https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/517672/feed The latest stories and features on footballer Lionel Messi, including professional football news and updates. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Lionel Messi described his retirement from international football as the “saddest day of my career” on Tuesday in Buenos Aires after playing his final game for Argentina in a 3-0 defeat of Benin. Messi, who scored a goal and provided two assists in the victory at the Monumental Stadium, took to the field after the win to express gratitude to fans and teammates as he reflected on his 21-year career with Argentina. “It was a huge source of pride for me to defend this jersey for more than 20... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3369976/lionel-messi-calls-time-argentina-career-says-not-playing-will-be-deeply-painful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3369976/lionel-messi-calls-time-argentina-career-says-not-playing-will-be-deeply-painful?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:29:12 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Lionel Messi will pull on Argentina’s sky blue-and-white jersey for the last time on Tuesday and enjoy an emotional farewell in front of his adoring fans in a stadium with a name to match his legacy: Monumental. Some 85,000 Argentina fans will be on hand to watch the 39-year-old idol perform his wizardry in a friendly against Benin that brings down the curtain on his 21-year international career. Millions more will be following the action in South America’s largest arena, Buenos Aires’... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3369915/end-era-lionel-messi-prepares-hang-argentina-boots-monumental-farewell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3369915/end-era-lionel-messi-prepares-hang-argentina-boots-monumental-farewell?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:00:07 +0000 Reuters Reuters Lionel Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022 and the final in 2026, is retiring from international football, he ‌said on Monday. The record eight-times Ballon d’Or winner is his country’s record appearance-maker and scorer with 125 goals in 207 games, having transformed a complicated relationship with the national team into a story of redemption and triumph. “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come,” the 39-year-old... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3365891/lionel-messi-retires-argentinas-international-team?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3365891/lionel-messi-retires-argentinas-international-team?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:19:37 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Lionel Messi scored his first goal since his father’s death but Inter Miami had to settle for a 2-2 Major League Soccer draw on Thursday against Philadelphia Union. The Argentine superstar gave Miami a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute with a trademark curling left-footed shot into the far corner. After a restrained celebration with teammates, in which he allowed himself a brief smile, Messi pointed towards the sky over Philadelphia. Messi had been instrumental in Miami’s first goal five minutes... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3364649/lionel-messi-nets-inter-miamis-philadelphia-draw-first-goal-fathers-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3364649/lionel-messi-nets-inter-miamis-philadelphia-draw-first-goal-fathers-death?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:09:58 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong’s football fans enthusiastically embraced the World Cup, gathering to watch broadcasts of the matches even though many were played at inconvenient times. Their passion for the game during the summer season did not end with the final in the US last month. The city’s football festival, featuring two matches between top English and Italian teams, gave supporters a golden opportunity to see some of their heroes perform live. More than 86,000 fans in total watched the games, in which Inter... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3363292/stacked-sporting-calendar-gives-hong-kong-winning-edge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3363292/stacked-sporting-calendar-gives-hong-kong-winning-edge?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Aug 2026 23:15:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters After witnessing what Lionel Messi was still capable of at this summer’s World Cup, the president of ⁠the Argentina Football Association is not rushing ⁠the all-time great out the door. Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia said in an interview on Argentine TV that Messi was the only person making the decision when to hang up his boots. “It’s a decision that is purely and personally his,” Tapia said, according to a translation. “You ‌have to let him relax. In 2022, we didn’t know if he’d play in 2026. He said... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3363392/no-pressure-lionel-messi-retire-says-argentina-boss-hell-decide-when-time-right?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3363392/no-pressure-lionel-messi-retire-says-argentina-boss-hell-decide-when-time-right?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Having created one of the runaway television hits of this summer’s Fifa World Cup, Lenovo is plotting to up the AI ante for the women’s version next year in Brazil. In addition to building digital twins for all 1,248 players to enhance semi-automated offside technology for the 2026 finals, labelled “the first AI World Cup”, and rolling out an analytical tool aimed at “democratising football”, the tech giants were responsible for Ref Cam, which made its major tournament debut in North... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3362876/after-ref-cam-lights-world-cup-whats-next-lenovos-ai-tech-football?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3362876/after-ref-cam-lights-world-cup-whats-next-lenovos-ai-tech-football?