Players
Laporta: Messi is past and present, Lamine is future
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Lionel Messi represents the club's past and present, while Lamine Yamal embodies its present and future, expressing pride in La Masia.
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Matches
England lose World Cup final after Tuchel's tactical errors
England lost the World Cup final 2-1 to Argentina after manager Thomas Tuchel made a series of defensive substitutions that allowed Lionel Messi to score the winning goal. Critics say Tuchel's cowardice cost England the title.
Players
Harry Kane unsure if this was last World Cup with England, cites
Harry Kane says it's too early to know if this was his last World Cup with England, but Lionel Messi playing at 39 shows why he will never put a limit on himself. The 32-year-old captain called representing England his 'pride and joy.'
Matches
Messi leads Argentina to third World Cup final with masterclass
Lionel Messi, aged 39, delivered two assists to help Argentina come from behind and beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final. He now has eight goals and four assists in the tournament, setting up a final against Spain.
Matches
England showed 'too much respect' to Argentina, say pundits
BBC Sport pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards said England showed too much respect to Argentina and Lionel Messi, contributing to their 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat.
Matches
Argentina takes 2-1 lead with Messi assist to Martínez
Argentina went ahead 2-1 after Lionel Messi provided his second assist of the match, setting up Lautaro Martínez for the goal.
Teams
Mates, mate and freedom: How Argentina got the best out of Messi
Lionel Messi has found a perfect football environment in the Argentina squad, built around him by manager Lionel Scaloni. The team's camaraderie, shared mate tea rituals, and the protective bond with Rodrigo de Paul have helped Messi rediscover joy and lead Argentina to a World Cup semi-final against England.
Matches
Kane insists England are 'completely together' before World Cup
England captain Harry Kane says the squad is united ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Argentina, dismissing suggestions of division after Jude Bellingham questioned Thomas Tuchel's post-match comments. The winner will face France or Spain in the final.
Players
Messi: Facing England will be special, it's my first time
Lionel Messi said facing England will be special as it's his first time playing against them. He called England a great team and a football powerhouse.
Matches
Messi to Face England for First Time in World Cup Semi-Final
Lionel Messi will play against England for the first time in his career when Argentina meets the Three Lions in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. The 39-year-old has scored 125 goals for Argentina but never faced England. Pundits highlight Messi's unique qualities and the historic rivalry between the two nations.
Players
Bellingham reaches World Cup legend heights with Messi next
Jude Bellingham's two goals against Norway in Miami have drawn statistical comparisons to Maradona and Pele. The England star now faces Lionel Messi's Argentina in the semi-final, with a potential final against Spain or France.
Opinion
Should Argentina take Messi off penalties?
Lionel Messi's penalty misses at the 2026 World Cup raise questions about his spot-kick reliability. Despite his genius, his conversion rate lags behind top scorers, prompting debate over whether Argentina should consider alternative penalty takers.
Matches
Celestini: Switzerland have nothing to lose against Argentina
Former Swiss international Fabio Celestini discusses Switzerland's multicultural strength, their World Cup quarter-final against Argentina, and the challenge of stopping Lionel Messi. He highlights the team's discipline, blend of cultures, and growing maturity.
Players
De La Fuente: Messi looks 19 or 23, exceptional level
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente praised Lionel Messi, saying he looks 19 or 23 years old and performs at an exceptional level, highlighting his tireless commitment and example for teammates.
Players
Players with Most FIFA World Cup Victories: Updated Rankings
Lionel Messi leads with 21 World Cup wins, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Miroslav Klose with 17 each. The list includes legends like Cafu, Ronaldo, and Beckenbauer, updated after matches on July 9, 2026.
Matches
Argentina Face Switzerland in World Cup Quarter-final
Argentina continue their World Cup title defense against a resilient Switzerland side aiming for a first semi-final. The match in Kansas City pits Lionel Messi's record-breaking form against a Swiss team that has already achieved its best-ever tournament run.
Players
Four-Way Golden Boot Race at 2026 World Cup Nears Historic Heights
Lionel Messi leads with eight goals, followed by Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland on seven, and Harry Kane on six. The race is unprecedented, with all four players approaching double-figure scoring, a feat achieved by only eight players in World Cup history.
Opinion
World Cup 2022: Are Argentina Receiving Favorable Treatment?
Egypt has accused FIFA of bias favoring Argentina and Lionel Messi after their 3-2 loss. Allegations include refereeing errors and the appointment of an all-Argentine officiating team for France vs. Morocco. An analysis examines the claims.
Players
Messi: I Cried After Missing Penalty, But God Had Something Special
Lionel Messi said he cried because he felt he let his teammates down after missing a penalty. He added that God had something special for him in the end, leaving him very happy.
Players
Messi: 'We didn't want and didn't deserve to go home'
Lionel Messi said his team did not want or deserve to go home and that they could not let it end like that. He emphasized the group deserved to keep going and that they never give up.