All articles tagged with #lionel messi
Tom Brady weighed in on Lionel Messi's late heroics in Argentina's 3-2 comeback against Egypt at the 2026 World Cup, saying it might top the New England Patriots' 28-3 rally in Super Bowl LI; Messi equalised and Romero and Enzo Fernández sealed the win to push Argentina into the knockout stage, with Brady publicly praising the moment on social media.
Egypt led 1-0 through Yasser Ibrahim, with a second-half Ziko goal later wiped out by VAR; Argentina equalized via Lionel Messi at 84’ and completed a stoppage-time comeback when Lautaro Martinez assisted Enzo Fernández for the match-winner in the World Cup 2026 group clash.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha produced a heroic display against Argentina in the World Cup Round of 32, making 18 saves across four matches and keeping his side in the game until a late extra-time strike sealed Argentina’s win. After the match, Messi publicly praised Vozinha, saying the keeper should make his people proud, and the two reportedly arranged a shirt swap. Vozinha’s performance — and the Spain game group-stage performance that helped him become a global sensation — propelled him from relative obscurity to a social-media phenomenon as Cape Verde’s World Cup run captured imaginations.
Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 to close a perfect World Cup group stage, with Lionel Messi coming off the bench to score and become the first player in World Cup history to notch in seven consecutive games, while Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez added goals as Scaloni’s side showcased further attacking options before Cape Verde. GOAL’s player ratings highlighted key contributions from Lo Celso and Martínez and noted the match’s tactical margins despite the closer-than-expected result.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi moved to the top of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot standings with 6 goals after coming on as a substitute and scoring a superb free-kick against Jordan; Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele are tied for second with 4 goals each, while Vinícius Júnior and Erling Haaland also have 4, as Argentina finish the group stage with three wins.
Argentina, the defending champions, meet Austria in World Cup Group J in Dallas as Lionel Messi chases the all-time World Cup goalscoring record after his hat-trick against Algeria, while Austria—who beat Jordan in their opener—aim to deny Messi and secure progression with a draw or better.
Argentine TV host Florencia Peña quit after she claimed live on air that Lionel Messi’s father had died. The Messi family said Jorge Messi is ill but alive, and the channel fired those responsible while Peña apologized and stepped down amid backlash from fans and President Milei.
Thousands of Argentine fans flooded Kansas City ahead of Argentina's World Cup opener against Algeria, turning the heartland into a Messi‑fueled festival with banderazos, late‑night partying and costly tickets, underscoring the devotion and the lengths fans go for what could be Messi's last World Cup; Messi delivered a hat‑trick in a 3‑0 win, while the trip highlighted both unity and tensions within Argentina's fan culture.
Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria to open World Cup 2026, drawing level with Miroslav Klose on 16 World Cup goals and threatening to surpass the record. USMNT players and staff watched in awe at their team hotel, embracing the fan moment as Messi’s enduring greatness was on display. Argentina’s next match is against Australia in Seattle, and if the U.S. advance, a potential Argentina matchup could be on the table in the knockout rounds.
Messi scores a first-half hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup top goalscorer record as defending champions Argentina thrash Algeria 3-0 in their World Cup 2026 Group J opener.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across North America. The tournament will feature a first-ever World Cup final halftime show and celebrity pregame programs, as fans flood venues from June to July. While Messi and Ronaldo near retirement, a new generation—led by Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Bukayo Saka and Alphonso Davies—is poised to shine, with marquee group-stage matchups and the knockout rounds shaping the drama across 16 U.S. host cities (plus games in Canada and Mexico). Ticket prices are fluctuating, but anticipation remains high as the world tunes in for a global-soccer spectacle and cultural moment.
Messi left the Philadelphia Union match with 17 minutes remaining due to fatigue, not a confirmed injury; while hamstring concerns surfaced, there is no reported muscle damage and tests will determine the issue. Club and coach emphasized fatigue and heavy field conditions, suggesting he should be fit for Argentina’s 2026 World Cup campaign as preparation continues.
Lionel Messi stars as Inter Miami secure their first win at Nu Stadium, underscoring his ongoing impact in MLS.
Inter Miami defeated the Portland Timbers 2-0 at the Nu Stadium for their first home win, with Messi scoring and assisting Berterame after a back-heel setup, while La Familia staged a silent protest over player-fan engagement before some players acknowledged the fans after the final whistle.
Messi’s new MLS contract keeps him at $28.3M for Inter Miami, the league’s top earner by a wide margin—more than double Son Heung-min’s $11.2M and Rodrigo De Paul’s $9.7M. MLSPA data map each club’s top earner and wage bill, show the Opulent XI totaling about $74.3M (driven by Messi), and track wage-bill changes across teams from fall 2025 to spring 2026, including San Diego FC’s Hirving Lozano situation and other notable signings.