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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

Chelsea fans pose for photos outside Kai Tak Stadium before the second of the Hong Kong Football Festival match, of Chelsea vs Juventus, on August 5. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong sports

Editorial | A stacked sporting calendar gives Hong Kong the winning edge

From high-profile football to world fencing action, major events are serving up real social and economic rewards.

9 Aug 2026 - 7:15AM

Argentina

No pressure on Lionel Messi to retire from football, says Argentina boss

8 Aug 2026 - 9:00PM

Fifa

After Ref Cam lights up World Cup, what’s next for Lenovo’s AI tech in football?

4 Aug 2026 - 5:30PM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Vozinha, Haaland named in World Cup dream team, but no place for Kane, Yamal

Fans voted for Cabo Verde’s hero goalkeeper but left out golden gloves winner Unai Simon, World Cup winner Lamine Yamal.

23 Jul 2026 - 8:31AM

Cabo Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha (right) shakes hands with Lionel Messi after their side’s went to extra time at the World Cup. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Ferran Torres, who scored Spain’s winning World Cup goal

The 26-year-old was discovered when playing futsal with friends at school, and played for Valencia and Man City before joining Barcelona.

20 Jul 2026 - 3:39PM

Fifa World Cup 2026

France’s Kylian Mbappe wins second World Cup Golden Boot, Spain sweep other awards

Midfielder Rodri ‌collected the Golden Ball, goalkeeper ⁠Unai Simon won Golden Glove and defender Pau Cubarsi claimed Best Young Player.

20 Jul 2026 - 10:58AM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong restaurants score extra HK$500 million thanks to World Cup

Crowds of football fans, including children and elderly, flocked to shopping centres for match between Spain and Argentina at 3am.

20 Jul 2026 - 10:47PM

Spain celebrate their World Cup win against Argentina. Photo: Associated Press

Fifa

Fifa World Cup final: what factors favour Argentina, what factors favour Spain

Looking beyond Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, what are the strengths that help title holders Argentina and European champions Spain?

19 Jul 2026 - 9:30PM

China exports

China did not qualify for the World Cup. It may have won in economic terms

While its men’s team has not competed since 2002, this year’s tournament has generated significant profit for many Chinese firms.

19 Jul 2026 - 4:03PM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Messi pulls ahead of Yamal in Ballon d’Or race, with all to play for at World Cup

Bookies, prediction markets make Lionel Messi favourite to claim trophy despite 39-year-old playing in a second-tier domestic competition.

18 Jul 2026 - 9:00PM

Lionel Messi’s performances at the World Cup have made him favourite to win a record ninth Ballon d’Or. Photo: dpa

Fifa

2 stars and a bathtub: when World Cup leading men Messi and Yamal first met

The two superstars face each other for the first time on the pitch in the final, but they share an incredible backstory from 19 years ago.

18 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

Lionel Messi, then 20, helps to bathe Lamine Yamal, who was six months old, during a photo shoot in the dressing room of Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium in 2007. Photo: AP

Fifa

True team, strong defence, unbeatable coach: why Spain are in the World Cup final

European champions Spain face South American champions Argentina in Sunday’s final, and there are three key reasons for their strong run.

17 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

Fifa World Cup 2026

While you were sleeping: England blow it, Argentina march into World Cup final

Three Lions facing another four years of hurt after throwing away semi-final lead. Defending champions to take on Spain in historic final.

16 Jul 2026 - 7:01AM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Fifa World Cup: Tuchel tactics leave England wondering what might have been

Argentina come from behind again, but England boss Thomas Tuchel will face plenty of questions in coming days after his side’s defeat.

16 Jul 2026 - 12:22PM

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Lautaro Martinez scores the winner. Photo: AP

Fifa

Fifa World Cup: England are ‘hungry, ready to go’ in semi-final against Argentina

Head coach Thomas Tuchel says finals are ‘draining and nerve-racking’ but make him ‘feel alive’ before highly-anticipated clash in Atlanta.

15 Jul 2026 - 1:30PM

Thomas Tuchel addressing the media at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images

Fifa

6 million sign petition to kick Argentina out of World Cup, citing favouritism

Organisers of argentinaout.com claim Fifa and match officials have favoured the defending champions and their captain, Lionel Messi.