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:30:07 +0000 Reuters Reuters Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and ⁠Norway striker Erling ⁠Haaland have been ⁠named in the fan-voted Fifa World Cup dream team, with both rewarded for stand-out performances during unexpected runs by their teams. Vozinha topped the goalkeeper ‌vote with 39.6 per cent after a string of impressive displays for World Cup debutants Cabo Verde, taking the place in the team despite Spain’s Unai Simon winning the golden glove, which is selected by a ⁠Fifa technical group. The 40-year-old, who was... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361520/vozinha-haaland-named-world-cup-dream-team-no-place-kane-yamal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361520/vozinha-haaland-named-world-cup-dream-team-no-place-kane-yamal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:31:01 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Spain is back atop the football world for a second time, after Ferran Torres’ first goal of this year’s World Cup – unquestionably the goal of his life – gave his country a 1-0 win over now-dethroned champion Argentina in the final on Sunday. “It was a goal scored by 47 million people,” Torres said, referring to Spain’s population. The goal came with Argentina down to 10 men after Enzo Fernández was sent off late in regulation following a reckless tackle. Tempers flared then, and flared again... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3361188/meet-ferran-torres-who-scored-spains-winning-world-cup-goal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3361188/meet-ferran-torres-who-scored-spains-winning-world-cup-goal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 07:39:33 +0000 Agencies Agencies French superstar Kylian Mbappe became the first player to win multiple Fifa World Cup Golden Boot awards ⁠after Spain beat Argentina ⁠1-0 in the final on Sunday. Mbappe finished with 10 goals for the tournament after scoring twice in France’s 6-4 loss to England on Saturday in the third-place match. Real Madrid forward Mbappe also won the prize with eight goals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where France were beaten in the final by Lionel Messi and Argentina. Messi, who was searching for his... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361147/frances-kylian-mbappe-wins-second-world-cup-golden-boot-spain-sweep-other-awards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361147/frances-kylian-mbappe-wins-second-world-cup-golden-boot-spain-sweep-other-awards?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:58:19 +0000 Eric Jiang,Edith Lin Eric Jiang,Edith Lin The World Cup brought in an extra HK$500 million (US$63.8 million) for Hong Kong’s catering sector this year, an industry leader has said, after restaurants and shopping centres hosted overnight viewings of the final with dim sum, snacks and milk tea. Businesses were also urged on Monday to devise creative strategies and set competitive prices to maintain the momentum from the city’s World Cup fever. The final between Spain and Argentina drew crowds of football fans, including children and the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3361141/dim-sum-and-bubble-tea-3am-football-fans-pack-hong-kong-malls-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3361141/dim-sum-and-bubble-tea-3am-football-fans-pack-hong-kong-malls-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:04:54 +0000 dpa dpa Spain against Argentina: two of football’s powerhouses are set to battle for the most prestigious trophy in the world game. Sunday’s World Cup final in East Rutherford, just outside New York, has much more to offer than just the showdown between superstars Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal. Here is a look at what speaks in favour of defending champions Argentina and what speaks in favour of European champions Spain. What can help Spain? Defensive strength: Spain have conceded just one goal on their... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361095/fifa-world-cup-final-what-factors-favour-argentina-what-factors-favour-spain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361095/fifa-world-cup-final-what-factors-favour-argentina-what-factors-favour-spain?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:30:06 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu As Spain and Argentina prepare to go head to head in the World Cup final, China may have already claimed the tournament’s main economic prize without stepping onto the pitch. This year’s World Cup has generated a substantial windfall for many Chinese businesses that produce and export sports items and merchandise to global markets. Zheng Ziyi, who runs an apparel export business in China’s central Jiangxi province, said he had seen orders for Argentina jerseys surge after the team defeated... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360943/china-did-not-qualify-world-cup-it-may-have-won-economic-terms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3360943/china-did-not-qualify-world-cup-it-may-have-won-economic-terms?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:00:06 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Lionel Messi may not play in one of the best domestic competitions, but his performance at the World Cup has made him favourite to win the Ballon d’Or this year. The Argentinian has raced ahead of rivals Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane by reaching the final, with bookies and prediction markets shortening the odds on him claiming a record-extending ninth trophy for the game’s best player. Spain’s Lamine Yamal could yet upset the 39-year-old’s apple cart though, with the teenager second favourite and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361051/messi-pulls-ahead-yamal-ballon-dor-race-all-play-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3361051/messi-pulls-ahead-yamal-ballon-dor-race-all-play-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:00:07 +0000 dpa dpa Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal meet for the first time on the football pitch in Sunday’s World Cup final, which serves as a reminder that the Argentina veteran and the Spain teenager share an extraordinary history dating back to 2007. Back then, rising Barcelona star Messi was pictured bathing and cradling an infant Yamal in a photo shoot organised by Barcelona and their shirt sponsors, children’s relief organisation Unicef, for a calendar. Yamal’s parents were invited via a raffle conducted by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360995/2-stars-and-bathtub-when-world-cup-leading-men-lionel-messi-lamine-yamal-first-met?