Leandro Paredes has sent shockwaves through the footballing world after revealing that Lionel Messi viewed the 2026 World Cup final as his farewell to international football. The Inter Miami superstar was left in tears following Argentina's defeat to Spain, and his long-time team-mate has now shed light on the captain's mindset during that emotional night in North America.
Lionel Messi will once again be the notable absentee from the MLS All-Star Game this week in Charlotte, but the Inter Miami superstar is set to avoid the disciplinary action that followed his withdrawal last year. Despite being named to the roster for the showpiece event against the Liga MX All-Stars, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been granted special leave alongside international team-mate Rodrigo De Paul.
Lionel Messi could have represented Brazil instead of Argentina, according to a three-year historical investigation into his maternal lineage. The Inter Miami star, who inspired La Albiceleste to the 2026 World Cup final before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Spain, was also eligible to play for Italy and Spain during his iconic career.
Juan Roman Riquelme has hailed Lionel Messi following Argentina's run to the 2026 World Cup final, even suggesting the captain may have surpassed Diego Maradona. The Boca president also praised Lionel Scaloni before offering his verdict on Argentina's defeat to Spain.
Lionel Messi's playing days for Argentina may be drawing to a close, but a leading South American football journalist believes the icon could stick around in a different "Master Yoda" capacity, guiding heir apparent Nico Paz through the transition as the Albiceleste's next generation takes shape.
Karim Adeyemi has officially joined the Hansi Flick project at Barcelona, arriving as the club’s second high-profile signing of the summer following Anthony Gordon. The Germany international has wasted no time in setting his sights on Champions League glory while offering a fascinating perspective on his new team-mate Lamine Yamal.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to have taken in their “last dance” at the World Cup finals, former France international Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL. Two all-time greats featured at the 2026 event, as their evergreen exploits thrill audiences across the globe, but Argentina and Portugal may be without their respective GOATs when the 2030 tournament rolls around.
Luis Suarez stepped up in the absence of Lionel Messi to score twice and guide Inter Miami to a 3-2 victory over Chicago Fire, spoiling Robert Lewandowski's MLS debut. After the match, Herons manager Guillermo Hoyos praised the Uruguayan veteran, comparing his tactical intelligence to that of his iconic Argentine team-mate.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have never been team-mates, but Mikael Silvestre has told GOAL that it would “make sense” for two GOATs to be kept apart in MLS if CR7 were to join his eternal rival in the United States. There has been talk of a remarkable union being pieced together at Inter Miami, but not everybody is convinced that a couple of iconic figures should grace the same team.
Lionel Messi's leadership has often been defined by his actions on the pitch, but new details have emerged regarding his vocal role in the dressing room during Argentina's 2026 World Cup campaign. Following a viral video that captured the legendary No.10 delivering a focused message to his squad before the final against Spain, fans and theorists alike began to wonder if there was a hidden meaning behind his specific choice of words.
Lamine Yamal has opened up on the touching moment he shared with Lionel Messi following the 2026 World Cup final. The teenage sensation helped Spain overcome Argentina in a historic showdown, but it was the post-match exchange with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner that truly resonated with him.
