Lionel Messi returns to action for Argentina on Friday against their arch rivals Brazil in what will be his first international since being banned for three months after claiming referees were 'corrupt'.

Lionel Messi rarely needs a second invitation to score but that is exactly what he got as he scored from the rebound of his missed penalty to ensure Argentina beat Brazil out in Saudi Arabia.

Lionel Messi praised Argentina's work ethic after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Brazil on his return to international football following a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL.

Lionel Messi will be hoping to strike again on Monday night following his winner against Brazil on Friday. Messi marked his return from a three-month ban for by scoring in a 1-0 win over Brazil.

Lionel Messi has a chance to win the Copa America on his own turf next summer - but Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni says the competition will be about more than just the Barcelona star.

The world's most expensive ever footballer, Neymar, completes the top three as footballers dominate the podium spots of Forbes list of the 100 highest paid athletes .

Over the last 10 years we have seen astonishing increases in the amount of money poured into sports, but which stars have benefitted the most? Sporstmail looks at the decade's biggest earners.

Lionel Messi missed out on top spot after injuries, Cristiano Ronaldo closed in on a remarkable international feat and Raheem Sterling was deadly - who have 2019's most prolific strikers been?

Argentina and Lionel Messi's tournament woes have continued at this summer's Copa America after failing to win their opening two matches of the campaign.

The Argentine superstar was spotted dribbing through posts on Friday as he prepares for LaLiga to resume. Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez were back at it.

The evergreen pair of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may continue to defy the laws of time but a changing of the guard has started to emerge at football's elite level.

David Alaba believes that Bayern Munich teammate Robert Lewandowski should be rated alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best player's in the world. 

Former Argentina forward Diego Maradona suggested Lionel Messi was 'in decline' after Barcelona's 1-1 draw in the Champions League against his old side on Tuesday evening.

The Barcelona captain scored from the penalty spot with nine minutes remaining to give his side all three points, and in doing so scored his 438th La Liga goal in his 474th appearance.

Brazil legend Pele has added his opinion about who is the current world's best between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi - with the three-time World Cup winner plumping for the former.

Pele this week said that he believes Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi, a view that goes a long way in strengthening the Portuguese's case. But what have other legends made of the rivalry?

Former Real Madrid and AC Milan star Kaka believes Lionel Messi is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo. This came as a surprise as the former Brazil international played with Ronaldo.

Xavivplayed with both during his career at Barcelona, with Messi essentially replacing Ronaldinho as the star player upon Pep Guardiola's arrival as manager in 2008.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are widely regarded as the two biggest stars in world football. Though Roberto Mancini has claimed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 'on the same level'.

Real Madrid had publicly courted Ronaldo throughout the 2008-09 season and shattered the transfer record that summer by paying £80m to bring the Portuguese star to the Bernabeu.

A tricky game has been sweeping social media in which you are challenged to select a World XI, who you've seen play, but with no two players having represented the same club or country.

Sadio Mane had an ally in Lionel Messi after being 'left with a bitter taste' by Jurgen Klopp's decision to back Virgil van Dijk for last year's Ballon d'Or.

Neymar worked under Unai Emery in his first season at Paris Saint-Germain after completing a world record £200m move to the French club from Barcelona in the summer of 2017.

The Argentine full-back was one of the last signings made by the club prior to the new owners, arriving just days before the Abu Dhabi buyout was confirmed in September 2008.

Former Barcelona star Neymar has shown signs of missing his old side by instantly picking ex-strike partners Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in his dream five-a-side-team.

The pair have competed against each other for the biggest prizes in the game. Now Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been tipped to join forces in the MLS at David Beckham's Inter Miami.

Much has been written about Manchester United's Class of 92... but they are perhaps rivalled in Spain by Barcelona's equivalent - Lionel Messi and his Class of 03. We take a look at where they are now...

David Beckham believes his Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami have a chance of signing Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the years to come.

David Beckham did not need players, a stadium or even a name to make headlines. Even his involvement in setting up a franchise in MLS was enough to get tongues wagging.

Beckham, who came up against Messi during his brief stint at Paris Saint-Germain, insists it is 'impossible' that any player comes close to matching the diminutive Argentine's talent.

Lionel Messi has won it all for Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League's but an international honour with Argentina continues to elude him.

Australia's most famous ice cream chain is giving away free chocolate-chip cookie pies with every Deliveroo order over $32 from 5pm on Friday, April 17. And the best part is, you can bake it at home.

THE NUMBERS GAME: After being named in the Premier League’s Team of the Year for four successive seasons, the simple stuff suddenly seems to be posing problems for De Gea.

THE NUMBERS GAME - KIERAN GILL: A cold wet Wednesday night in Stoke has long been the benchmark when it came to the question of whether Lionel Messi could deliver in England.

CHARLIE SKILLEN: Who is the best Premier League player of all time? It's a debate that has possibly filled more hours than any other, from expert TV panels to barstool bores in pubs everywhere in the country.

The Argentina international is on the verge of entering the final year of his contract at the Nou Camp and Inter Milan have been linked with a sensational move for him.

Current Derby player-coach Rooney set aside his personal friendship with Juventus talisman Ronaldo and reasoned that Messi is the better player due to his ability to 'torture' his opponents.

With LaLiga ramping up their plans to resume the season next month, stars from both clubs were allowed to finally get back to their respective training bases on Wednesday.

PSG forward Angel Di Maria has lined up alongside some of the best players in the history of the game, but he believes Argentina team-mate and Barcelona icon Lionel Messi is the greatest. 

Current Derby player-coach Rooney set aside his personal friendship with Juventus talisman Ronaldo and reasoned that Messi is the better player due to his ability to 'torture' his opponents.

Jose Mourinho believes Lionel Messi is not the greatest player of all time, and not even a man-of-the-match performance in the World Cup final will change that.

Neymar has admitted he will be supporting Brazil’s bitter rivals Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final. The injured superstar gave a press conference two days after his side were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the last four.

IAN LADYMAN AT THE MARACANA: Lionel Messi played well enough for 90 minutes, but when the defining chance came early in the second half he couldn’t take it.

And then there was one, Germany the winners of Brazil 2014 following their victory over Argentina in the final at the Maracana. But what about the other numbers to emerge from the finals?

Jose Mourinho says Lionel Messi should not be considered the scapegoat after Argentina's World Cup final defeat to Germany.

Diego Maradona took a swipe at Lionel Messi the day after his World Cup heartache by insisting the heir to his throne didn't deserve to win the Golden Ball award.

Lionel Messi's crowning as the World Cup's outstanding player shocked some prominent figures, but without his individual brilliance Argentina's goals dried up.

SPONSORED: Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez have lit up the summer with their silky skills and fabulous flair... but back home these football freestylers have impressed on a special pitch in east London.

Liverpool defender Joel Matip has revealed how he unintentionally ended up spending time with Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi at his lowest ebb.

Messi was the star in the first leg tie at the Nou Camp, scoring two goals as the Catalans looked to have booked their place in the final with a convincing 3-0 victory.