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360995/2-stars-and-bathtub-when-world-cup-leading-men-lionel-messi-lamine-yamal-first-met?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:00:11 +0000 dpa dpa Spain are reaching for a second World Cup title on Sunday against Argentina, 16 years after their first, and are doing so in a way that hardly fits the dominance of the superstars at this tournament. While other teams rely on their biggest names, the European champions have earned their return to a World Cup final in their own unique way. Following are three key reasons for their success: The team is the star No Spaniard receives as much attention from fans and the media as Lamine Yamal. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360832/true-team-strong-defence-unbeatable-coach-why-spain-are-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360832/true-team-strong-defence-unbeatable-coach-why-spain-are-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:09 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball If England is the home of football — debatable - then it very definitely isn’t coming home for at least another four years. The world champions, meanwhile, will defend their title on Sunday having come from behind yet again against opponents who seemed to delight in making it easy for them. For Argentina and Lionel Messi, there is an inevitability about the South Americans right now and their 2-1 win in Atlanta sets up a clash with Spain that should prove a fitting climax to this year’s World... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360732/while-you-were-sleeping-england-blow-it-away-throw-it-away-argentina-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360732/while-you-were-sleeping-england-blow-it-away-throw-it-away-argentina-world-cup-final?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:01:57 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara A penny for the thoughts of Gareth Southgate, the former England head coach so often lambasted for his conservative, watchful tactics when major prizes were on the line. His successor, Thomas Tuchel, the Champions League-winning boss hired to end the Three Lions’ tournament hoodoo, watched Anthony Gordon put his team 1-0 up against Argentina after 55 minutes of this World Cup semi-final, then went into full-on belt-and-braces mode. On came defenders Ezri Konsa and Dan Burn, as England sank... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360728/martinez-late-show-sends-argentina-world-cup-final-england-going-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360728/martinez-late-show-sends-argentina-world-cup-final-england-going-home?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:15:25 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara The fact that England were delayed arriving in Atlanta from their Kansas City training base on Tuesday was indicative of the hectic nature of their World Cup; travelling around 15,000 miles to play in six cities across two countries, and surviving a pair of exhausting knockout matches to reach this semi-final against Argentina in Atlanta. Sitting on the dais in a sprawling, jam-packed media room in the magnificent Mercedes-Benz Stadium 1½ hours later than scheduled, Thomas Tuchel, the head... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360617/fifa-world-cup-england-are-hungry-ready-go-semi-final-against-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360617/fifa-world-cup-england-are-hungry-ready-go-semi-final-against-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:30:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang More than six million people have signed an online petition demanding Argentina’s expulsion from the World Cup, amid allegations of referee favouritism that the team’s manager has dismissed as impossible to pull off in the VAR era. The petition, hosted on argentinaout.com, went viral recently after calling for the reigning world champions to be disqualified from the tournament in North America. Its organisers claim that Fifa and match officials have actively favoured Argentina and their captain,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360559/fifa-world-cup-6-million-sign-petition-kick-out-argentina-citing-referee-favouritism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360559/fifa-world-cup-6-million-sign-petition-kick-out-argentina-citing-referee-favouritism?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:03:12 +0000 Reuters Reuters Spain and France rightly feel that the winner of their semi-final will go on to claim the ⁠World Cup. England and Argentina, who play ⁠in the other semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday (Thursday 3am, Hong Kong time), would disagree ⁠but as Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente said of their showdown in Arlington, Texas: “It’s not an exaggeration to describe this match as a final before the final.” France are the top-ranked team in the Fifa rankings, while Spain are No 3. With Argentina at No 2 and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360492/fifa-world-cup-all-eyes-mbappe-yamal-spain-france-meet-final-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360492/fifa-world-cup-all-eyes-mbappe-yamal-spain-france-meet-final-final?