15 Jul 2026 - 5:45PMvideocam

Fifa

All eyes on Mbappe, Yamal as Spain, France meet in ‘final before the final’

France, Fifa’s No 1 team, face No 3-ranked team in first semi-final, but Spain may have upper hand, having won their past two meetings.

14 Jul 2026 - 3:30PM

Fifa

Fifa World Cup semis: 4 previous champions, a bitter rivalry, race for Golden Boot

Top four in Fifa rankings meet over two blockbuster matches, with Mbappé v Yamal and Messi v Kane just two of many intriguing storylines.

14 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

Spain’s star forward Lamine Yamal (left) has yet to show his best, while France’s Kylian Mbappe is leading the race for the Golden Boot with Argentina's Lionel Messi. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong economy

Fifa World Cup: Hong Kong pubs, restaurants enjoy net gains from big matches

Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman says business ‘up 60 to 70 per cent’ in nightlife district and set to get ‘crazier’ for the final.

13 Jul 2026 - 12:41PM

Fifa

Fifa World Cup: Argentina beat Switzerland to book blockbuster England date

Defending champions given run for money before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez break 10-man Swiss resistance.

12 Jul 2026 - 3:36PM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Latest Mbappe goal makes him first to score at least 8 at multiple World Cups

Current World Cup is also first in history in which two players have scored at least eight goals in the same tournament.

10 Jul 2026 - 6:29PM

Kylian Mbappe scores France's first goal in their quarter-final 2-0 win over Morocco at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Fifa

Fifa World Cup: Kylian Mbappe fires France past Morocco

Africa must wait at least another four years to crown first world champion, Belgium or Spain stand in way of France and third straight final.

10 Jul 2026 - 6:51AM

Kylian Mbappe salutes supporters following France’s comfortable quarter-final victory over Morocco. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Fifa World Cup: Berbatov explains why Lionel Messi outdid Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Manchester United striker keen for Harry Kane Premier League move, in Hong Kong for Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit launch.

9 Jul 2026 - 8:15PM

Fifa

Has Argentina’s chances of winning World Cup improved? Supercomputer says no

Holders are considered fourth-most-likely team among the quarter-finalists to win the tournament, though their betting odds remain unchanged.

9 Jul 2026 - 5:30PM

Fifa

Messi, Morocco and same old story as Europe dominates World Cup quarter-finals

The rest of the world has seen its share of spots shoot up, but this tournament could still end up with all-European semi-finals.

9 Jul 2026 - 4:00PM

Moroccan and French flags, and jerseys with the names of Lionel Messi and Spain's Lamine Yamal, outside a sports shop in Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Fifa

Teary Argentina, Messi face World Cup’s last Cinderella team in quarter-finals

Switzerland have not qualified for the last eight since 1954, when they were hosts, and have never advanced to the semi-finals.

9 Jul 2026 - 12:00PM

Ruben Vargas (right) celebrates with his Swiss teammates after scoring the winning penalty in the shootout win over Colombia in Vancouver on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Fifa

France face Morocco in 2022 World Cup semis rematch as quarter-finals kick off

Match between tournament’s form team and African champions the pick of final-eight line-up, with race for Golden Boot an intriguing subplot.

9 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: VAR robs Egypt, Messi magic saves Argentina

Another day, another example of VAR not being used properly. Argentina escape potential upset, while Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties.

8 Jul 2026 - 7:00AM

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Lionel Messi

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Editorial | A stacked sporting calendar gives Hong Kong the winning edge

From high-profile football to world fencing action, major events are serving up real social and economic rewards.

No pressure on Lionel Messi to retire from football, says Argentina boss

After Ref Cam lights up World Cup, what’s next for Lenovo’s AI tech in football?

Vozinha, Haaland named in World Cup dream team, but no place for Kane, Yamal

Fans voted for Cabo Verde’s hero goalkeeper but left out golden gloves winner Unai Simon, World Cup winner Lamine Yamal.

Meet Ferran Torres, who scored Spain’s winning World Cup goal

The 26-year-old was discovered when playing futsal with friends at school, and played for Valencia and Man City before joining Barcelona.

France’s Kylian Mbappe wins second World Cup Golden Boot, Spain sweep other awards

Midfielder Rodri ‌collected the Golden Ball, goalkeeper ⁠Unai Simon won Golden Glove and defender Pau Cubarsi claimed Best Young Player.

