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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

(COMBO) This combination of files photos created on July 12, 2026, shows France’s forward #10 Kylian Mbappe in Foxborough on July 9, 2026 (L); and Spain’s forward #19 Lamine Yamal in Arlington on July 6, 2026. France and Spain will meet in a 2026 World Cup semi-finall football match at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on July 14, 2026. (Photo by Mauro PIMENTEL and Thomas COEX / AFP)

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.

2 hours ago

Fifa

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

14 Jul 2026 - 8:00AM

Hong Kong economy

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

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

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates celebrate their World Cup quarter-final victory over Switzerland. Photo: AFP

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

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

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

Harry Kane roars with delight after scoring a penalty in England’s 3-2 last-16 World Cup victory over Mexico. Photo: AP Photo

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

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

Kylian Mbappe (left) will be just one of many attacking weapons in the French team, while Ismael Saibari (right) has been Morocco's top scorer despite playing in midfield. Photo: AFP

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

Fifa

Argentina ‘not feeling pressure’ of being World Cup co-favourites, Messi to start

Defending champions face Mohamed Salah-led Egypt on Tuesday for a place in quarter-finals as Messi looks to reclaim lead in Golden Boot race.

7 Jul 2026 - 10:50PM

Belt and Road Initiative

Cabo Verde wows at World Cup – with an economic assist from China

From boots to building a stadium, China played a vital role in helping the West African nation qualify for football’s biggest tournament.

6 Jul 2026 - 9:00PM

Cabo Verde's football team arrive home in Praia yesterday from the United States and celebrate with their supporters despite their exit from the Fifa World Cup 2026 following a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Argentina. Photo: Reuters

Fifa World Cup 2026

Cabo Verde’s fairytale World Cup run wins hearts of Chinese football fans

Argentina also acknowledged the tiny nation off the coast of West Africa on their official Weibo account after the hard-fought victory.

4 Jul 2026 - 4:01PM

Cabo Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, surprised football fans again by pushing Argentina all the way to extra-time. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa World Cup 2026

Messi adds to World Cup goals tally as Argentina just survive Cabo Verde scare

Defending champions need extra-time before finally reaching last 16 after being pushed all the way in five-goal thriller.

4 Jul 2026 - 10:38AM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Cabo Verde ready for ‘match of our lives’ against Argentina at World Cup

Winner will face either Australia or Egypt, who have fitness concerns about talismanic former Liverpool player Mohamed Salah.

4 Jul 2026 - 10:46AM

China-EU relations

China’s Fifa fever, EU’s trade deadline: 7 global relations reads

From the Quad’s critical mineral agenda to Shein’s Paris ousting, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in June 2026.

1 Jul 2026 - 10:30PM

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring Argentina’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match against Jordan. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

While you were sleeping

World Cup while you were sleeping: Haaland’s inevitable, Mbappe unstoppable

Erling Haaland powers Norway into the last 16, Kylian Mbappe double eases France past Sweden, and Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman resigns.

1 Jul 2026 - 7:05AM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Messi makes more World Cup history, Iran out after Algeria, Austria thriller

Lionel Messi adds to his goals tally as Argentina beat Jordan, while last-second equaliser saves Austria in six-goal draw.

28 Jun 2026 - 12:24PM

While you were sleeping

World Cup while you were sleeping: England, Ronaldo v Messi, Scotland boss quits

England top Group L with victory over Panama, while Croatia finish second. Later, Portugal take on Colombia and DR Congo face Uzbekistan.

28 Jun 2026 - 8:05AM

Jude Bellingham gets a hug from Morgan Rogers after scoring England’s first against Panama. Photo: Reuters

Fifa World Cup 2026

Haaland’s hairbands: the latest must-have for star-struck Chinese football fans

Norway star’s popularity in China has soared on the back of goalscoring exploits and play persona on mainland social media.

28 Jun 2026 - 8:06AM

Norway fans dressed up as star striker Erling Haaland pose for a photographer after their side’s World Cup Group I clash with France. Photo: AP

Fifa World Cup 2026

World Cup while you were sleeping: Haaland dropped, France win, James injury scare

Erling Haaland is left on the bench and Kylian Mbappe goes goalless, as Ousmane Dembele hat-trick helps France thrash Norway 4-1.

27 Jun 2026 - 7:00AM

Fifa

Fifa World Cup: in-form Mbappe, Haaland to clash as France face Norway in decider

Real Madrid star and Manchester City striker are joint-second in the race for the Golden Boot with four goals apiece.

26 Jun 2026 - 11:00PM

United States

With no team in World Cup, Chinese fans root for Ronaldo, Messi … and a referee

Chinese team has not played in tournament for 24 years, so supporters follow world’s two most famous players and a strict mainland official.

25 Jun 2026 - 8:35PMvideocam

Chinese football fan Zhai Yibo before the Portugal v DR Congo Fifa World Cup match at Portugal House in New York. Photo: Lucy Quaggin

Fifa World Cup 2026

Meet Messi’s wife Antonela Roccuzzo, an Instagram sensation in her own right

The pair met when they were kids and married in 2017 – they now have 3 sons, and she’s worked with Adidas, Alo Yoga and Dolce & Gabbana.

24 Jun 2026 - 12:35PM

Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo in May, celebrating the footballer’s collaboration with Adidas Football and Kith. Photo: @antonelaroccuzzo/Instagram

Fifa World Cup 2026

Fifa World Cup: results, group tables, fixtures and kick-off times

All you need to know about when your team is playing, who they could be facing in the next round and what time the matches take place.

23 Jun 2026 - 10:30PM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Fifa World Cup: Chinese companies hope to help Cabo Verde keeper cash in on fame

Vozinha, 40, has become an internet sensation after the tiny African nation’s unbeaten run so far, and could earn millions from various deals.

23 Jun 2026 - 7:00PM

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