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Yamal admits aim to 'follow in footsteps' of Messi after Laureus award win

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal admitted he is aiming to "follow in the footsteps" of Lionel Messi after being crowned the Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year for 2026. The 18-year-old forward used the prestigious ceremony to pay tribute to the Argentine icon, who remains the only footballer to have ever won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.

Messi takes the spotlight, while concern mounts for SDFC

From record crowds in Colorado to frantic high scoring games, GOAL breaks down another compelling weekend of action in MLS...

Alex Iwobi Lionel Messi Beast Mode On Podcast

Ronaldo ‘aura’ & Messi ‘force field’! Iwobi on facing GOATs

Alex Iwobi has explained what it is like to face all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the former having an “aura” while the latter boasts a “force field”. Speaking on the Beast Mode On Podcast, former Arsenal midfielder Iwobi - who is now on the books of Fulham - has lifted the lid on how he became the unfortunate star of a Messi-themed compilation reel.

Seattle Sounders FC v New England Revolution

USMNT superstars of the future: Twellman names two ‘special’ prospects

Former United States international Taylor Twellman has praised two exceptional teenage prospects currently making waves in Major League Soccer. However, the prominent analyst refused to burden these rising American stars with premature comparisons to legendary footballing figures like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while also outlining the established core needed for a successful 2026 World Cup campaign on home soil.

Thiago snubs Messi & Salah in top three team-mates list

Thiago Alcantara has raised eyebrows by omitting Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah when naming the three best players he ever shared a pitch with. Despite playing alongside some of the greatest icons in modern football history, the former midfield maestro opted for a trio of stars that prioritised tactical intelligence and selflessness above raw goalscoring numbers.

Aguero: Only one player ranks above Yamal

Sergio Aguero has heaped massive praise on Lamine Yamal, sensationally claiming that the Barcelona sensation is already performing at a level that puts him above almost every other player in world football with the exception of a certain superstar. The Manchester City and Blaugrana legend also believes the teenager possesses a rare talent that has not been seen at Camp Nou since the departure of eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

Vinicius Jr told he's 'far from' Messi and Ronaldo

Despite being a leading figure at Santiago Bernabeu, Vinicius Jr is reportedly missing a vital ingredient required to join the pantheon of footballing greats. Former Brazil and Atletico Madrid defender Joao Miranda has offered a stinging appraisal of the Brazilian winger’s standing in the global game. The Real Madrid star has been told he is still a long way off reaching the legendary heights of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

MLS genie! Messi grants wondergoal wish as boss ‘rubs the lamp’

Lionel Messi played the role of the ultimate genie for interim manager Guillermo Hoyos, delivering a magical late goal to grant Inter Miami a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Hailing the Argentine's match-winning brilliance, Hoyos quipped that he simply "rubbed the lamp" to secure a crucial three points in the club's first game of the post-Javier Mascherano era.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami 2026 Colorado Rapids

📽️ | More magic from Messi! Top corner winner for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi proved once again why he remains the most clinical player in world football, producing a moment of pure inspiration to secure all three points for Inter Miami. The Argentine maestro produced a moment of individual brilliance to settle a five-goal thriller, guiding his side to a dramatic victory in a high-stakes encounter against the Colorado Rapids.

Harry Kane Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi

Shearer backs Kane to reach SIXTY goals before season ends

Alan Shearer believes Harry Kane’s scoring form at Bayern Munich places him alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in terms of consistency. The former England striker says the Bayern forward could reach 60 goals this season if his current run continues.

Puerto Rico v Argentina - International Friendly

Messi, Argentina sued for failing to appear in Venezuela friendly

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.

Messi completes purchase of Spanish club in surprise move

Lionel Messi has officially completed the purchase of Spanish club UE Cornellà. The Inter Miami superstar, who spent two decades in La Liga with Barcelona, has acquired full ownership of the Tercera RFEF side to further solidify his legacy in the region of Catalonia.

BDO Power Rankings: World Cup or bust for Mbappe after UCL exit

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders one year on.

Icons Lionel Messi Argentina 2022 World Cup GFX

How Messi completed football at the 2022 World Cup

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.

GFX Kylian Mbappe Karim Benzema Lionel Messi

Mbappe matches Benzema and breaks Messi record as Madrid crash out

Kylian Mbappe has firmly etched his name into the history books of European football once again following a record-breaking night for Real Madrid. The forward took centre stage during the Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich to surpass a mark previously held by Lionel Messi.

Two blunders and a record-breaking run: Neuer experiences a rollercoaster ride

It is not yet clear how much longer Manuel Neuer will continue to play. Should he stay at FC Bayern for another year, he stands to set a historic record.

Frequently asked questions

: Almost nearing the age of 40, Cristiano Ronaldo is not quite the same dribbler that he was during his 20s, but he continues to find the back of the net at a consistently alarming rate by playing as an out and out striker.
: Cristiano Ronaldo was born in Funchal on the island of Madeira in Portugal.
: When you mention the No. 7 in football, it's impossible not to think of Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Sporting CP boy wonder continues to sport the No. 7 jersey even after making the switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
: Cristiano Ronaldo stands at 1.87m (6ft 2in). During his prime, his height wouldn't prove to be a hindrance as he was easily among the fastest players in the world.
: The all-time top scorer in football history currently weighs 83kg (183 lbs).
: Between 1992 and 1995, Cristiano Ronaldo played for Andorinha, where his father was a kit man. Then, he switched to Nacional and continued his development for two more years, before finally being signed by Sporting CP.
: Cristiano Ronaldo is a father to five children: Cristiano Jr, Mateo, Eva, Alana Martina, and Bella. The latter two were given by birth by his current partner Georgina Rodriguez.
: Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in a relationship with Argentine-born Spanish model and influencer Georgina Rodriguez and they have been together since 2016. While they haven't publicly declared that they are married to each other, Ronaldo certainly sparked rumours regarding their status by referring to Georgina as "his wife" in an Instagram collaboration with sports brand Whoop in August 2024.

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