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:30:05 +0000 Associated Press,Agence France-Presse Associated Press,Agence France-Presse It is a World Cup semi-final line-up for the ages: four previous champions and the four top-ranking teams in the world. Five of the six top scorers, one GOAT and one of the most bitter rivalries in football. Argentina, Spain, France and England went into the tournament as the top four in Fifa’s rankings and are two wins away from being crowned champions of the world again. France will play Spain in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday (Wednesday 3am, Hong Kong time) and England will face Argentina in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360418/fifa-world-cup-semi-finals-4-previous-champions-bitter-rivalry-race-golden-boot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360418/fifa-world-cup-semi-finals-4-previous-champions-bitter-rivalry-race-golden-boot?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:17 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Many bars, restaurants and shopping centres in Hong Kong have enjoyed brisk business thanks to the World Cup, with top nightlife district Lan Kwai Fong recording up to a 70 per cent jump in patronage during big matches. Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman told the South China Morning Post that he had joined football fans in the entertainment district in Central for the England-Norway game in the early hours of Sunday morning. “It’s [been] a crazy night. It’ll only get crazier once we get... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3360266/world-cup-2026-hong-kong-pubs-restaurants-enjoy-net-gains-big-matches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3360266/world-cup-2026-hong-kong-pubs-restaurants-enjoy-net-gains-big-matches?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jul 2026 06:24:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Sunday, setting up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against bitter rivals England. Fans of the South American team dominated the stands in Kansas City and they were celebrating as early as the 10th minute when their hero Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opener. Switzerland levelled midway through the second half through Dan Ndoye but minutes later Breel Embolo was sent off... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360259/fifa-world-cup-argentina-beat-switzerland-book-blockbuster-england-date?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360259/fifa-world-cup-argentina-beat-switzerland-book-blockbuster-england-date?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Jul 2026 04:17:12 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan France’s star striker Kylian Mbappe has become the first player in history to score at least eight goals in two Fifa World Cup finals after guiding his team into the semi-finals for the third straight tournament on Thursday. The Real Madrid frontman missed a first-half penalty before finding the net for his eighth goal of the current tournament, leading France to a comfortable 2-0 win over Morocco, and also assisted on Ousmane Dembélé’s goal just minutes later. Mbappé also scored eight goals at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360126/latest-mbappe-goal-makes-him-first-player-score-least-8-multiple-world-cup-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360126/latest-mbappe-goal-makes-him-first-player-score-least-8-multiple-world-cup-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:57:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty but curled in a superb goal on the hour as France struck twice in six minutes to brush aside Morocco 2-0 on Friday ‌and book their spot in the World Cup semi-finals. Striker Mbappe, who at 27 became the youngest player to rack up 20 World Cup appearances, also bagged his 20th finals goal with a precise shot from just inside the box before Ousmane Dembele struck home a low drive to set up a last-four meeting with Belgium or Spain. France captain Mbappe is the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360039/fifa-world-cup-kylian-mbappe-fires-france-past-morocco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360039/fifa-world-cup-kylian-mbappe-fires-france-past-morocco?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 22:51:22 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Dimitar Berbatov has urged “complete player” Harry Kane to return to the English Premier League, as the superstar striker gets set for a heavyweight World Cup quarter-final duel with Erling Haaland and Norway on Sunday. Currently fourth in the Golden Boot standings on six goals, Kane is poised to enter the final year of his deal with Bayern Munich, where he has handsomely ended his infamous trophy drought following a 2023 move from Tottenham Hotspur. In Hong Kong for the launch of next month’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360009/fifa-world-cup-dimitar-berbatov-explains-why-lionel-messi-outdid-cristiano-ronaldo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3360009/fifa-world-cup-dimitar-berbatov-explains-why-lionel-messi-outdid-cristiano-ronaldo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:15:04 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Defending champions Argentina have seen their chances of winning the Fifa World Cup drop further in the latest calculations by a supercomputer, and are now ranked fourth among the quarter-finalists as the final stages of the biggest football tournament in the world draw nearer. Having won their third World Cup in Qatar four years ago, Argentina – the only South American team left in the current tournament – are ranked fourth of the remaining eight teams, with only a 15.93 per cent chance of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359980/fifa-world-cup-has-argentinas-chances-winning-improved-supercomputer-says-no?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359980/fifa-world-cup-has-argentinas-chances-winning-improved-supercomputer-says-no?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:30:06 +0000 Agencies Agencies More World Cup teams, but same World Cup story. This edition in North America started with 48 teams; it is now down to eight, with six of those from Europe, with the exceptions being Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the reigning champions, and Morocco. And unless the remaining African side pulls off a series of surprising outcomes over the final two weeks, the champions will again come from Europe or South America. A tournament that has been around for almost a century – the first World Cup was in 1930... