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Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina survived a dramatic scare on Friday, edging Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Following the final whistle, Messi and his teammates showed visible relief after overcoming a spirited challenge from tournament debutants Cape Verde, who twice fought back to level the match before finally falling short. Despite the defeat, Cape Verde's remarkable performance will be remembered as one of the tournament's biggest surprises. The small island nation off Africa's west coast pushed the reigning world champions to their limits in a memorable contest. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his opponents, saying the match proved there are no easy opponents at the World Cup. Argentina regained the lead for good in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and was recorded as an own goal. Messi had earlier opened the scoring with his record-extending 20th World Cup goal, while Lisandro Martinez gave Argentina a 2-1 advantage in stoppage time of normal play. Cape Verde responded on both occasions through Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte. Cabral's stunning curling strike in the 103rd minute leveled the match at 2-2 and briefly raised hopes of a penalty shootout. However, Argentina held on after the decisive own goal and advanced to face Egypt, who defeated Australia in a penalty shootout earlier on Friday. The Round of 16 clash will take place Tuesday in Atlanta. Messi praised his team's determination, saying Argentina continued competing until the very end and never stopped fighting for the victory. Cape Verde's Fairytale Journey EndsCape Verde's first-ever World Cup appearance exceeded all expectations. Backed by outstanding performances from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, the nation of just over 525,000 people became the smallest country ever to reach the tournament's knockout stage. The Blue Sharks earned impressive draws against former champions Spain and Uruguay, as well as Saudi Arabia, before their courageous display against Argentina. Vozinha was outstanding once again, making 10 saves, including five against Messi, to keep his side in contention throughout the match. Head coach Bubista expressed pride in his players, saying they represented their country with dignity and demonstrated their identity by competing toe-to-toe with one of football's strongest teams. Messi Continues Record-Breaking FormMessi opened the scoring in the 29th minute after timing his run perfectly to meet Lisandro Martinez's lofted pass before controlling the ball and finishing powerfully into the roof of the net. The goal was Messi's seventh of the tournament, moving him one ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot. It also extended his World Cup career scoring record, placing him two goals clear of Mbappé on the all-time list while stretching his scoring streak to eight consecutive World Cup matches, during which he has netted 12 goals. Earlier in the match, Messi narrowly missed the target with a low effort before seeing a free kick comfortably saved by Vozinha, who repeatedly frustrated Argentina's captain. Pride Despite DefeatCape Verde defender Pico Lopes admitted the result was disappointing but said the team could be proud of its resilience after twice coming from behind against the defending champions. Following the match, players and coach Bubista remained on the field for several minutes, many overcome with emotion. Some sat quietly with heads bowed, while others embraced teammates before acknowledging their supporters. Reflecting on the tournament, Bubista said Cape Verde had shown that although it is a small nation, it is capable of competing with the world's best teams. 

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all delivered standout performances on the same day at the World Cup, underlining their status as the tournament’s biggest stars. Haaland scored twice in Norway’s 3-2 win over Senegal on Monday night, finding the net in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. His goals helped him recover from an earlier missed header and a shot that struck the post just before halftime. His display came hours after Messi scored twice for Argentina to set a new World Cup scoring record, while Mbappé also netted a brace for France in a separate match. Haaland, who is still a month away from turning 26, continues to impress for a national team that lacks the international pedigree of Argentina or France. “He is the best striker,” Norway coach Ståle Solbakken said through an interpreter. “He is not playing for France or Argentina. He scores for Norway.” Between them, the three forwards have now scored 13 goals in the tournament — five for Messi and four each for Mbappé and Haaland — intensifying the Golden Boot race. “It’s easier to win the Golden Boot when you play for France and Argentina,” Solbakken added. “But we’ll try to give Erling more games and more help in the next matches.” Messi moved to 18 World Cup goals after Argentina’s win over Austria in Arlington, Texas, becoming the tournament’s all-time top scorer. Mbappé reached 16 goals, tying former record holder Miroslav Klose after France defeated Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia. Haaland, playing in his first World Cup after Norway’s long absence since 1998, now has four goals in the competition. “I’m part of something special. Norway’s part of something special. We’re making history,” Haaland said. The Manchester City striker has now scored in 12 consecutive competitive matches for Norway, collecting 24 goals in that run. The last time he failed to score in a competitive match for his country was in October 2024. “He’s on fire,” Solbakken said. “I’m very happy for him that he can score on the biggest stage.” Haaland’s first goal against Senegal came during a 4-on-2 counterattack after earlier frustration in front of goal. His second, which hit the crossbar before going in, saw him celebrate by cupping his ear toward Norway fans dressed in red. When asked about his scoring form, Haaland gave a modest explanation. “It’s my specialty to score goals,” he said. “It’s like many other things: I’m just really good at scoring goals, and I’m quite lucky. I don’t know what I’m doing, but yeah. That’s just how it is.”

