Lionel Messiâs fallout with Barcelona remains one of footballâs most controversial chapters. Former vice-president Jordi Mestre has now revealed that Messi was âvery, very angryâ with club president Joan Laporta over how his exit was handled and wanted Neymar to be brought back after his world-record sale to Paris Saint-Germain. Mestre's revelations shed further light on the internal tensions that defined a turbulent Barca era.
Former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has explained how he thought his life was effectively over after being sentenced to three months in prison back in 2005. Speaking on episode nine of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Pennant reveals how he broke down after the shock of being incarcerated had sunk in, while he also discusses how he spent the night partying before his first Premier League start for the Gunners, as well as much, much more.
David Beckham has shared images of the heartwarming moment in which his mother met Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi for the first time. The eight-time Ballon dâOr winner has been in the United States since 2023, with a stunning move being made to South Florida, but he has only just rubbed shoulders with members of Beckhamâs immediate family.
Former USMNT star Herculez Gomez sparked debate by saying Carlos Vela's record-setting 2019 campaign was more impressive than Lionel Messi's current Golden Boot-winning season, despite the Argentine's contributing to 48 goals in just 28 appearances. Vela scored 34 goals and contributed to 49 goals in 31 games in 2019.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham all earned nods from Harry Kane in an exclusive quickfire question session with GOAL that saw the Bayern Munich striker name the best player he has played against and his boyhood idol. The England captain also picked out the best passer of a ball that he has ever seen and the young talent that he is most excited about watching develop.
Lionel Messi has been told he's better equipped for the boxing ring than eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo. Former WBC men's heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder's ex-trainer Malik Scott has shared his thoughts on the two footballing superstars and how they may fare in the ring if they fancied a change in profession after hanging up their prolific boots.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been crowned as the most marketable footballer in the world, ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham, in SportsPro's 16th annual ranking. The study, which includes sportspeople from multiple disciplines, named Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton as the most marketable athlete, with Ronaldo finishing fifth overall, ahead of sixth-placed Neymar.
After closing out the MLS regular season on a dominant streak, Inter Miami CF star Lionel Messi has been named MLS Player of the Month for October 2025, following a stunning run of five goals and five assists in his last three matches. Thanks to his influence, the Herons finished the month with a perfect record of three wins and no losses, securing third place in the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi is ânearing the end of a wonderful storyâ, admits Javier Saviola, but the Argentine GOAT is considered to have one more World Cup left in him. Messi has played cards close to his chest regarding possible involvement at the 2026 finals, but the expectation is that he will form part of the Albiceleste squad when they stage a defence of their global crown next summer.
Lionel Messi has another record to add to his collection, with the history books being rewritten in MLS. The Argentine GOAT continues to deliver magical performances for Inter Miami on a regular basis. The most recent of those saw him net a hat-trick against Nashville, with those heroics earning the South American icon a historic Player of the Matchday award.
Lionel Messi proved his class once again when sending a heartfelt message to Argentinaâs promising youngsters after seeing them suffer an agonising defeat to Morocco in the FIFA U20 World Cup final. The Albiceleste are the current holders of the global crown at senior level and had been hoping to capture another in the youth ranks. Messi has offered his support after seeing that dream crushed in dramatic fashion.
An update on Lionel Messiâs contract situation at Inter Miami claims that âfinal detailsâ are in the process of being thrashed out. It has been reported for some time that the Argentine GOAT is preparing to commit his future to the Herons. They are understandably keen to get a deal done as Messi looks to make history as the first player to claim back-to-back MVP awards in MLS.
Lionel Messi has claimed Major League Soccerâs Golden Boot, finishing the season with 29 goals to outpace Nashville SCâs Sam Surridge and LAFCâs Denis Bouanga, who each scored 24. Itâs the Argentineâs first MLS Golden Boot, after narrowly missing out last year to D.C. Unitedâs Christian Benteke by three goals.
Lionel Messiâs hat-trick powered Inter Miami to a 5-2 road win over Nashville SC to close out the MLS regular season in style, securing third place in the Eastern Conference. The Argentine star now sits on 29 goals, strengthening his case for a second straight MVP. The two sides will meet again in the first round of the playoffs.
Lionel Messi closed the regular season in style, solidifying his grip on the Golden Boot with 29 goals - not that there was ever much doubt. Still, the Inter Miami star wasnât content to coast. In what might have been his best performance of 2025, Messi put Nashville to the sword in a 5-2 win, sending a clear message to the rest of MLS ahead of the playoffs: look out.