICA-QUALIFIERS-ARG-VEN

Messi's Argentina knocked off top of FIFA rankings

Lamine Yamal's Spain have stormed back to the summit of international football, claiming top spot from Lionel Messi's Argentina in the latest FIFA men's world rankings for the first time since 2014. Their rise comes after victories over Turkey and Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying, ending the world champions' two-year reign at the top, as they slip to third following a costly defeat to Ecuador, with France moving up to second.

Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo

'Genetic difference' between Ronaldo & Messi starting to show

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have enjoyed a long-running rivalry after dominating world football for two decades. Both superstars are now entering the twilight of their careers, with former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen claiming the 40-year-old Portugal international is now in better physical condition than Inter Miami's World Cup winner.

Inter Miami CF v Seattle Sounders FC

Messi and Alba team up to send message to Seattle in rematch

Inter Miami had won just once in their last four, but Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba made sure that skid didn’t hit four straight, leading an emphatic 3-1 win over the Seattle Sounders. Billed as a Leagues Cup final rematch from two weeks ago, the Herons looked intent on sending a message after being blanked in back-to-back games for the first time with Messi on the squad.

Nico Paz Lionel Messi 2025

Como sensation Paz trying to 'replicate' Messi YouTube videos

Como sensation Nico Paz admits to watching Lionel Messi videos on YouTube as he attempts to “replicate” what the Inter Miami superstar is capable of. Paz is now an Argentina international team-mate of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, but continues to use his illustrious fellow countryman as a source of inspiration when it comes to enhancing his own game.

Lionel Messi World Cup trophy

Messi will 'easily' make 2026 World Cup with Argentina

Lionel Messi’s presence at the 2026 World Cup has been called into question, but Argentina team-mate Cristian Romero claims the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner will “easily” make it to that event. The all-time great has, at 38 years of age, conceded that fitness concerns could lead to him missing out on the defence of a global title in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Mbappe-Messi

Mbappe sent Messi reality check by Marseille rival

Kylian Mbappe received a Lionel Messi reality check from Leonardo Balerdi ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille. Balerdi believes that Argentina team-mate Messi "will be the best player in the world until he retires", though he does admit Kylian Mbappe is among the top players in the game right now.

Frequently asked questions

Declan Rice primarily plays as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal, either as a single pivot or in a double-pivot formation. More recently, though, he has been used in a bit more advanced position as an #8, thanks to his progressive ball-carrying and goalscoring abilities.

Declan Rice was born in Kingston upon Thames in the Greater London region in England.

The English international dons the No. 41 jersey at his current club Arsenal. In an episode of The Overlap in 2022, where he had a chat with Gary Neville, Rice explained that 41 was a number given to his by his kit man at his previous club, West Ham United, and that he continues to wear it because he's superstitious.

The Arsenal man is 1.88m (6ft 2in) tall, and is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world at the moment.

Declan Rice weighs 80kg (176 lbs) and is a physically dominant force in midfield.

Declan Rice spent the majority of his youth career at Chelsea (2006-2013), before spending two years in West Ham United's youth setup.

Declan Rice and long-term girlfriend Lauren Fryer welcomed their first child, son Jude, in August 2022.

Declan Rice hasn't exchanged vows yet, but he has been dating childhood sweetheart Lauren Fryer since 2016.