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359954/messi-morocco-and-same-old-story-europe-dominates-quarter-finals-expanded-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359954/messi-morocco-and-same-old-story-europe-dominates-quarter-finals-expanded-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:07 +0000 Agencies Agencies For a while on Tuesday, it appeared that the players of World Cup holders Argentina might shed a tear following their round-of-16 match against Egypt. And Argentina star Lionel Messi was seen weeping after the final whistle, but it was out of joy and relief rather than disappointment. Argentina trailed by two goals with 11 minutes to play in Atlanta, then stormed back for a stunning 3-2 victory. Rather than pack up their base camp at Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359879/teary-argentina-messi-now-face-world-cups-last-cinderella-team-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359879/teary-argentina-messi-now-face-world-cups-last-cinderella-team-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse France begin their final push towards a third World Cup crown on Thursday when they take on Morocco in a blockbuster showdown as a star-studded quarter-final line-up kicks off. After a month of scintillating action that has dispelled pre-tournament anxieties over sky-high ticket prices and geopolitics, the biggest, boldest and most logistically complex World Cup ever staged has been whittled down to eight teams. France, who have emerged as the outstanding team of the tournament after a series of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359854/world-cup-france-face-morocco-2022-semi-final-rematch-quarter-finals-get-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359854/world-cup-france-face-morocco-2022-semi-final-rematch-quarter-finals-get-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:11 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball As one famous TV commentator might have said after watching Argentina’s remarkable 3-2 win over Egypt, “name on the trophy”. A famous manager might also have exclaimed, “football, bloody hell”. The breathtaking result in Atlanta, which conjured images of that night long ago in Barcelona, kept the defending champions on course for the final, when for all the world it looked as though their luck had finally run out. Whether it was luck or the result of a helping hand from VAR and referee Francois... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359784/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-var-robs-egypt-messi-magic-saves-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359784/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-var-robs-egypt-messi-magic-saves-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:00:53 +0000 Agencies Agencies Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni dismissed the idea that his team was feeling the pressure of being among the top favourites to win the World Cup. “This team have been playing as a favourite for several years and have always played well. But when things aren’t going your way, you fight, with grit, determination … and this team have that,” he said in a news conference on Monday. “You can play better, but if you don’t, if you don’t have that, you’re out.” Defending champions Argentina will face... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359731/coach-says-argentina-not-feeling-pressure-being-world-cup-co-favourites-messi-start?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359731/coach-says-argentina-not-feeling-pressure-being-world-cup-co-favourites-messi-start?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:00:13 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat As Cabo Verde lined up against Argentina in the biggest match in the tiny island nation’s football history, China has played a hard-to-miss role in important chapters of its journey to the Fifa World Cup 2026 – from its players’ boots to the first standardised sports stadium. Cabo Verde’s World Cup debut ended in a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina in Miami, but the tiny African nation won global admiration after twice coming from behind, with goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, commonly known... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3359612/cabo-verde-wows-world-cup-economic-assist-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3359612/cabo-verde-wows-world-cup-economic-assist-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Jul 2026 13:00:08 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese football fans were enthralled watching World Cup debutant Cabo Verde’s fairytale run come to a thrilling end against defending champions Argentina on Saturday in the round of 32. The smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds surprised football fans again by pushing Argentina all the way to extra-time, eventually losing 3-2 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Despite losing thanks to an own goal by Diney Borges, the tiny nation off the coast of West Africa won the hearts of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359406/cabo-verdes-fairytale-world-cup-run-knockouts-wins-hearts-chinese-football-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359406/cabo-verdes-fairytale-world-cup-run-knockouts-wins-hearts-chinese-football-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:01:42 +0000 Reuters Reuters Reigning champions ⁠Argentina needed an extra-time own goal to overcome a Cabo Verde side with incredible levels of resilience 3-2 in a thrilling contest on Friday and secure their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup. The Africans, playing in their first World Cup, had twice come from a goal down to silence the vast majority of the crowd of 64,478 packed into a hot and humid Hard Rock Stadium. Six minutes