Sergio Aguero is not convinced that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland missed his big Ballon d’Or opportunity when losing out to Lionel Messi in 2023. The prolific Norwegian frontman enjoyed a memorable debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, becoming a Treble winner, but still saw Argentine GOAT Messi walk off with the most prestigious of individual accolades.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi provided two assists in the 6-0 win over Puerto Rico, reaching 60 total to surpass Neymar (58) and Landon Donovan (58) as the top assist-maker in men’s international football history. Messi is also just two assists away from 400 in his professional career. Argentina wrapped up their U.S. tour with another dominant performance in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Lionel Messi could be faced with the prospect of demolishing his €11 million (£9.5m/$12m) mansion in Ibiza as controversy continues surrounding the 16,000 square metre property, which was built on protected land without the necessary permits. Messi bought the mansion in 2022 but has faced a series of recent issues, such as when climate activist group Futuro Vegetal vandalised the property last year.
After missing Argentina’s first friendly of the October window, Lionel Messi has rejoined the national team and could feature against Puerto Rico on Tuesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The captain skipped the Venezuela match to play for Inter Miami but is now back in full training with Lionel Scaloni’s squad.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta admits that the club’s relationship with Lionel Messi became 'strained' after an unfortunate financial crisis led to the Argentine superstar having to leave Catalonia. Bridges have, however, been rebuilt since then and an emotional return to a spiritual home for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner continues to be discussed - potentially in an exhibition match at the recently upgraded Camp Nou.
Kylian Mbappe has opened up on what it was like to play with Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain and also revealed why he 'wants to thank' the Inter Miami star. Mbappe played alongside Messi for two seasons in the French capital after the Argentina captain moved to the Ligue 1 giants on a free transfer after leaving boyhood club Barcelona in the summer of 2021.
Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist, while Jordi Alba also found the net as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-0 win over Atlanta United on Saturday night. Messi was a threat from the start, skipping Argentina duty to feature for the Herons - and showing exactly why that decision paid off. Miami remain in the hunt for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi was rested for Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela, a 1-0 win, at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, keeping alive the possibility he could feature for Inter Miami against Atlanta United on Saturday. Earlier in the day, head coach Javier Mascherano said Messi’s availability would depend on whether he played against Venezuela, noting that Argentina would make the final decision.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has vowed not to take any risks with Lionel Messi during the October international friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. Messi is doubtful for the Venezuela clash, which will be played on Saturday, only a day before Inter Miami face Atlanta United in a crucial MLS fixture. He will link up with his Argentine team-mates after playing seven matches in 21 days.
Mason Greenwood snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo for another former Manchester United team-mate when naming the best player he's worked with and chose Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate. While Greenwood briefly played alongside Ronaldo during the Portuguese striker's ill-fated second stint at Old Trafford, tensions reportedly ran high between the two as they struggled to build a successful playing relationship.
Lionel Messi has admitted it will be “strange” not playing alongside Jordi Alba in an emotional tribute to his Inter Miami team-mate following the defender’s decision to retire from professional football. The Argentina star took to social media to hail his close friend and former Barcelona colleague after he announced he will hang up his boots at the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.
Sergio Busquets, Riqui Puig, and FC Barcelona led the tributes to Jordi Alba after the Inter Miami full-back announced he will retire at the end of the MLS season. The 35-year-old’s decision marks another emotional moment for the club’s famed Barcelona core, with Alba set to join longtime teammate Busquets in closing out a remarkable chapter that bridged La Liga and MLS.
Inter Miami left back Jordi Alba announced that he will walk away from professional soccer at the end of the 2025 season. The former Spain international, who won 25 trophies over the duration of his career, will go down as one of the best fullbacks of all-time and a stalwart on numerous teams alongside Lionel Messi. The Spainard will turn 37 next year.
Lionel Messi joined Carlos Vela in an exclusive MLS club after posting a hat-trick of assists for Inter Miami. The Argentine GOAT was at his brilliant best once again as the Herons eased to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution. When it comes to combined goals and assists in 2025, Messi has burst beyond 40 - a mark that only one other player has passed at the highest level of North American soccer.
Inter Miami conceded five goals in a humbling defeat to the Chicago Fire on Tuesday, putting manager Javier Mascherano’s tactics under scrutiny. But the Herons made sure there wouldn’t be a repeat, allowing just one goal while Lionel Messi proved the catalyst with three assists in a convincing 4-1 win over the struggling New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Inter Miami will pay tribute to Spanish legend and long-time Lionel Messi teammate Sergio Busquets after Saturday’s match against New England Revolution at Chase Stadium, celebrating the 2010 World Cup winner’s remarkable career as he prepares to retire at the end of the MLS season. The midfielder announced his retirement last week.
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano highlighted the influence of Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, one of the marquee summer signings in MLS who has taken control of the Herons’ midfield. Miami will look to bounce back Saturday at Chase Stadium against the New England Revolution after a midweek 5-3 loss to the Chicago Fire.
Javier Mascherano took responsibility after Inter Miami turned in one of their worst performances of the season at Chase Stadium, falling 5-3 to the Chicago Fire. The setback leaves the Herons in a precarious spot in the Supporters’ Shield race - they sit fourth in the Eastern Conference with 56 points, seven behind leaders Philadelphia Union.
The Chicago Fire are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but Inter Miami won't be thrilled the visitors' postseason ticket came at their expense in a 5-3 defeat at home. Luis Suarez rolled back the years with two goals, but his brilliance wasn’t enough to cover for the Herons’ season-long defensive frailties, as they shipped three before halftime.
Former Juventus winger and ex-Italy international Federico Bernardeschi chimed in on the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi debate. The Bologna player heaped praise on the two icons and explained what makes the duo different from each other. While Messi was called "divine," Ronaldo was hailed as someone who "revolutionized football" and is admired by numerous athletes.
Manager Javier Mascherano lamented Inter Miami’s missed opportunity to climb in the Eastern Conference standings after a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday night, just 72 hours after facing NYCFC. While his side still hold games in hand, the dropped points complicated their pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield amid a congested schedule.
Inter Miami let a first-half lead slip and were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC, a result that dealt a significant blow to their Supporters’ Shield ambitions. Javier Mascherano’s side looked tired as the match wore on, and though they left Canada with a point, the dropped opportunity highlighted their struggle to finish strong.