lionel messi

Lay's, soccer icon Lionel Messi team up for LTO packaging

Lay's continues to celebrate soccer by tapping "Chip Shot" Legend Lionel Messi for a new commercial, a consumer sweepstakes, and limited-edition commemorative Lay's packaging.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi vows to return stronger after Inter Miami's soccer playoff exit

Lionel Messi said Inter Miami will get ready to "come back stronger next year" after the Herons' upset loss to Atlanta United in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.





lionel messi

Messi Has His Own Space Scooter Game - People all over the world can play a new game with Lionel Messi

People all over the world can play on their smartphone or tablet a new game where five-time FIFA World Player Award winner Lionel Messi should overcome various missions. Messi jumps over rocks, bridges and other obstacles, makes somersaults, stoops to drive through tunnels and is dodging rockets and monsters. Of course he is allowed to shoot balls to get a free passage.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi: Inter Miami will be ‘my last club’

Lionel Messi confirms Inter Miami will be his final club, focusing on enjoying the last chapter of his career




lionel messi

Lionel Messi scores but Inter Miami suffer stunning first-round elimination from MLS playoffs




lionel messi

World Cup loving cat named after Argentina captain Lionel Messi has a new home thanks to the Daily Echo

HE has found the purr-fect home thanks to some help from the Daily Echo.




lionel messi

Man Utd want fresh Jadon Sancho terms, Chelsea 'new Lionel Messi' transfer, Arsenal U-turn



All the latest rumours and gossip coming out of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi goal vs Real Madrid most viewed of all-time as Ronaldo and Bale make top 15



Lionel Messi boasts the most viewed goal on YouTube, according to a new study that has analysed the most iconic strikes on the internet.




lionel messi

Barcelona's Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona's talisman tells us about his appetite for goals.




lionel messi

Barcelona star Lionel Messi denies paying Ronaldinho bail money and dismisses Inter Milan transfer talk

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has taken to Instagram to dismiss a report claiming he will sign for Inter Milan in the summer... and that he paid bail money to get former teammate Ronaldinho out of prison.




lionel messi

Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona latest: 'Big chance' Inter Milan striker will join Lionel Messi, says agent

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has a "big chance" of joining Lionel Messi at Barcelona this summer, one of his agents has said.




lionel messi

Barcelona signing Francisco Trincao: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are my idols

Barcelona's January signing Francisco Trincao says Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are his idols – and revealed his excitement about linking up with the Argentine at Camp Nou.




lionel messi

Bruno Fernandes compares Manchester United teammate Paul Pogba to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Bruno Fernandes insists critics are guilty of forgetting just how good Manchester United teammate Paul Pogba is - insisting he deals with the same level of expectation as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi will finish his career at Barcelona, says coach Quique Setien

Barcelona coach Quique Setien says he is sure Lionel Messi will finish his career at Camp Nou.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? Wayne Rooney only has one answer in 'GOAT' debate

In the eternal debate over whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest footballer of all time, Wayne Rooney is not letting friendship get in the way.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi wants Neymar back so Barcelona can 'win everything', says former president Sandro Rosell

Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell says Lionel Messi wants Neymar back at Camp Nou because he is smart and wants to win every trophy.




lionel messi

Cesc Fabregas 'fully confident' Lionel Messi will see out career at Barcelona

Former Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas says he is "fully confident" that Lionel Messi will see out the rest of his career at the Nou Camp.




lionel messi

Jose Mourinho ranks Brazilian Ronaldo over Cristiano and Lionel Messi in GOAT debate

Jose Mourinho has named Ronaldo as the best player he has seen – just not the one you might expect.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi's career changed after my advice at Barcelona, says Samuel Eto'o

In that time, Messi has gone from a shy, talented teenager to a six-time Ballon d'Or winner and the world's highest-paid player, but Eto'o said: "He hasn't changed at all. He's still the good person that I knew back then, and that I still know.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona 'whatever happens', says Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is certain that Argentina team-mate Lionel Messi will stay at Barcelona – whatever happens at the Catalan club.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi scored his first Barcelona goal 15 years ago today