Lionel Messi’s move to the United States could prove to be a masterstroke if he leads Argentina to consecutive World Cup titles. The 38-year-old joined Inter Miami in 2023, a decision that boosted soccer’s profile in the US, helped his club win trophies and added another chapter to his legendary career. Argentina could be the biggest beneficiary, with Messi still performing at an extraordinary level. Time to accept Messi as the greatest of all time: Brazilian legend Ronaldo

Lionel Messi marked his return from injury with a goal as Argentina defeated Iceland 3-0 on Tuesday in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup. The Argentina captain, who is preparing for a record sixth World Cup appearance, came off the bench in the 70th minute and converted a penalty two minutes later after Lautaro Martínez was fouled inside the box. Messi, 38, had been recovering from muscle fatigue and a minor hamstring strain picked up during his last appearance for Inter Miami on May 24. After missing the start of the match, he made an immediate impact once introduced. The Argentina star, the national team’s all-time top scorer with 117 goals, struck a high left-footed penalty in the 72nd minute to seal the win. Argentina, the reigning world champions and three-time winners in 1978, 1986 and 2022, will begin their World Cup campaign against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City. Group J also includes Austria and Jordan. The match was only the second meeting between Argentina and Iceland. Their previous encounter came at the 2018 World Cup, which ended 1-1, where Messi had missed a penalty.

Football star Lionel Messi has been sued by a Miami-based event promoter who claims he broke the terms of a $7 million contract by failing to play in a scheduled exhibition match last year. According to court records, Vid Music Group filed a lawsuit last month in a Miami-Dade circuit court, accusing Messi and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) of fraud and breach of contract. The company says it had secured exclusive rights to organize and promote Argentina’s friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October, in return for ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship revenue. It claims the agreement required Messi to play at least 30 minutes in each match unless he was injured. Messi did not play in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Venezuela on October 10, instead watching from a suite at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. However, he played the following day for his club Inter Miami in an MLS match, where he scored twice in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United. He later featured in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico on October 14. That match had originally been scheduled in Chicago but was moved to Florida amid low ticket sales and security concerns. The promoter alleges it suffered losses running into millions of dollars due to Messi’s absence from one match and poor attendance at the other. Messi and the AFA have not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Lionel Messi will have a stadium stand named after him by his current club Inter Miami CF at their new home ground, the 26,700-seat Nu Stadium. The 38-year-old forward, widely considered one of football’s greatest players, joined the MLS side in 2023 after a successful career in Europe with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. Since arriving in Florida, Messi has become Inter Miami’s all-time top scorer with 82 goals and leading assist provider with 53. The club’s decision to name a stand after an active player is seen as unusual. In a statement, Inter Miami said such honours are usually reserved for the past, but this recognition reflects what Messi is achieving now and the impact he continues to make on the pitch. The club is set to play its first match at the new stadium against Austin FC on April 4. This marks the second time a stand has been named after Messi. In June 2025, his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys also honoured him in a similar way. Messi, who led Argentina national football team to World Cup victory in 2022, is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and became the first player in MLS history to win back-to-back MVP awards last season. His move to Inter Miami, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, has boosted the club’s profile and popularity of the league, along with bringing titles such as the Leagues Cup, Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup. Source : BBC

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF endured a disappointing start to their MLS Cup title defence after losing 3-0 to Los Angeles FC in the new season opener on Saturday night. David Martínez, Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz scored for LAFC, who made a strong statement as early contenders for the title. Son Heung-min provided the assist for Martínez’s opening goal in the 38th minute, setting the tone for the home side’s dominant display. The match attracted 75,673 fans, the second-largest crowd in Major League Soccer history, creating a lively atmosphere for the high-profile clash between two of the league’s biggest clubs. Messi played despite recently dealing with a hamstring strain, drawing loud reactions from the crowd throughout the game. However, Miami looked less settled after the retirements of key players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, while new signings are still adjusting to the team’s style. Bouanga doubled LAFC’s lead in the 73rd minute, finishing a long pass with a composed header and strike. Ordaz sealed the win deep into stoppage time after converting Bouanga’s assist. The victory continued LAFC’s perfect record in season openers and improved their head-to-head record against Miami to four wins from six meetings. For Miami, the heavy defeat highlights the challenge ahead as they attempt to defend their MLS title against strong and in-form rivals.  