into the second period of extra-time, Lionel Messi swung a corner into ‌the box and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359388/messi-adds-world-cup-goals-tally-argentina-just-survive-cabo-verde-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359388/messi-adds-world-cup-goals-tally-argentina-just-survive-cabo-verde-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:00:30 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A classic David v Goliath encounter will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as tiny Cabo Verde face Lionel Messi and Argentina with a place in the last 16 at stake. Cabo Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, face the defending champions in Miami dreaming of pulling off what would be the greatest upset in World Cup history. The Atlantic archipelago have become one of the fairytale stories of this year’s expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359301/cape-verde-ready-match-our-lives-against-defending-champions-argentina-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3359301/cape-verde-ready-match-our-lives-against-defending-champions-argentina-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:00:07 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee Among the hundreds of thousands of fans who travelled to North America for the World Cup are countless Chinese supporters. Yet while China remains one of the world’s largest football markets, its presence at the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3358946/chinas-fifa-fever-eus-trade-deadline-7-global-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3358946/chinas-fifa-fever-eus-trade-deadline-7-global-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:30:10 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball There is a parallel universe, where Erling Haaland opted to play for the land of his birth and is even now powering England on their way to a first World Cup since 1966. In that alternative timeline, the 6ft 5in striker will end the 2026 tournament with the golden boot and the almost certain knowledge he will one day be the greatest goalscorer the game has ever seen, overhauling the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe with ease. Who is to say he won’t yet achieve either of those things in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358961/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-haalands-inevitable-mbappe-unstoppable-koeman-quits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358961/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-haalands-inevitable-mbappe-unstoppable-koeman-quits?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:05:25 +0000 Reuters Reuters Lionel Messi ⁠became the ⁠first player to ⁠score in seven consecutive World Cup matches as Argentina continued their winning ways with a 3-1 victory over ‌Jordan in their Group J clash in Dallas on Saturday. In the other group match, Austria salvaged a 3-3 draw ⁠with Algeria after a thrilling finale featuring two stoppage-time ‌goals, a result that put both teams into the last 32 and sent Iran out of the tournament. The South Americans topped the group, while Austria ⁠finished second and will... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358633/lionel-messi-makes-more-world-cup-history-iran-out-after-algeria-austria-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358633/lionel-messi-makes-more-world-cup-history-iran-out-after-algeria-austria-thriller?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Jun 2026 04:24:47 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball For a time on Saturday in New Jersey, England were on the road to a last 32 meeting with Portugal and a potential last 16 clash with Spain, at which point you would have expected their interest in this year’s World Cup to have come to a crashing halt. As it was, two goals in the space of five minutes against Panama averted that particular disaster, and now either the Senegal or the Democratic Republic of Congo are their likely opponents. Croatia and Ghana also progressed from the group, ending... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358622/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-england-ronaldo-and-avoiding-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358622/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-england-ronaldo-and-avoiding-argentina?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Jun 2026 23:27:41 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Chinese football fans have recently been scouring the internet for an unlikely item: not trainers, autographs, jerseys, or even a football, but the small elastic hairbands used by striker Erling Haaland. Dubbed by social media users on the mainland as the World Cup’s “most meme-able man,” Haaland has captivated a massive Chinese following both inside and outside football this summer through his skills, unwitting comical appeal, distinctive appearance, and character. In the early hours of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358610/erling-haalands-hairbands-latest-must-have-star-struck-chinese-football-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358610/erling-haalands-hairbands-latest-must-have-star-struck-chinese-football-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:00:10 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball France against Norway was supposed to be about which of the world’s best strikers would come out on top; instead Erling Haaland spent 90 minutes on the bench, Kylian Mbappe had one shot and a player who until this week had never scored at a World Cup dominated proceedings. Senegal, meanwhile, put five past Iraq to finish third in Group I and give themselves a chance of making the last 32, while also pushing Scotland out of the eight places available to the best third-placed teams. Elsewhere, an... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358573/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-haaland-dropped-france-win-james-injury-scare?