May 1, 2005 is a date for the history books – a day when everything changed for FC Barcelona as a 17-year-old Lionel Messi scored his first official goal for the Catalan club.




lionel messi

Where are they now? Barcelona's starting XI the day Lionel Messi scored his first LaLiga goal

Friday marked 15 years since Lionel Messi hit his very first goal for Barcelona.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi is not a natural goalscorer, argues Tim Sherwood

Tim Sherwood has suggested Lionel Messi is not a 'natural goalscorer', insisting talent in football can only be nurtured.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi has 'five to seven good years' left at Barcelona, predicts Xavi

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez believes Lionel Messi can continue at the top level for five to seven years.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi blamed for Philippe Coutinho's Barcelona failure by Rivaldo

Lionel Messi is largely to blame for Philippe Coutinho's failure to succeed at Barcelona, according to club legend Rivaldo.




lionel messi

Barcelona boss Quique Setien dons mask and gloves as Lionel Messi and fellow stars return to training

Barcelona's players returned to training on Friday after medical tests conducted earlier this week.




lionel messi

Liverpool's Andy Robertson admits regret over 'disrespecting' Lionel Messi: 'I ruffled his hair a wee bit'

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has spoken of how he once ruffled Lionel Messi's hair and regrets being "disrespectful" to the Barcelona star.




lionel messi

Wenger tips English youngster to overtake Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes England could produce football's next superstar to take over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - but Kylian Mbappe is the front-runner




lionel messi

Lionel Messi told he hasn't reached same level since Pep Guardiola quit Barca

Messi won FIFA's Best Player of the Year award in 2019, as well as his sixth Ballon d'Or, though Barcelona have not achieved the same level of success in recent years that they did on Guardiola's watch




lionel messi

Messi Has His Own Space Scooter Game - People all over the world can play a new game with Lionel Messi

People all over the world can play on their smartphone or tablet a new game where five-time FIFA World Player Award winner Lionel Messi should overcome various missions. Messi jumps over rocks, bridges and other obstacles, makes somersaults, stoops to drive through tunnels and is dodging rockets and monsters. Of course he is allowed to shoot balls to get a free passage.




lionel messi

A tattoo of Lionel Messi is seen on the lower leg of one of the Argentinian back room staff

CALI, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 28: A tattoo of Lionel Messi is seen on the lower leg of one of the Argentinian back room staff during the FIFA Futsal World Cup Semi Final match between Argentina and Portugal at the Coliseo el Pueblo Stadium on September 28, 2016 in Cali, Colombia. (Photo by Ian MacNicol - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)




lionel messi

Cristiano Ronaldo not at Lionel Messi's level: David Beckham

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder David Beckham rates Barcelona's Lionel Messi higher than Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo succeeded Beckham as Manchester United's No. 7 before arriving at Real Madrid two years after the England captain left the Spanish giants.

Beckham has also experience of playing against a young Lionel Messi in the latter's initial years with Barcelona and faced him once while he was playing for Paris St Germain. "He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him," Beckham told Telam.


David Beckham

"He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest." Beckham recalled his last match against Barcelona in the quarter-final of the 2013 Champions League. PSG were ahead at one stage at Camp Nou when Messi came on as a substitute. Eventually, Pedro scored and Barca went through on the away goals rule.

"We were leading before Messi came in, and once he came in, Barcelona scored," Beckham said. He was 37 years old by then and ended his illustrious playing career at the end of the season but Beckham said that he did not enjoy losing that tie.

"Although I enjoyed playing at that level at my age, I do not like to lose. Our team played well. In both matches, we did things we should be proud of. We didn't lose against Barcelona, and that is something that should motivate us," he said.

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lionel messi

Did you know Lionel Messi pays tribute to his grandma after every goal?