Hong Kong restaurants score extra HK$500 million thanks to World Cup

Crowds of football fans, including children and elderly, flocked to shopping centres for match between Spain and Argentina at 3am.

Fifa World Cup final: what factors favour Argentina, what factors favour Spain

Looking beyond Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, what are the strengths that help title holders Argentina and European champions Spain?

China did not qualify for the World Cup. It may have won in economic terms

While its men’s team has not competed since 2002, this year’s tournament has generated significant profit for many Chinese firms.

Messi pulls ahead of Yamal in Ballon d’Or race, with all to play for at World Cup

Bookies, prediction markets make Lionel Messi favourite to claim trophy despite 39-year-old playing in a second-tier domestic competition.

2 stars and a bathtub: when World Cup leading men Messi and Yamal first met

The two superstars face each other for the first time on the pitch in the final, but they share an incredible backstory from 19 years ago.

True team, strong defence, unbeatable coach: why Spain are in the World Cup final

European champions Spain face South American champions Argentina in Sunday’s final, and there are three key reasons for their strong run.

While you were sleeping: England blow it, Argentina march into World Cup final

Three Lions facing another four years of hurt after throwing away semi-final lead. Defending champions to take on Spain in historic final.

Fifa World Cup: Tuchel tactics leave England wondering what might have been

Argentina come from behind again, but England boss Thomas Tuchel will face plenty of questions in coming days after his side’s defeat.

Fifa World Cup: England are ‘hungry, ready to go’ in semi-final against Argentina

Head coach Thomas Tuchel says finals are ‘draining and nerve-racking’ but make him ‘feel alive’ before highly-anticipated clash in Atlanta.

6 million sign petition to kick Argentina out of World Cup, citing favouritism

Organisers of argentinaout.com claim Fifa and match officials have favoured the defending champions and their captain, Lionel Messi.

All eyes on Mbappe, Yamal as Spain, France meet in ‘final before the final’

France, Fifa’s No 1 team, face No 3-ranked team in first semi-final, but Spain may have upper hand, having won their past two meetings.

Fifa World Cup semis: 4 previous champions, a bitter rivalry, race for Golden Boot

Top four in Fifa rankings meet over two blockbuster matches, with Mbappé v Yamal and Messi v Kane just two of many intriguing storylines.

Fifa World Cup: Hong Kong pubs, restaurants enjoy net gains from big matches

Lan Kwai Fong Group chairman Allan Zeman says business ‘up 60 to 70 per cent’ in nightlife district and set to get ‘crazier’ for the final.

Fifa World Cup: Argentina beat Switzerland to book blockbuster England date

Defending champions given run for money before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez break 10-man Swiss resistance.

Latest Mbappe goal makes him first to score at least 8 at multiple World Cups

Current World Cup is also first in history in which two players have scored at least eight goals in the same tournament.

Fifa World Cup: Kylian Mbappe fires France past Morocco

Africa must wait at least another four years to crown first world champion, Belgium or Spain stand in way of France and third straight final.

Fifa World Cup: Berbatov explains why Lionel Messi outdid Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Manchester United striker keen for Harry Kane Premier League move, in Hong Kong for Jockey Club Youth Football Academy Summit launch.

Has Argentina’s chances of winning World Cup improved? Supercomputer says no

Holders are considered fourth-most-likely team among the quarter-finalists to win the tournament, though their betting odds remain unchanged.

Messi, Morocco and same old story as Europe dominates World Cup quarter-finals

The rest of the world has seen its share of spots shoot up, but this tournament could still end up with all-European semi-finals.

Teary Argentina, Messi face World Cup’s last Cinderella team in quarter-finals

Switzerland have not qualified for the last eight since 1954, when they were hosts, and have never advanced to the semi-finals.

France face Morocco in 2022 World Cup semis rematch as quarter-finals kick off

Match between tournament’s form team and African champions the pick of final-eight line-up, with race for Golden Boot an intriguing subplot.

World Cup while you were sleeping: VAR robs Egypt, Messi magic saves Argentina

Another day, another example of VAR not being used properly. Argentina escape potential upset, while Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties.

Editorial | A stacked sporting calendar gives Hong Kong the winning edge