player-image

LionelMessi

Lionel Messi news

Latest news

FBL-WC-2026-SAMERICA-QUALIFIERS-ARG-VEN

Messi casts more doubt over 2026 World Cup prospects

Lionel Messi cast further doubt on his international career with Argentina as the legendary player shared an emotional note after what was potentially his final home game for the world champions. Messi scored twice in the 3-0 thumping of Venezuela on Thursday, but after the match the Argentine skipper hinted that he might not feature at the upcoming World Cup.

Jamal Musiala Germany 2025

Musiala dubbed irreplaceable 'like Messi' after shock Slovakia loss

Jamal Musiala has been dubbed irreplaceable "like Lionel Messi" by German icon, Lothar Matthaus, after a shock World Cup qualifying defeat to Slovakia. The Bayern Munich midfielder fractured his fibula and damaged ankle ligaments following a brutal collision with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Club World Cup. The 22-year-old was stretchered off in Atlanta, visibly distraught, and Bayern later confirmed he requires surgery that will sideline him for several months.

Frequently asked questions

Declan Rice primarily plays as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal, either as a single pivot or in a double-pivot formation. More recently, though, he has been used in a bit more advanced position as an #8, thanks to his progressive ball-carrying and goalscoring abilities.

Declan Rice was born in Kingston upon Thames in the Greater London region in England.

The English international dons the No. 41 jersey at his current club Arsenal. In an episode of The Overlap in 2022, where he had a chat with Gary Neville, Rice explained that 41 was a number given to his by his kit man at his previous club, West Ham United, and that he continues to wear it because he's superstitious.

The Arsenal man is 1.88m (6ft 2in) tall, and is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world at the moment.

Declan Rice weighs 80kg (176 lbs) and is a physically dominant force in midfield.

Declan Rice spent the majority of his youth career at Chelsea (2006-2013), before spending two years in West Ham United's youth setup.

Declan Rice and long-term girlfriend Lauren Fryer welcomed their first child, son Jude, in August 2022.

Declan Rice hasn't exchanged vows yet, but he has been dating childhood sweetheart Lauren Fryer since 2016.