Lionel Messi has said that when his playing career ends, he would rather become a football club owner than work as a coach. The Argentine superstar recently signed a new three-year contract with Inter Miami that will keep him at the club until the 2028 season. Speaking in an interview with Luzu TV recorded in December and aired this week, the 38-year-old said coaching does not interest him. “I don’t see myself as a coach,” Messi said. “I like management, but if I had to choose, I would prefer to be an owner. I would love to have my own club, help it grow from the bottom, and give young players the chance to develop and build something important.” Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022, is already involved in club ownership. He is a part owner of Uruguay’s fourth-division side Deportivo LSM, alongside his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez. Suarez launched the club in 2018 and said it was a family dream. The club now has more than 3,000 members and focuses on helping young players in Uruguay develop their football skills. Under his Inter Miami contract, Messi will also receive a future minority ownership stake in the MLS club. On the field, Messi enjoyed a brilliant season. He won the MLS Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals, five more than LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville’s Sam Surridge. He also provided 19 assists, taking his total goal involvement to 48 — just one short of the league record set by Carlos Vela in 2019. Guardiola questions claim of two-horse Premier League title race Messi also made history by becoming the first player to win back-to-back MLS MVP awards.

Lionel Messi admits that he and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. The Argentine maestro went viral on social media after posting a picture of himself strolling on the pitch of the new Camp Nou on Monday. It was a nighttime visit, completely unannounced. The greatest player in Barcelona’s history was back at his former home, where he had been “very happy”. Read more: 3 new faces in Argentina squad, Messi uncertain for upcoming friendlies Posting the photos and a short video, Messi wrote in the caption: “Last night I returned to a place I miss with all my soul. A place where I was incredibly happy, where you all made me feel like the happiest person in the world a thousand times over. I hope I can return someday, and not just to say goodbye as a player, like I never got to…” Messi made an emotional exit from Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for the LaLiga giants, no new contract could be signed. He moved to Paris with his family, before eventually heading to Miami. There has been talk over the last four years about a possible return in a playing capacity, but Messi has now committed to a contract in South Florida that will keep him in MLS through the 2028 campaign. While a playing comeback for the Blaugrana has become unrealistic, the 38-year-old superstar still intends to return to his spiritual home. With his secret tour of Barcelona’s iconic revamped stadium, speculation has surged once again. A day later, in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Diario SPORT, Messi discussed his unexpected departure, his hope of returning to Barcelona, and also spoke about the upcoming World Cup.

Erling Haaland has played down comparisons between himself and modern football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he is nowhere near their level. But, the striker believes he is in “a good way” to surpass his best tally of 56 goals in a season. The Manchester City forward delivered another masterclass on Sunday as his side beat high-flying Bournemouth 3-1, climbing up to second place in the Premier League after 10 matches. With his brace, Haaland now has 13 Premier League goals this season—more than twice as many as any other player. He also achieved a rare milestone, becoming only the third player ever to score two or more goals in four or more consecutive Premier League home appearances, after Robbie Fowler (4 in 1995–96) and Luis Suárez (5 in 2013). Across all competitions, Haaland has already scored 26 goals in 16 appearances for club and country as of early November, taking his career tally to 327. After the Bournemouth match, City manager Pep Guardiola heaped praise on the 25-year-old striker, comparing him to Argentine legend Lionel Messi and Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, noting how the two remained consistent over 15 seasons. Asked about Guardiola’s comparison, the Norwegian immediately dismissed the idea: “No, not at all. I am far off. Nobody can get close to them two, so no.” Haaland trails a long way behind the pair’s extraordinary goal totals. Argentina great Messi, 38, has scored 892 career goals, while 40-year-old Portugal icon Ronaldo is on 952 as he continues his pursuit of the 1,000-goal mark. Haaland scored 56 goals in the 2022–23 season, his first at Manchester City following his move from Borussia Dortmund, which remains his most prolific campaign so far. This season, Manchester City could play a maximum of 52 more matches, while Norway could play up to 12 if they reach the FIFA World Cup final, plus additional friendlies yet to be decided. With 98 goals in 107 Premier League appearances, Haaland is closing in on becoming the fastest player to reach a century of goals in English top-flight. Former England captain Alan Shearer set the record at 124 games and sits atop the all-time Premier League charts with 260 goals. Shearer, who played for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, said last month that Haaland has a “brilliant chance” of breaking the record. Asking on that matter Haaland said, “Which record? Not to sound arrogant! I am in a good way but I don't think of this. “Thinking about records I can break is the last thing on my mind, I try to help the team win football games. That is my job and that is my main focus. “I know it's boring, I know you want me to say the complete opposite but that's not how it is. I have to ignore them.” Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in their fourth Champions League group match, with both teams on seven points.