The Argentine forward is a true superstar of the game and one of the most famous players on the planet, but here are some things you might not already know about him.

1. He has scored at least seven goals against every other La Liga Santander team
All LaLiga teams naturally fear Messi when he comes up against them, with the No.10 having netted at least seven times against all 19 of the other sides currently in the top division. His favourite victim is Sevilla, against whom he has a whopping 37 goals in 38 appearances. Over his career, he has faced 40 different clubs in the Spanish top flight, with only three yet to concede against him: Cadiz, Murcia and Xerez.

2. He first played with fellow Barcelona captain Gerard Pique in 2000
Messi and his current Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique have spent most of their footballing lives together. They were both in the same team in Barcelona’s La Masia academy, along with Cesc Fàbregas – part of the so-called “generation of ‘87” and conquered almost every challenge in their path. It was clear from that early age that these players would go on to achieve great things and, although Pique spent time at Manchester United and Real Zaragoza before returning to Barcelona, they have both been in the Blaugrana first-team squad together since 2008, playing 471 matches together. Messi has only played more often alongside Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta.

3. He pays tributes to his grandmother after every goal
The sight of Messi pointing towards the sky with both hands after scoring a goal has become an almost weekly occurrence in LaLiga but not many people know its meaning. It is in fact a tribute to Grandmother Celia, who Messi credits with sparking his interest in football and supporting him as he took his first steps in the game. Sadly, she passed away in 1998 and never saw him play at the top level, but his iconic celebration ensures that her spirit lives on.  

4. He could have played for Spain at international level
Messi has represented Argentina throughout his international career, but he could have been wearing the red of Spain had he accepted an offer to join the national team of the country where he has spent his entire professional career. After spending his childhood in Barcelona, he was eligible to play for the 2010 world champions, but Messi says the idea never crossed his mind. The rest, as they say, is history as he has gone on to become Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 70 goals.   

5. His footballing idol was Pablo Aimar
Many up-and-coming players consider Messi as a role model, but it’s easy to forget that he had an idol growing up too, just like any other aspiring footballer. His was fellow Argentina and former Valencia and Real Zaragoza playmaker Pablo Aimar. They faced each other in LaLiga on several occasions, including on one special night in 2004 when Aimar came up to the 17-year-old Messi, an unused sub on the night, after the game to offer him his shirt. He still treasures that jersey to this day. 

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Neymar on Lionel Messi: When I needed the most support, he gave me a hand

Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi has often spoken about the liking he has had for former teammate Neymar and the Brazilian has now revealed how one of the greatest footballers to have played the beautiful game always had his back at the La Liga club.

"Honestly, it's difficult, very difficult for me to talk about Messi, because it was very special for me at Barcelona, I say this to everybody," he told Rede Globo's Esporte Espetacular.

"At the moment when I needed the most support, the best player in the world arrived and gave me a hand. He said: 'Come here, I'm here to help you.'" Messi had earlier spoken about how he is still in touch with Neymar and it will be slightly difficult for him to make a return to the club from Paris Saint-Germain.

"We talk to Neymar often. We still have a WhatsApp group with Luis (Suarez)", Messi told Argentina's Radio Metro, as quoted by ESPNFC.

"It's difficult for him to come back, as he left here, many club members and people do not want him to come back. From a sporting point of view he would be wonderful, but the other view is also understandable. It is a bit difficult," Messi had said.

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lionel messi

Xavi Hernandez believes Lionel Messi can play in Qatar 2022 World Cup

Former Barcelona player Xavi Hernandez is certain of ex-teammate Lionel Messi featuring in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as he said that the Argentine has still got "five or seven very good years left in him".

"He's still got five or seven very good years left in him," Goal.com quoted Xavi as saying during an Instagram chat with another ex-Barca forward, Samuel Eto'o.

"He takes good care of himself and he can keep playing until he's 37, 38 or 39. He'll play at the Qatar World Cup, I'm sure," he added.

