Lionel Messi could not contain his emotions at the final whistle in Atlanta as Argentina staged a sensational late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2. After watching old rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar suffer painful exits in previous matches, the Inter Miami star shed tears of joy as the reigning champions secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi made amends for missing a second penalty at the 2026 World Cup by inspiring the most dramatic of comebacks, as Argentina came from 2-0 down with just over 10 minutes remaining to beat a heroic Egypt side 3-2 in a last-16 clash for the ages in Atlanta. Lionel Scaloni's side started as sluggishly as they had performed in their lucky win over Cape Verde by the same scoreline, and Egypt took advantage, with an unmarked Yasser Ibrahim burying a cross from Marwan Attia past Emiliano Martinez with just 15 minutes gone.
Cristiano Ronaldo has always been a man who thrives under the bright lights of the stadium, but his future could lie under the even brighter lights of Hollywood. According to former France international Emmanuel Petit, the Portuguese superstar possesses a unique quality that his career-long rival Lionel Messi simply lacks.
Lionel Messi has etched his name into the record books once again, though this time for reasons he would much rather forget. During Argentina's high-stakes World Cup clash against Egypt, the legendary forward set a new tournament benchmark that highlights a rare vulnerability from 12 yards.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has called for Kylian Mbappe to test himself in the Premier League before his career concludes. Barry believes the Frenchman should make the move to the Etihad Stadium to ensure he does not mirror Lionel Messi in never playing in England's top flight.
Before he was an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and a world champion, Lionel Messi was already a living legend in the streets of Rosario. Long before he moved to Barcelona's La Masia, the "tiny magician" was making enough waves at Newell's Old Boys that the club’s senior professionals would halt their schedules just to catch a glimpse of his genius.
Cameroon legend Roger Milla has delivered a fascinating verdict on the enduring brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as they continue to defy biological limits at the 2026 World Cup. The man who famously holds the record for the oldest scorer in tournament history has admitted that while playing until 50 remains unrealistic, he is ready to see his historic milestone surpassed by the two modern icons.
Lionel Messi has taken some well-deserved time away from the intensity of the 2026 World Cup to reunite with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their three sons. The Argentine captain enjoyed a brief break in Miami as the Albiceleste prepare for another match in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Barcelona star Pedri has hailed the "crazy" form of Lionel Messi at the 2026 World Cup while admitting he dreams of a blockbuster final showdown against the Argentine icon. The Spain international is currently preparing for a titanic round of 16 clash against Portugal, but his eyes are already drifting toward a potential reunion with the man he considers the greatest of all time.
The meteoric rise of young stars like Lamine Yamal has reignited the debate about who could inherit the throne left by the two greatest legends of modern football. However, former player Tonito warns that reaching the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo requires a consistency that few in history have managed to demonstrate over decades.
Jamie Carragher believes Harry Kane deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or based on his performances over the past year. However, the former Liverpool defender argues that the award is likely to go to Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappe if Argentina or France lift the World Cup, leaving England’s captain at a disadvantage.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has opened up about a touching exchange with Lionel Messi following his side's heartbreaking World Cup exit at the hands of Argentina. Despite the minnows falling to a narrow defeat, the shot-stopper’s exceptional performance did not go unnoticed by the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Lionel Messi laughed off the physical treatment he received from Cape Verde after Argentina edged into the World Cup last 16. The Albiceleste captain joked that his opponents "kick the crap" out of him before asking for shirts and selfies, while also admitting his side fell below their usual standards.
Cristian Romero scored an extra-time winner, Lionel Messi grabbed a goal, but Argentina were given a real scare by Cape Verde in an uncomfortable 3-2 win to advance to the World Cup Round of 16. Argentina surrendered the lead twice, and needed extra time to finally gain daylight from a Cape Verde side that, in truth, deserved so much more.
Harry Kane has become Lionel Messi-esque for England in terms of his value to the collective cause, with Stan Collymore explaining to GOAL why that is a good thing and how the Three Lions’ record goalscorer is benefitting from a mindset that others have lacked. The prolific Bayern Munich frontman is leading another bid for World Cup glory at present, with a star-studded squad often being carried on his back.
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