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Lionel Messi
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Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
The latest stories and features on footballer Lionel Messi, including professional football news and updates.
Born
24 Jun 1987
Industry
Sport
Job Title
Athlete
Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi (centre) holds the World Cup after beating France in the 2022 final in Qatar. Photo: AFP
Fifa World Cup 2026

The last dance: Messi and Ronaldo get ready for sixth and final Fifa World Cup

Two best players of their generation prepare to make history this summer, 20 years after their first appearances at football’s biggest tournament.

Fifa World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi tipped for Hong Kong return, Argentine gearing up for World Cup

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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Eastern boss plotting Hong Kong domination, exits ‘pain in process’ of progress

China trade

How this Chinese city is netting profits amid 2026 World Cup fever

Yiwu, the world’s capital of small goods, tackles global market for football-related merchandise as buzz builds ahead of major tournament.

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A foreign buyer checks footballs at a store in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
My Take

My Take | World Cup football belongs to the fans, not to Trump and his friend at Fifa

Supporters in Hong Kong may be rubbing their hands at the prospect of seeing their favourite teams at Kai Tak Stadium, but those travelling to the global showpiece risk paying a much higher price.

Hong Kong Football Festival

Editorial | Hot summer of football festival fever ahead for Hong Kong

The return of star-studded matches featuring top European clubs heralds a second straight summer of football enthusiasm for local fans.

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Hong Kong Football Festival

Football Festival boss eyes Sevens-style boom, dismisses threat from rivals

TEG Sport managing director Rachael Carroll on overcoming Messi fiasco and making event a permanent fixture in city’s sporting calendar.

Rachael Carroll speaking at the launch of the 2025 Hong Kong Football Festival. Photo: TEG
Formula One (F1)

Gulf’s decades-long strategy of sporting investment rocked by war

Since February, dozens of events due to be held have been cancelled or postponed, including football’s ‘Finalissima’, grands prix, MotoGP.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi scores 900th career goal in Inter Milan match, joins Ronaldo in elite club

Argentine World Cup winner reaches landmark in 1,142nd appearance for club and country, ⁠almost 100 games ⁠fewer than the Portuguese.

US, Israel war on Iran

US bombing of Iran disrupts sports with doubt over Messi, Ronaldo games and F1

Cancellations and travel shutdowns affecting events in Middle East and elsewhere as conflict spreads across region.

The expanding conflict in the Middle East could have implications for the World Cup, as well as matches next month in the region. Photo: AP
Fifa

Argentina FA in turmoil ahead of World Cup over mystery villa, dirty money claims

Carlos Tevez claim over actions of governing body’s treasurer prompted investigation that uncovered 54 cars, helicopter at luxury property.

A member of the Argentine Federal Police walks after seizing a printer from the Claudio Chiqui Tapia stadium in Buenos Aires, which belongs to the soccer team Barracas Central, during a raid on December 9. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Year in football: growth, mismatches point to direction ‘beautiful game’ will take

‘Success’ of Club World Cup, bigger World Cup go hand in hand with more money, technology coming in, but player welfare is an issue.

India

Kick-off in Kolkata: how Lionel Messi was dragged into an Indian election battle

The BJP has latched on to the crowd chaos during Messi’s visit to West Bengal to demand the resignation of the state’s chief minister.

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India

Video | Indian fans storm stadium after Messi exit

Fans were left with barely a glimpse of Messi after paying over US$100 to see the touring Argentine superstar.

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Fifa World Cup 2026

Another Lionel Messi farce as angry Indian fans riot, vandalise stadium

Video shows fans, who had paid ‘a month’s salary’ to see touring Argentine superstar, throwing ripped-up seats, other objects onto field.

Fans throw chairs after Lionel Messi departs from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Fifa

Fifa World Cup draw: who Asian teams will play, how Ronaldo v Messi could happen

Son Heung-min’s South Korea among seven Asian nations who learn their opponents in the draw in Washington.

Fifa

Fifa World Cup draw repeats past as France face Senegal, England play Croatia

Argentina drawn to start against Algeria after a show that lasts almost as long as a football match.

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Fifa

Trump looms over Fifa World Cup draw as it starts countdown to 2026 finals

US president expected to play prominent role as Washington stages draw for the tournament, to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino (left) speaks alongside US President Donald Trump at the White House in March. Photo: AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo makes history as first billionaire footballer after hefty Saudi payday

Portuguese star joins ‘three comma club’ after signing new two-year deal with Al-Nassr worth almost £500 million.

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Timepieces

Lionel Messi’s colourful watches – from a ‘Barbie’ Rolex to Flamingo Blue Tudor

The Inter Miami football player rocks a Patek Philippe Cubitus, Rolex Daytonas, and unique Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks.

Kitchee SC

Lionel Messi’s former Barcelona colleague bringing winning mentality to Kitchee

Roger Riera eager to tackle first Asian challenge following spells in Spain, the Netherlands and with Nottingham Forest.

Roger Riera aims a pass during pre-season training with Kitchee. Photo: Edmond So
Italian Serie A

Could Messi finish career in Italy? Indonesian billionaires eye ‘dream’ transfer

Serie A club Como have richest owners in the Italian league in brothers Robert and Michael Hartono, who have ambitious plans for the club.

Lionel Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs until the end of the 2025 MLS season and he is in talks over an extension. Photo: Reuters
Fifa

Club World Cup: Fifa head’s baby up and running – football may never be the same

Gianni Infantino says event, which opened with draw between Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al-Ahly, ‘will change our sport for the better’.

Fifa

Lionel Messi denied by woodwork as Inter Miami draw Club World Cup opener

Almost 61,000 fans attend at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami share goalless draw with Egypt’s Al-Ahly in Florida.

Fifa

Fifa Club World Cup: when it starts, which teams are playing in new-look event

US-hosted tournament features 32 teams and some of the world’s best players, but question marks remain over how it will received.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino is banking on the Club World Cup becoming one of the biggest and wealthiest tournaments in sport. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

My Take | Top football clubs need to repay Asian fans with value for money

The visiting teams have a duty to respect and not take for granted their supporters who welcome any opportunity to see them play in the flesh.

Hong Kong fans cheer for Manchester United at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Elson Li
Fifa

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami risk Club World Cup humiliation after latest failure

A 5-1 aggregate defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-final comes after a shock failure to win main domestic title.

AFC Champions League

Ronaldo, Messi knocked out in Asian and Concacaf Champions League semis

Al-Nassr stunned by Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in AFC version while Inter Miami lose to Vancouver Whitecaps in Concacaf competition.

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