Alpine Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has fulfilled a lifelong ambition after enjoying a private meeting with his sporting idol Lionel Messi ahead of the Miami Grand Prix. The encounter at Inter Miami's training ground served as a reciprocal gesture following the young driver’s decision to gift the legendary footballer a signed race helmet last year.
Lionel Messi could be set to lose his long-term mentor with the Argentina national team, as Real Madrid have reportedly contacted Lionel Scaloni over the prospect of replacing Alvaro Arbeloa. The World Cup winner is being lined up to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu if Los Blancos part ways with Arbeloa.
A Miami-based events company has filed a suit against Lionel Messi and the Argentine football federation after the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was rested in a friendly last year. Messi opted not to play in the exhibition against Venezuela, and VID Music Group claim that Messi promised to play a minimum of 30 minutes in the fixture - unless he was injured.
In the winter of 2022, under the lights of Lusail, Lionel Messi finally realised the dream he'd carried with him his entire life. After years of unrelenting pressure, bitter heartbreak and agonising near-misses, Argentina’s captain rose above expectation on football’s grandest stage to deliver his country the perfect ending - and to fulfill his own destiny. Welcome to the latest episode of Icons - a GOAL podcast that revisits the last 10 World Cups through the moments, characters, and controversies that defined them, bringing the spirit of each tournament vividly back to life.
Netflix has confirmed the release of an animated film dedicated to Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The project will tell the story of his rise from Mar del Plata to global fame, blending animation, interviews and archival footage to explore the journey behind one of football’s most iconic modern goalkeepers.
Will the Portuguese star leave through the front door?
The question echoes around the stadium and beyond. Cristiano Ronaldo’s potential departure from Manchester United is the talking point of the football world. Having arrived in 2003 as a raw teenager with a mohawk and departed a decade later as a Ballon d’Or winner, he returned in 2021 eager to add more silverware to his collection. Yet here we are, less than two years on, with rumours swirling that he could once again walk out of Old Trafford.
So what does it mean to “leave through the front door”? In football parlance, it is a phrase that suggests departing on good terms, head held high, reputation intact. It implies gratitude for the memories, respect for the club and its supporters, and a clear path to the next challenge. For a player of Ronaldo’s stature, it also means acknowledging his own legacy while leaving room for the next generation to flourish.
The alternative—slinking out the back way—is unthinkable for a man who has b
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has joined the long list of sporting icons left in awe of Lionel Messi’s genius on the pitch. The Red Bull driver believes the Argentina and Inter Miami maestro possesses a unique ability to read the game that renders tactical preparation almost useless.
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has opened up about his journey with his mental health, revealing how professional support transformed his career shortly before the 2022 World Cup. He is now using his platform to encourage the next generation to prioritise their psychological well-being.
U21 international striker Nicolo Tresoldi could play for as many as three major footballing nations and is reportedly looking to move clubs again this summer. Which national team manager will be the first to call him? And what’s the situation with BVB?
Lionel Scaloni has thrown his support behind Lionel Messi to potentially reach the historic 1,000 career goals milestone, while insisting the Argentina captain does have the "desire" to play at the 2026 World Cup. Speaking after a dominant friendly victory against Zambia, the Albiceleste boss emphasized that the Inter Miami star still possesses the hunger to compete at the very highest level despite already achieving his ultimate dream in Qatar.
Lionel Messi delivered a vintage performance at La Bombonera, recording a goal and an assist as Argentina dismantled Zambia 5-0 in their final home fixture before the 2026 World Cup. The Inter Miami icon captained the world champions to a dominant victory in what is expected to be the last home game he plays for his country.
The childhood home of Diego Maradona has undergone a significant transformation to serve the community in the wake of the legend’s passing. Located in the Villa Fiorito neighbourhood, the property is now being used as a soup kitchen to provide essential support to locals facing economic hardship.
How will tiebreakers work at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? The tournament is moving ever closer, with teams preparing to enter the group stages before embarking on their bid for glory. Here, GOAL breaks down how tie-breakers work, how group stage points are decided, and everything you need to know ahead of the big kick-off.
Which goalkeepers have won the FIFA World Cup Golden Glove award across the history of the competition? The award was introduced for the 1994 tournament, meaning plenty of iconic goalkeepers, including the likes of Gordon Banks and the initially eponymous Lev Yashin, missed out on the individual award. GOAL has everything you need to know about the award handed to the standout stopper at any single tournament.
Argentina
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