The 32-year-old Messi scored 24 goals this season in all competitions before coronavirus pandemic brought the football season to a standstill.

Xavi also expressed his desire to manage Barcelona saying that it is his dream to coach the club.

"In January, it wasn't the right moment. I had conversations with Eric Abidal [Barcelona's sporting director] and Oscar Grau [Barcelona chief executive] and a big offer, but it wasn't the right moment. I need a bit more experience. Coaching Barcelona is my dream. I'd like to do it one day. I've said that many times," he said.

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lionel messi

Lionel Messi 'begged Neymar to return to Barcelona after semi-final defeat by Liverpool'

Lionel Messi begged Neymar to return to Barcelona after their embarrassing 4-0 defeat by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final last season according to France Football. 




lionel messi

Lionel Messi wins record sixth Ballon d'Or as he edges out Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD IN PARIS: It was a mixed for Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk was pipped to the Ballon d'Or by six-time winner Lionel Messi, but Alisson was crowned the world's best goalkeeper.




lionel messi

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi make the cut but who else does? Europe's best XI of the decade

Messi and Ronaldo dominated world football and were on a whole different level. But who else stood out? Sportsmail picks the best XI players from LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi wants Neymar and Lautaro Martinez to sign for Barcelona in the summer

Lionel Messi wants both Neymar and Lautaro Martinez to join Barcelona. The Argentine legend is spoke openly about his desire for Neymar to return.




lionel messi

Barcelona stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Gerard Pique urge Josep Bartomeu to re-sign Neymar

Neymar continues to be linked with a return to the Nou Camp following his world-record £198million move in the summer of 2017 to French giants PSG, where he has struggled to settle in.




lionel messi

Jadon Sancho turns 20 with better stats as a teenager than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

ADRIAN KAJUMBA: At the time, when he was still a much lesser-known schoolboy in his early days at Manchester City, it was a description that made Jadon Sancho sound almost too good to be true.




lionel messi

Coronavirus: Barcelona are furloughing staff despite Lionel Messi and Co's big pay cuts

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Barcelona rushed to furlough their non-playing staff before waiting to see if the season would resume and despite Lionel Messi and Co taking massive pay cuts.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi holds all the cards in his battle with Barca's board - and he was never going to Inter

PETE JENSON: As doubts begin to be cast over the likelihood that Barcelona can really re-sign Neymar this summer, attention inevitably hones in on Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi WILL sign new Barcelona contract, says former Nou Camp vice-president Emili Rousaud

Rousaud, along with five other officials, resigned from the board last week in protest at how president Josep Maria Bartomeu was running operations. But he has now spoken out about Messi's future.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann are ready for first outing as the new 'Big Three'

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Barcelona hope to unveil their new fantastic forward line to the world this week with Lionel Messi back to fitness and Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez already involved.




lionel messi

Lionel Messi is the only man who can save under-fire Ernesto Valverde again

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Considering it happened almost five months ago it's amazing how often Barcelona's Liverpool nightmare gets mentioned by the club fans, players and directors.




lionel messi

Barcelona 4-0 Sevilla: Lionel Messi bags his first goal of the season

PETE JENSON: Barcelona eased to a 4-0 win against Sevilla on Sunday night with Lionel Messi scoring his first goal of the season. The injury-hit forward scored a late free-kick.




lionel messi

Fans heap praise on Lionel Messi after Barcelona man assists Luis Suarez against Eibar

Fans have lauded the genius of Lionel Messi after the Barcelona star displayed his selflessness in laying the ball onto team-mate Luis Suarez in Saturday's La Liga win over Eibar.




lionel messi

Slavia Prague 1-2 Barcelona: Lionel Messi scores 113th Champions League goal in narrow win

SLAVIA PRAGUE 1-2 BARCELONA: Lionel Messi scored his 113th Champions League goal as Barcelona beat Slavia Prague to tighten their grip on Group F to move three points clear of Inter Milan.