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358573/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-haaland-dropped-france-win-james-injury-scare?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jun 2026 23:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A mouthwatering duel between in-form goal scorers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will take centre stage at the World Cup on Friday as France face Norway in a crucial Group I decider. Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering form, neck-and-neck on four goals apiece in the race for the Golden Boot, just behind leader Lionel Messi on five. On Friday, the two forwards will meet in a heavyweight collision at Foxborough, outside Boston, at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358504/fifa-world-cup-form-mbappe-haaland-clash-france-face-norway-group-decider?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358504/fifa-world-cup-form-mbappe-haaland-clash-france-face-norway-group-decider?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:00:05 +0000 Lucy Quaggin,Yuanyue Dang Lucy Quaggin,Yuanyue Dang On a sunny day in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighbourhood, punters piled into the fifth floor of Time Out Market to Portugal House – part food court, part bar, full-blown World Cup party. The room was awash with Portuguese team jerseys, filled with fans sipping cold beer and soft drinks, proudly singing Portugal’s national anthem before their match against DR Congo. “Hopefully, one day I can sing the Chinese national song in a World Cup stadium,” said Zhai Yibo, a 20-year-old Chinese student studying in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3358257/no-team-world-cup-china-fans-root-ronaldo-messi-and-referee?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3358257/no-team-world-cup-china-fans-root-ronaldo-messi-and-referee?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 21:13:08 +0000 Umesh Bhagchandani Umesh Bhagchandani Argentinian striker Lionel Messi, who turns 39 today, has broken records by becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer, netting two goals against Austria on Monday to lead his country to a 2-0 victory in group stage play in Dallas. A few days before the match, Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo took to Instagram to share a snap of herself and the couple’s three sons wearing matching Argentina jerseys, with the caption, “Vamoooos Argentina! Con vos siempre @leomessi! Sos increíble!”... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3358132/lionel-messis-wife-antonela-roccuzzo-childhood-sweethearts-2026-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3358132/lionel-messis-wife-antonela-roccuzzo-childhood-sweethearts-2026-world-cup?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:30:32 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport We’re deep into the group stage of this year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, but there is plenty of action still to come. Will Norway or France top Group I, who will they play if they do, and what route could Lionel Messi and Argentina take to the final. All the information you need is here, in one handy graphic. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358080/fifa-world-cup-results-group-tables-fixtures-and-kick-times?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358080/fifa-world-cup-results-group-tables-fixtures-and-kick-times?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:30:05 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Some of China’s biggest companies are chasing the signature of Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, hoping to harness the commercial power of the African player’s World Cup heroics. The 40-year-old, whose man of the match performance in a goalless draw with Spain last week catapulted him to global stardom, has become an internet sensation, attracting more social media followers than some of the biggest names in sport, including NBA star Kevin Durant and NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With China... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358075/fifa-world-cup-chinese-companies-hope-help-cabo-verde-star-cash-new-found-fame?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3358075/fifa-world-cup-chinese-companies-hope-help-cabo-verde-star-cash-new-found-fame?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Varvara Rodchenko Varvara Rodchenko The internet hasn’t been taking it easy on Cristiano Ronaldo. As Portugal’s first World Cup game against the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 18 ended up in a 1:1 draw, several netizens took out their frustration on the star player. While some praised the Congo national team for a breakthrough appearance after 52 years off the World Cup pitch, others were concerned that the 41-year-old football legend’s age was to blame for the disappointing result. Others even compared CR7 to his long-time... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3358007/12-world-cup-2026s-oldest-players-cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3358007/12-world-cup-2026s-oldest-players-cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:45:38 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Miroslav Klose began Tuesday as the joint-leading goalscorer in World Cup history; it is only a matter of time before he drops to third on the list. Lionel Messi’s double in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria took him to 18, two clear of the World Cup winner, while Kylian Mbappe’s double in a 3-0 win over Iraq left him level with the German. A severe weather delay meant almost three hours passed between Mbappe’s first and second, and by the time France left the field, Norway were already one up on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3357980/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-lionel-messi-sets-goal-record-mbappe-gives-chase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/football/article/3357980/world-cup-while-you-were-sleeping-lionel-messi-sets-goal-record-mbappe-gives-chase?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:02:20 +0000