Aperçu Nizhny Novgorod

Former Barcelona manager Xavi has lavished praise on Lionel Messi, comparing the Argentine icon to basketball legend Michael Jordan. The tribute comes in the wake of Messi's stunning hat-trick against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup, which saw him equal the record for the most goals ever scored at the tournament.

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has predicted that he will eventually transition into a central role, following in the tactical footsteps of club legend Lionel Messi. The 18-year-old high-flyer is currently tearing up the wings for club and country but believes moving inside is inevitable to escape the constant triple-marking he faces.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has warned that comparing Lamine Yamal to footballing icons like Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona is a "mistake" that could hinder the teenager's development. Despite the caution, the La Roja boss admitted the Barcelona star belongs in a rare category of "geniuses" alongside historical figures like Michelangelo and Salvador Dali.

There's no sporting event bigger than the World Cup. It's the pinnacle of professional football, where global superstars are born, dreams die and legends live forever. Sometimes, with just one goal, one pass, one tackle, one block or one save, a previously little-known player can become a national hero, a name eternally etched in the memory of a country's collective consciousness.